Reactive extrusion of zein with glyoxal and polyethylene maleic anhydride

Authors: Selling, Gordon

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2017
Publication Date: 4/2/2017
Citation: Selling, G.W. 2017. Reactive extrusion of zein with glyoxal and polyethylene maleic anhydride [abstract]. American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition, April 2-6, 2017, San Francisco, CA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In order for zein, a potentially significant co-product of the bio-ethanol industry, to be used in new markets, improved zein based products are needed. These products need to be produced by the most economical means possible, and extrusion techniques meet these requirements. It has been shown that the processing window for zein on an extruder is quite large, up to 160°C. This suggests that various reactive reagents can be employed to provide a modified zein protein using reactive extrusion techniques. We will report on our efforts to modify zein using either glyoxal or polyethylene maleic anhydride (PEMA) in solution and in the melt state. As PEMA is polymeric, it is orders of magnitude safer than other crosslinking technologies. The zein modification was undertaken in melt batch processes using reactive extrusion. Final melt processed articles were produced by compression molding and by injection molding. The articles produced had improved physical properties and improved solvent resistance.