DIALDEHYDE STARCH AND ZEIN PLASTIC - MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES AND BIODEGRADABILITY

Dialdehyde starch (DAS) and zein, a hydrophobic corn protein, were investigated to produce biodegradable plastics with improved water resistance and mechanical properties. In the study, dialdehyde starch and zein ratio, plasticizers, and degree of starch oxidation were examined. Increased molding temperature and level of starch oxidation decreased water absorption of the plastic. Tensile strength and Young's modulus increased with starch oxidation. The biodegradation of starting materials and ground plastic specimens was studied in aerobic soil reactors maintained at 25 degrees C for 180 days. Biodegradation of corn starch, zein, and dialdehyde starch for 180 days produced CO2 equivalent to 64, 63, and 10% of theoretical carbon, respectively. Specimens of molded DAS and zein (3:1) plastic showed accelerated CO2 evolution compared to DAS and other raw materials alone. By 180 days, specimens made with starch of low oxidation (1 and 5% oxidized) demonstrated a 60% biodegradation, and specimens with highly oxidized starch (90% oxidized) achieved 37% biodegradation.