Cellulose-Aleuritic Acid Esters: Bioplastic Development From Plant Cellulose

Country: Germany Italy Spain

Application

• Development of biodegradable, hydrophobic bioplastics for packaging and coatings.
• Use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries as sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics.

Description

The project focuses on the synthesis of cellulose-aleuritic acid esters from plant cellulose through a mixed anhydride system, utilizing microcrystalline cellulose and aleuritic acid. The resulting bioplastics exhibit improved mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and solubility, making them suitable for various applications. The project explores the effects of aleuritic acid content on the thermal, mechanical, and solubility characteristics of the bioplastics, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers. These materials show promising potential for use in coatings, packaging, and other eco-friendly applications.

Pathway Description:

The process used in this project involves the acylation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with aleuritic acid through a mixed anhydride system. This method uses trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (TFAA) in a chloroform co-solvent system. The reaction results in the formation of cellulose aleuritate esters with varying degrees of substitution. The final bioplastics are characterized by their improved hydrophobicity, solubility, and mechanical properties.