Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Journal of Polymers and the Environment https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-017-1158-3 ORIGINAL PAPER Potential of pinhão Coat as Constituents of Starch Based Films Using Modifcation Techniques Jordana C. Spada 1  · Cláudia L. Luchese 1  · Isabel C. Tessaro 1 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2017 Abstract The potential of lignocellulosic fbers obtained by dry grinding of pinhão coat as fllers in starch flmogenic solutions for packaging applications was evaluated in this work. To improve the incorporation of this waste into the starch solutions dif- ferent physical and chemical treatments were conducted. Thereafter, morphology, chemical structure, crystallinity and water absorption of the pinhão coat powders were determined. The composites were also characterized regarding their morphol- ogy, chemical structure, crystallinity, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability and hydrophilicity. Poor fber/matrix adhesion and high water absorption of the fbers were evidenced. Consequently, water vapor permeability of composites was increased by incorporating the fbers. Moreover, mechanical properties were improved and the morphological results were used to support the water absorption diferences among the powders. Regarding the food packaging applications, starch/pinhão coat composites appeared as promising materials to reach the requirements of respiring food products. Keywords Cassava starch · Film · Fiber · Pinhão · Waste Introduction Recent environmental regulations, societal concerns and growing environmental awareness throughout the world have triggered the eforts in plastic industry to develop new products and processes that cause less or no harm to the environment. Most of the petroleum based plastics used for food packaging are non-degradable and it causes many envi- ronmental problems associated with their disposal, including damage to the environment eco-system, water supplies, and sewer systems as well as to the rivers and streams. Moreover, they are non-renewable and their use is leading to deple- tion of petroleum resources. In view of these serious issues posed by non-biodegradable synthetic plastics, there has been an expanding search for alternative packaging materi- als in place of synthetic ones. These new materials must be efectively competitive with their non-renewable and non-biodegradable counterparts in terms of both the over- all cost and physical properties. Biodegradable polymers constitute a defned family of polymers that are designed to degrade through the action of living organisms. Typical biodegradable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactic acid), polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(hydroxy-3-butyrate-co-3-valerate) (PHBV), and aliphatic polyesters, such as poly(butylene succinate) and poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) are com- mercially available. However, the costs of these fully degra- dable materials derived from renewable natural resources, that ranges between 5 and 8 U$/kg, are comparatively higher than non-degradable polymeric plastics (1 U$/kg) [1]. Taking into account this information, starch has been considered one of the most promising natural renewable resources because of its lower cost (0.5–2.5 U$/kg) apart from other advantages such as: biodegradability, thermoplas- tic behavior and availability in more abundance than other natural resources. Films developed from starch are described as isotropic, odorless, tasteless, colorless, non-toxic and bio- logically degradable. However, the application of starch flm is limited by its poor mechanical and water vapor barrier properties. One strategy to improve the mechanical proper- ties while maintaining the full biodegradability of the mate- rials and reducing the fnal cost of materials is to mix it with low cost lignocellulosic fbers such as spruce and ground * Jordana C. Spada jcorralospada@yahoo.com.br 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Ramiro Barcelos Street, 2777, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul 90035-007, Brazil