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Abstract One of the main problems caused by intensive agriculture, is the consequent water pollution resulting from fertilizer leaching, especially as a result of fertilizers overuse. Therefore, in the present study an evaluation of the... more
Abstract One of the main problems caused by intensive agriculture, is the consequent water pollution resulting from fertilizer leaching, especially as a result of fertilizers overuse. Therefore, in the present study an evaluation of the efficiency of different urea controlled-release systems, based on cassava starch and bagasse, over tomato plants growth was carried out. All fertilized systems showed a tendency towards a greater general development, photosynthetic pigments content and nitrogen status of the plant. However, significant differences were observed regarding macronutrient dosage, being unsupported biocomposite films with 25 wt.% urea content the systems with a better performance. Thus, an ecofriendly, efficient and easy to implement urea dosage alternative system for greenhouse seedling has been developed.
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Research Interests: Biochemistry, Evolutionary Biology, Materials Science, Inorganic Chemistry, Developmental Biology, and 15 moreBiotechnology, Ecology, Infectious Diseases, Biocomposites, Medicine, Biodegradable, Biocomposite, Composite Material, Bagasse, Chemical Composition, Filler Materials, Ciencias Exactas, Compuestos, Cassava Starch, and Degradation process
Research Interests: Materials Science, Organic Chemistry, Starch, Medicine, Ingenieria y ciencias de los Materiales, and 14 morePermeability, Composite Material, Thermoplastic starch, Thermogravimetry, Zea mays, Food Sciences, STEAM, Elsevier, Pachyrhizus, Tensile Strength, Chitosan Biocomposite Films, Carbohydrate Polymers, Ultimate Tensile Strength, and Compression Molding
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Composites development, by incorporating organic or mineral fillers to starch matrices, can be used to improve their final properties. Accordingly, composites of different starch matrices reinforced with organic fillers, as well as, with... more
Composites development, by incorporating organic or mineral fillers to starch matrices, can be used to improve their final properties. Accordingly, composites of different starch matrices reinforced with organic fillers, as well as, with mineral particles are described in this chapter. In this sense, it was reported, among others, the use of cellulose fibers from different botanical origins and clays particles. Nowadays, both academic and industrial interest in nanoscale fillers is growing since a nanostructured composite could be developed from a polymeric matrix and layered mineral particles. Thus, in this chapter is also included the development of nanocomposites based on thermoplastic starch and talc nanoparticles from different geological origins and morphologies. Processing methods and structural and final properties of composites are described.
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Los materiales poliméricos abarcan un amplio abanico de compuestos tanto naturales (proteínas, almidones, etc.) como sintéticos (polietilenos, poliuretanos, resinas epoxy, etc.) cuya versatilidad y fácil procesamiento los ha vuelto... more
Los materiales poliméricos abarcan un amplio abanico de compuestos tanto naturales (proteínas, almidones, etc.) como sintéticos (polietilenos, poliuretanos, resinas epoxy, etc.) cuya versatilidad y fácil procesamiento los ha vuelto adecuados para un gran número de aplicaciones industriales. A raíz de la creciente necesidad de mitigar las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, reducir la acumulación de residuos sólidos y disminuir el consumo de recursos no renovables, el interés en el desarrollo de materiales biodegradables y/o de fuentes renovables (denominados en inglés bio-based) ha crecido fuertemente en las últimas décadas. Si bien el reemplazo de plásticos convencionales por sustitutos biodegradables constituye una solución parcial para atenuar el daño medioambiental susodicho representa un pilar fundamental hacía el desarrollo de una economía circular, siendo necesario además la implementación de políticas de concientización social que promuevan una actitud más responsable ...
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Food loss and waste occur for many reasons, from crop processing to household leftovers. Even though some waste generation is unavoidable, a considerable amount is due to supply chain inefficiencies and damage during transport and... more
Food loss and waste occur for many reasons, from crop processing to household leftovers. Even though some waste generation is unavoidable, a considerable amount is due to supply chain inefficiencies and damage during transport and handling. Packaging design and materials innovations represent real opportunities to reduce food waste within the supply chain. Besides, changes in people’s lifestyles have increased the demand for high-quality, fresh, minimally processed, and ready-to-eat food products with extended shelf-life, that need to meet strict and constantly renewed food safety regulations. In this regard, accurate monitoring of food quality and spoilage is necessary to diminish both health hazards and food waste. Thus, this work provides an overview of the most recent advances in the investigation and development of food packaging materials and design with the aim to improve food chain sustainability. Enhanced barrier and surface properties as well as active materials for food c...
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Plastic mulch is used in various crops production in order to increase yield, extend growing season, weed control, increase fertilizers efficiency and improve soil conditions. However, since such plastics removal and disposal represent... more
Plastic mulch is used in various crops production in order to increase yield, extend growing season, weed control, increase fertilizers efficiency and improve soil conditions. However, since such plastics removal and disposal represent not only an additional cost, but also a source of environmental pollution, interest in starch-based materials as a viable alternative for this and other agricultural applications has raised in the last years. In this regard, films based on starch present several advantages: biodegradability, renewable-resource based and relatively low cost. The present work exhibit the results obtained in the development and study of biodegradable materials based on cassava starch reinforced with cassava bagasse, evaluating their biodegradability in soil and the effects of their exposure to UV -visible light cycles (photo-periods) for 60 days. Fibre inclusion resulted in more opaque and coloured films, with water vapour permeability a 53% higher, and increased maximum...
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Blueberries are highly appreciated for their high antioxidant content but are also particularly susceptible to fungal deterioration. In this work, corn starch and chitosan, byproducts of the fishing industry, as well as active compounds... more
Blueberries are highly appreciated for their high antioxidant content but are also particularly susceptible to fungal deterioration. In this work, corn starch and chitosan, byproducts of the fishing industry, as well as active compounds obtained from citrus processing waste were used to obtain active biodegradable film packaging. Blueberries were packed in corn starch–chitosan (CS:CH) films and in active films containing lemon essential oil (LEO) or grapefruit seed extract (GSE). The effects of film packaging on the quality parameters of berries and the fungal incidence of disease during storage were studied and compared to benchmark materials. A conservation assay simulating transport and commercialization conditions was conducted. Blueberries packed in CS:CH films showed antioxidant capacity values closer to those packed in commercial PET containers (Clamshells), preserving 84.8% of the initial antioxidants content. Fruit packed in LEO films exhibited the greatest weight loss and ...
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Composites development, by incorporating organic or mineral fillers to starch matrices, can be used to improve their final properties. Accordingly, composites of different starch matrices reinforced with organic fillers, as well as, with... more
Composites development, by incorporating organic or mineral fillers to starch matrices, can be used to improve their final properties. Accordingly, composites of different starch matrices reinforced with organic fillers, as well as, with mineral particles are described in this chapter. In this sense, it was reported, among others, the use of cellulose fibers from different botanical origins and clays particles. Nowadays, both academic and industrial interest in nanoscale fillers is growing since a nanostructured composite could be developed from a polymeric matrix and layered mineral particles. Thus, in this chapter is also included the development of nanocomposites based on thermoplastic starch and talc nanoparticles from different geological origins and morphologies. Processing methods and structural and final properties of composites are described.
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Abstract One of the main problems caused by intensive agriculture, is the consequent water pollution resulting from fertilizer leaching, especially as a result of fertilizers overuse. Therefore, in the present study an evaluation of the... more
Abstract One of the main problems caused by intensive agriculture, is the consequent water pollution resulting from fertilizer leaching, especially as a result of fertilizers overuse. Therefore, in the present study an evaluation of the efficiency of different urea controlled-release systems, based on cassava starch and bagasse, over tomato plants growth was carried out. All fertilized systems showed a tendency towards a greater general development, photosynthetic pigments content and nitrogen status of the plant. However, significant differences were observed regarding macronutrient dosage, being unsupported biocomposite films with 25 wt.% urea content the systems with a better performance. Thus, an ecofriendly, efficient and easy to implement urea dosage alternative system for greenhouse seedling has been developed.
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Research Interests: Biochemistry, Evolutionary Biology, Materials Science, Inorganic Chemistry, Developmental Biology, and 15 moreMolecular Biology, Biotechnology, Ecology, Infectious Diseases, Biocomposites, Medicine, Biodegradable, Particle Size, Bagasse, Chemical Composition, Particle Size Distribution, Ciencias Exactas, Compuestos, Cassava Starch, and Degradation process
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Abstract The remaining fibrous residue of cassava starch extraction was characterized and used as film filler in order to obtain an enhanced fully biodegradable starch-based composite. Film-forming gelatinized cassava starch suspensions... more
Abstract The remaining fibrous residue of cassava starch extraction was characterized and used as film filler in order to obtain an enhanced fully biodegradable starch-based composite. Film-forming gelatinized cassava starch suspensions increased significantly their apparent viscosity and storage modulus with filler addition, although no segregation of filler particles was observed. Homogenous films were obtained from 3% w/w cassava starch film-forming suspensions including glycerol as plasticizer and the remaining fibrous residue. Plasticizer concentration was optimized in reinforced starch films. SEM micrographs evidenced that the filler was structurally incorporated in the matrix, although concentrations of 3% led to more heterogeneous surfaces because of the presence of large size filler particles. Reinforced films exhibited UV-barrier capacity and adequate water vapor barrier properties (14.6 ± 0.7 10−11 g/m s Pa) and tensile strength (18.01 ± 0.19 MPa) when 25% w/w glycerol was added as plasticizer. Filler addition reinforced the starch matrix increasing its mechanical resistance: 1.5% residue content increased over 900% the films elastic modulus. Furthermore, the obtained eco-compatible materials could be heat sealed, which indicates their suitability for packaging development. In conclusion, an integral approach to cassava roots use has been proposed, expanding its scope and providing added value to the remaining residue of starch extraction.
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The use of agroindustry by-products as reinforcements and/or composites filler is an innovative and economically attractive option that is still under study. Hence, the present work aims to study composite foams based on cassava-starch... more
The use of agroindustry by-products as reinforcements and/or composites filler is an innovative and economically attractive option that is still under study. Hence, the present work aims to study composite foams based on cassava-starch and sunflower oil press cake (SOPC), an oil industry by-product, using urea as an additive to enhance the biocomposites foaming capacity. Filler content (0, 20, and 40 wt%) and urea addition effect on foam morphology, physical properties and mechanical behaviour were analysed and compared to a benchmark polystyrene (PS) foam. In comparison with conventional PS foams, biofoams containing urea presented comparable mechanical properties yet higher hydrophilicity. Besides, formulations containing SOPC resulted in denser and harder materials and higher water uptake capacity than starch-based foams. Results provide further insights into biobased biodegradable foams development using agroindustrial residues as raw material and urea as foaming agent, with promising characteristics for food packaging.
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RESUMEN La utilización de plásticos de cobertura o mulching en diversos cultivos puede aumentar los rendimientos, extender la temporada de crecimiento, controlar malezas, aumentar la eficiencia de los fertilizantes y mejorar las... more
RESUMEN La utilización de plásticos de cobertura o mulching en diversos cultivos puede aumentar los rendimientos, extender la temporada de crecimiento, controlar malezas, aumentar la eficiencia de los fertilizantes y mejorar las condiciones del suelo. Sin embargo, luego de su uso son fuente de contaminación ambiental y su remoción genera un costo adicional. Para este fin y otras aplicaciones de interés agronómico el uso de películas a base de almidón es una alternativa viable debido a su biodegradabilidad, procedencia de un recurso renovable y relativo bajo costo. En el presente trabajo se exponen los resultados obtenidos en el desarrollo y estudio de materiales biodegradables a base de almidón de mandioca reforzados con el bagazo de la raíz, evaluando su biodegradabilidad en suelo y el efecto de la exposición de las mismas a ciclos de luz UV-visible (foto-períodos) durante 60 días. El agregado de fibra da lugar a películas más opacas y coloreadas, aumentó su permeabilidad al vapor ...
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Los materiales poliméricos abarcan un amplio abanico de compuestos tanto naturales (proteínas, almidones, etc.) como sintéticos (polietilenos, poliuretanos, resinas epoxy, etc.) cuya versatilidad y fácil procesamiento los ha vuelto... more
Los materiales poliméricos abarcan un amplio abanico de compuestos tanto naturales (proteínas, almidones, etc.) como sintéticos (polietilenos, poliuretanos, resinas epoxy, etc.) cuya versatilidad y fácil procesamiento los ha vuelto adecuados para un gran número de aplicaciones industriales. A raíz de la creciente necesidad de mitigar las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, reducir la acumulación de residuos sólidos y disminuir el consumo de recursos no renovables, el interés en el desarrollo de materiales biodegradables y/o de fuentes renovables (denominados en inglés bio-based) ha crecido fuertemente en las últimas décadas. Si bien el reemplazo de plásticos convencionales por sustitutos biodegradables constituye una solución parcial para atenuar el daño medioambiental susodicho representa un pilar fundamental hacía el desarrollo de una economía circular, siendo necesario además la implementación de políticas de concientización social que promuevan una actitud más responsable en el consumo y gestión de recursos, incentivando además el reciclado y la reutilización. En el presente trabajo de Tesis se desarrollaron y estudiaron materiales biodegradables y eco-compatibles a base de almidón de mandioca reforzadas con las fibras naturales provenientes del bagazo y la cáscara de la raíz, evaluando sus propiedades mecánicas, ópticas y de barrera. Considerando además distintos plastificantes y aditivos para funcionalizar la matriz, así como técnicas de procesamiento. Finalmente, se evaluó la potencialidad de los materiales obtenidos en aplicaciones agronómicas específicas como: cobertura de suelo y sistemas de liberación gradual de fertilizantes en la producción de plantines. A tal fin fue preciso evaluar la estabilidad de los materiales frente a distintas condiciones de almacenamiento, así como su biodegradación en suelo y las distintas formas de utilización del material.