Chitosan/Hydrophilic Plasticizer-Based Films: Preparation,Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties

The addition of plasticizers to biopolymer films is a good method for improving their physicochemical properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chitosan (CHI) blended with two hydrophilic plasticizers glycerol (GLY) and sorbitol (SOR), at two concentrations (20 and 40 wt%) on their mechanical, thermal, barrier, structural, morphological and antimicrobial properties. The chitosan was prepared through the alkaline deacetylation of chitin obtained from fermented lactic from shrimp heads. The obtained chitosan had a degree of deacetylation (DA) of 84 ± 2.7 and a molecular weight of 136 kDa, which indicated that a good film had formed. The films composed of CHI and GLY (20 wt%) exhibited the best mechanical properties compared to the neat chitosan film. The percentage of elongation at break increase to over 700 % in the films that contained 40 % GLY, and these films also exhibited the highest values for the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 79.6 ± 1.9 g m² h^?1 and a yellow color (b _o  = 17.9 ± 2.0) compared to the neat chitosan films (b _o  = 8.8 ± 0.8). For the structural properties, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed an interaction in the acetamide group and changes in the crystallinity of plasticized films. The scanning electron micrographs revealed that all formulations of the chitosan films were smooth, and that they did not contain aggregations, pores or microphase separation. The thermal analysis using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 130 °C for neat chitosan film, but the addition of SOR or GLY elicited a decrease in the temperature of the peak (120 °C). In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the chitosan films was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes, and reached a reduction of 2 log after 24 h. The plasticizer concentration of 20 % GLY is sufficient for obtaining flexible chitosan films with good mechanical properties, and it could serve as an alternative as a packaging material to reduce environmental problems associated with synthetic packaging films.     

Effect of Hexadecyl Lactate as Plasticizer on the Properties of Poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide) Films for Food Packaging Applications

In this study, poly(l-lactide) (PLA) films were fabricated by melt processing and the plasticizing effect of hexadecyl lactate (HL) (0, 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 wt% on PLA were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile, transparency, and water vapor permeability tests. The SEM analysis revealed that PLA with 10 wt% HL appeared uniform with extra small bumps, confirmed the interaction between PLA and HL. The thermal analysis revealed a glass transition temperature of 57.4 °C for neat PLA film, but the addition of HL elicited a decrease in the temperature of the peak (43.8 °C). The incorporation of plasticizer into PLA resulted in the increase of elongation at break, as well as the decrease of tensile strength and tensile modulus. Even though a decrease in transparency was recorded, the PLA/HL blend films appeared transparent by visually observation. The water vapor permeability of PLA/HL blend films increased with the increase of HL. The PLA/HL blend films could effectively extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut pears as the commercial low density polyethylene films. The results indicated that the properties of PLA films can be modified with the addition of HL and PLA/HL blend films could serve as an alternative as food packaging materials to reduce environmental problems associated with synthetic packaging films.     

Effect of Oxidized Starch on Morphology,Rheological and Tensile Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene/Linear Low-Density Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Oxidized Starch Blends

In this work, morphology, rheological and tensile properties of low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene/thermoplastic oxidized starch (LDPE/LLDPE/TPOS) blends are studied. The blends of LDPE/LLDPE (70/30, w/w) containing 0–20 wt% TPOS in the presence of 3 wt% of PE-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) as a compatibilizer are prepared by a twin screw extruder and then converted to appropriate thin films using an extrusion film blowing machine. Scanning electron microscopic images show that there is a relative good dispersion of oxidized starch particles in PE matrices. However, as TPOS content in the blends increases, the starch particle size increases too. The rheological analyses indicate that TPOS can decrease the elasticity and viscosity of the blends. The LDPE/LLDPE/TPOS blends show power-law behavior and as the TPOS content increases the power-law exponent (n) and consistency index (K) decrease. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break of the final blend films reduce, when TPOS content increases from 5 to 20 wt%. However, the required mechanical properties for packaging applications are achieved when 10 wt% oxidized starch is added, according to ASTM D4635.     

Fabrication of Admicelled Natural Rubber by Polycaprolactone for Toughening Poly(lactic acid)

Natural rubber (NR) with polycaprolactone (PCL) core–shell (NR-ad-PCL), synthesized by admicellar polymerization, was acted as an impact modifier for poly(lactic acid) (PLA). PLA and NR-ad-PCL were melt-blended using a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The morphology of PLA/NR-ad-PCL blends showed good adhesion as smooth boundary around rubber particles and PLA matrix. Only 5 wt% of rubber phase, NR-ad-PCL was more effective than NR to enhance toughness and mechanical properties of PLA. The contents of the NR-ad-PCL were varied from 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%. From thermal results, the incorporation of the NR-ad-PCL decreased the glass transition temperature and slightly increased degree of crystallinity of PLA. Mechanical properties of the PLA/NR-ad-PCL blends were investigated by dynamic mechanical analyser, pendulum impact tester and universal testing machine for tension and flexural properties. The increasing NR-ad-PCL contents led to decreasing Young’s and storage moduli but increasing loss modulus. Impact strength and elongation at break of the PLA/NR-ad-PCL blends increased with increasing NR-ad-PCL content up to 15 wt% where the maximum impact strength was about three times higher than that of pure PLA and the elongation at break increased to 79%.     

Grafting of Glycidyl Methacrylate onto Poly(lactide) and Properties of PLA/Starch Blends Compatibilized by the Grafted Copolymer

Poly(lactide)-graft-glycidyl methacrylate (PLA-g-GMA) copolymer was prepared by grafting GMA onto PLA in a batch mixer using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The graft content was determined with the ¹H-NMR spectroscopy by calculating the relative area of the characteristic peaks of PLA and GMA. The result shows that the graft content increases from 1.8 to 11.0 wt% as the GMA concentration in the feed varies from 5 to 20 wt%. The PLA/starch blends were prepared by the PLA-g-GMA copolymer as a compatibilizer, and the structure and properties of PLA/starch blends with or without the PLA-g-GMA copolymer were characterized by SEM, DSC, tensile test and medium resistance test. The result shows that the PLA/starch blends without the PLA-g-GMA copolymer show a poor interfacial adhesion and the starch granules are clearly observed, nevertheless the starch granules are better dispersed and covered by PLA when the PLA-g-GMA copolymer as a compatibilizer. The mechanical properties of the PLA/starch blends with the PLA-g-GMA copolymer are obviously improved, such as tensile strength at break increasing from 18.6 ± 3.8 MPa to 29.3 ± 5.8 MPa, tensile modulus from 510 ± 62 MPa to 901 ± 62 MPa and elongation at break from 1.8 ± 0.4 % to 3.4 ± 0.6 %, respectively, for without the PLA-g-GMA copolymer. In addition, the medium resistance of PLA/starch blends with the PLA-g-GMA copolymer was much better than PLA/starch blends.     

Study on the Effect of Dicumyl Peroxide on Structure and Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Natural Rubber Blend

In attempt to enhance the compatibility of NR in PLA matrix, and furthermore to enhance mechanical properties of PLA, PLA/NR blends with strong interaction were prepared in Haake internal mixer, using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as cross-linker. The effects of dicumyl peroxide on morphology, thermal properties, mechanical properties and rheological properties of PLA and PLA/NR blends were studied. The results indicated that dicumyl peroxide could increase the compatibility of poly(lactic acid) and natural rubber. With small amount of dicumyl peroxide, the effect on NR toughening PLA was enhanced and the tensile toughness of PLA/NR blends was improved. When the DCP content was up to 0.2 wt%, the PLA/NR blend reached the maximum elongation at break (26.21 %) which was 2.5 times of that of neat PLA (the elongation at break of neat PLA was 10.7 %). Meanwhile, with introducing 2 wt% DCP into PLA/NR blend, the maximum Charpy impact strength (7.36 kJ/m²) could be achieved which was 1.8 times of that of neat PLA (4.18 kJ/m²). Moreover, adding adequate amount of DCP could improve the processing properties of blends: the viscosity of PLA/NR blend decreased significantly and the lowest viscosity of the blends could be achieved when the DCP content was 0.5 wt%.     

Improvement of Physico-Mechanical Properties of Photo-Cured Chitosan Films with Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate and (2-Hydroxyethyl) Methacrylate

Chitosan, a natural polymer, was prepared by deacetylation of chitin which was obtained from dried prawn shell and was characterized. Thin chitosan film of chitosan was prepared by casting method from 0.2 % chitosan in 2 % acetic acid solution. Five formulations were developed with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and (2-hydroxyethyl) methacrylate along with photo-initiator, Darocur-1664 (4 %). The chitosan film was soaked in the formulations at different soaking times and irradiated under UV-radiation at different intensities for the improvement of its physical and mechanical properties. The cured chitosan films were then subjected to various mechano-chemical tests like tensile strength, elongation at break, polymer loading, water absorption and gel content. The formulation containing 30 % ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 66 % (2-hydroxyethyl) methacrylate showed the best performance at the 30th UV pass of UV-radiation for 3 min soaking time.     

Study of Thermo-Mechanical and Morphological Behaviour of Biodegradable PLA/PBAT/Layered Silicate Blend Nanocomposites

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blend nanocomposites were prepared using melt blending technique followed by compression moulding. The blend nanocomposites were prepared with a variation of PBAT loading along with maleic anhydride and benzoyl peroxide ranging from 5 to 20 wt% along with two different commercially available nanoclays cloisite 93A and cloisite 30B (C30B) at 3 wt% loading. The maleic anhydride and benzoyl peroxide were used during the melt blending of the blend nanocomposites as a compatibilizer and as an accelerator respectively. Maleic anhydride used to enhance the compatibility of the PLA/PBAT blend and as well as the uniform adhesion of the nanoclays with them. The properties and characterizations of PLA matrix and the PLA/PBAT blend nanocomposites have been studied. The tensile strength, % elongation and impact strength increased with the preparation of PLA/PBAT blend nanocomposites as compared with PLA matrix. PLA/PBAT/C30B blend nanocomposites exhibited optimum tensile strength at 15 wt% of PBAT loading. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis also showed improved thermal properties as compared with virgin PLA. The wide angle X-ray diffraction studies indicated an increase in d-spacing in PLA/PBAT/C30B blend nanocomposite thus revealing intercalated morphology.     

Mechanical Properties and Isothermal Crystallization Behaviour of Poly(lactide)/Poly(methyl methacrylate)/α-Cellulose Composites

Polylactide (PLA)/polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/α-cellulose composites were fabricated using a twin-screw extruder. During fabrication, α-cellulose short fibres were incorporated for improving the toughness of the brittle PLA and a chain extender was used for reducing PLA hydrolysis. Highly transparent PLA and PMMA were blended to obtain miscible and transparent blends. For evaluating the performance of the PLA/PMMA/α-cellulose composites, a series of measurements, including tensile and Izod impact tests, light transmission and haze measurements, thermomechanical analysis, and determination of isothermal crystallisation behaviour, was conducted. Adding the chain extender considerably reduced the occurrence of hydrolytic degradation. Both the chain extender and α-cellulose short fibres increased the elongation at break and Izod impact strength of the composites. Compared with the neat PLA, including 1.0 wt% α-cellulose short fibres increased the elongation at break and Izod impact strength of the composite PLA by approximately 211 and 219 %, respectively. According to the observed mechanical performance, the optimal blending ratios for PLA and PMMA were between 90:10 and 80:20. The total light transmittance of the composites was as high as 91 %, indicating that the PLA/PMMA blend was highly miscible. The haze value of the PLA/PMMA/α-cellulose composites was lower than 32 %. Incorporating cellulose short fibres increased the number of crystallisation sites and crystallinity of the PLA/PMMA/α-cellulose composites while reducing the spherulite dimensions.     

Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Properties of Crosslinked Chitosan Nano-composite Film

Chitosan nano-composite film crosslinked by citric acid and with glycerol as plasticizer and MgO as antibacterial agent was prepared by casting method. MgO nanoparticles were synthesized via calcination method in furnace at 500 °C for 4 h and characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The chitosan nano-composite film with composition chitosan/citric/glycerol/magnesium oxide (1 wt%:1 wt%:75 vol%:10 wt%) has high mechanical properties than other films. The effects of different irradiation doses on the mechanical, thermal and antibacterial activity were investigated. The tensile strength enhanced by increasing irradiation dose up to 10 kGy and the elongation negligible changed as irradiation dose increased. The thermal stability slightly increased up to dose 2.5 kGy then decreased with dose increment. The antimicrobial activity film was studied against white mulberry-borne bacterial pathogens either Gram positive or Gram negative bacteria and has positive impact of gamma irradiation on the antimicrobial activity. The use of the selected chitosan nano-composite film which irradiated by dose of 2.5 kGy and has magnesium oxide of average particle size 54.3 nm as new packaging materials found to improve storage quality and shelf-life of mulberry fruit.     

Melt Flow Behavior and Processability of Polylactic Acid/Polystyrene (PLA/PS) Polymer Blends

The present investigation dealt with the flow behavior and processability of polylactic acid/polystyrene (PLA/PS) polymer blends using a capillary rheometer. For this purpose, PLA/PS blends with different ratios of the concentrations were prepared using a single screw extruder. The shear viscosity, shear stress, shear rate, power-law index, viscous activation energy at a constant shear stress, and elongational stress were determined. PLA/PS blends exhibited a typical shear-thinning behavior over the entire range of shear rates tested, and the viscosity values of the blends would tend to decrease with increasing amount of PLA. In addition, the polymer blend of 70 % PLA and 30 % PS was found to be relatively less sensitive to the processing temperature, implying that the extrusion process was more desirable for fabrication of PLA/PS polymer blend than the injection process.     

Modification of Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Recycled PET by Vinyl Acetate (VAc) Monomer Grafting Using Gamma Irradiation

Vinyl acetate (VAc) monomer of different percentage was grafted onto the recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) films using gamma irradiation. The properties of these modified films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical properties testing (Tensile strength, Elongation at break), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The Tensile Strength (TS) of the modified PET film increased by 132.25?% to the highest value of 50.12 MPa at 15% VAc monomer concentration at 3 kGy gamma dose, while the elongation at break (EB) decreased by 31.83?%. FTIR was used to investigate the molecular interaction of the modified films. TGA revealed that curve of the modified PET film shifted toward higher temperature region by 95?°C, which is very close to that of PET film made from virgin flakes. The results indicate that modified PET films of better mechanical and thermal properties were successfully prepared using VAc monomer grafting by gamma irradiation technique.     

Fabrication and Characterization of PLA/PHBV-Chitin Nanocomposites and Their Foams

This paper examines the effect of biobased chitin nanowhisker fillers on the thermal, rheological, physical, mechanical and morphological properties of biobased polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA/polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV) blended nanocomposites as well as the physical, mechanical and morphological properties of porous PLA and PLA/PHBV nanocomposite foams. Solid nanocomposites of PLA, PLA/PHBV and chitin nanowhiskers were manufactured through melt blending while porous nanocomposites foams were fabricated through a batch foaming process with the aid of CO₂ as blowing agent. It was found that by incorporating small quantities of chitin nanowhiskers (<2 wt%) the mechanical properties of solid specimens are improved while strength and expandability of the foam can be significantly improved, yielding a homogenously distributed cell morphology with average cell size of 1.5 μm.     

Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Polypropylene/Poly(ethylene-co-octene) Blends

The polypropylene (PP)/poly(ethylene-co-octene) (POE) blends was prepared by means of a twin screw extruder in a range of temperature from 185 to 195 °C. The mechanical properties including tensile, flexural and impact of the PP/POE blends were measured at room temperature to identify the effect of the POE content on the mechanical properties. It was found that the Young’s modulus, tensile strength and tensile elongation at break decreased nonlinearly with increasing the POE weight fraction. While the V-notched and unnotched impact fracture strength increased nonlinearly with an increase of the POE weight fraction. The flexural modulus and strength decreased roughly linearly with increasing the POE weight fraction. Furthermore, the impact fracture surface of the blends was observed by using a scanning electronic microscope and the toughening mechanisms were discussed.     

The Properties of PLA/Oxidized Soybean Oil Polymer Blends

Novel polymer blends based on completely renewable polymers were reported. Polymer blends based on polylactic acid (PLA) and oxidized and hydroxylated soya bean oil polymers were prepared. Plasticization and mechanical strength effect of the soya bean oil polymers on the PLA were observed. Fracture surface analysis of the polymer blends was carried out by using scanning electron microscopy. The PLA blends showed more amorphous morphologies compared to pure PLA. The blends had better elongation at break in view of the stress–strain measurement. Blend of PLA with the hydroxylated polymeric soya bean oil indicated the slightly antibacterial properties.     

Characterization and Properties of Reactive Poly (Lactic Acid)/Ethylene–Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer Blends with Chain-Extender

A hydrophilic copolymer, ethylene–vinyl alcohol (EVOH), was incorporated into the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix to improve the barrier property of PLA through twin-screw extrusion rather than the typical coextrusion process. A chain extender, poly[(ethylene)-co-(methyl acrylate)-co-(glycidyl methacrylate)] (PEMG), was used to reduce the probability of the thermal degradation of PLA during melt compounding. Biaxial stretching was used to enhance the microstructure and barrier property of PLA-PEMG/EVOH films. Experimentally, PEMG considerably reduced the probability of the thermal degradation of the PLA-PEMG sample. Biaxial stretching increased the tensile strength and decreased the value of elongation at break of the PLA-PEMG/EVOH80 (PLA/EVOH 100/80) film. Because of the efficient blending of PLA/EVOH in the twin-screw extruder, the dispersion of EVOH in the PLA matrix revealed homogeneous dispersion with a domain size of 1–5 μm. EVOH effectively improved the water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of PLA through melt blending. Blending PLA-PEMG with EVOH substantially decreased the WVTR from 250 cc—20 μm/m²-day-atm for neat PLA to approximately 65 cc—20 μm/m²-day-atm for the PLA-PEMG/EVOH80 film, a decrease of approximately 74 % compared with neat PLA. Moreover, the WVTR decreased further from 65 cc—20 μm/m²-day-atm for the unstretched PLA-PEMG/EVOH80 film to 6.3 cc—20 μm/m²-day-atm for the film stretched at a stretch ratio of 3.5 × 3.5 and at 100 %/s, a decrease of approximately 90 % compared with neat PLA.     

Mechanical Properties of Poly (Lactic Acid)/Hemp Fiber Composites Prepared with a Novel Method

This research dealt with a novel method of fabricating green composites with biodegradable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and natural hemp fiber. The new preparation method was that hemp fibers were firstly blending-spun with a small amount of PLA fibers to form compound fiber pellets, and then the traditional twin-screw extruding and injection-molding method were applied for preparing the composites containing 10–40 wt% hemp fibers with PLA pellets and compound fiber pellets. This method was very effective to control the feeding and dispersing of fibers uniformly in the matrix thus much powerful for improving the mechanical properties. The tensile strength and modulus were improved by 39 and 92 %, respectively without a significant decrease in elongation at break, and the corresponding flexural strength and modulus of composites were also improved by 62 and 90 %, respectively, when the hemp fiber content was 40 wt%. The impact strength of composite with 20 wt% hemp fiber was improved nearly 68 % compared with the neat PLA. The application of the silane coupling agent promoted further the mechanical properties of composites attributed to the improvement of interaction between fiber and resin matrix.     

Effect of Poly(Vinyl Acetate) on Mechanical Properties and Characteristics of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Natural Rubber Blends

Natural rubber grafted with poly(vinyl acetate) copolymer (NR-g-PVAc) was synthesized by emulsion polymerization. Three graft copolymers were prepared with different PVAc contents: 1 % (G1), 5 % (G5) and 12 % (G12). Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was melt blended with natural rubber (NR) and/or NR-g-PVAc in a twin screw extruder. The blends contained 10–20 wt% rubber. The notched Izod impact strength and tensile properties were determined from the compression molded specimens. The effect of NR mastication on the mechanical properties of the PLA/NR/NR-g-PVAc blend was evaluated. Characterization by DMTA and DSC showed an enhancement in miscibility of the PLA/NR-g-PVAc blend. The temperature of the maximum tan δ of the PLA decreased with increasing PVAc content in the graft copolymer, i.e., from 71 °C (pure PLA) to 63 °C (the blend containing 10 % G12). The increase in miscibility brought about a reduction in the rubber particle diameter. These changes were attributed to the enhancement of toughness and ductility of PLA after blending with NR-g-PVAc. Therefore, NR-g-PVAc could be used as a toughening agent of PLA and as a compatibilizer of the PLA/NR blend. NR mastication was an efficient method for increasing the toughness and ductility of the blends which depended on the blend composition and the number of mastications.     

Polylactic Acid (PLA) Biocomposites Filled with Waste Leather Buff (WLB)

A large amount of leather waste is generated from tanning industries and most of which are disposed of landfill or discharged into the natural water bodies without any treatment, causing environmental problems. The aim of this study is to develop eco-biocomposites using waste leather buff (WLB) as filler in Polylactic acid (PLA) matrix to reduce the environmental issues and provide sustainable solution. WLB/PLA composites were prepared by twins-screw micro extruder varying the WLB content from 2% to 30 wt%. These composite were extensively characterise by several techniques. Tensile properties of the composites showed addition of WLB resulted in improvement of tensile property of composite and reduction in percentage crystallinity of PLA matrix observed with increase in WLB content. The effect of WLB on properties of interfacial adhesion and dispersion in WLB/PLA composites were studied by SEM. Wettability of composites was tested by contact angle and water absorption studies. WLB/PLA composite showed increase in water absorption with WLB loading. These WLB/PLA composite could be used to develop low cost eco-friendly product material.     

Tensile Strength, Elongation, Hardness, and Tensile and Flexural Moduli of PLA Filled with Glycerol-Plasticized DDGS

Rapid growth of the biofuel industry is generating large amounts of coproducts such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from ethanol production and glycerol from biodiesel. Currently these coproducts are undervalued, but they have application in the plastics industry as property modifiers. The objective of this research effort is to quantify the effects on mechanical properties of adding DDGS and glycerol to polylactic acid (PLA). The methodology was to physically mix DDGS, as filler, with PLA pellets and injection mold the blends into test bars using glycerol as a plasticizer. The bars were subject to mechanical testing procedures to obtain tensile strength, tensile and flexural moduli, elongation to break, and surface hardness of blends from 0 to 90?%, by weight, of plasticized filler. Blends were typically relatively brittle with little or no yielding prior to fracture, and the addition of glycerol enabled molding of blends with high levels of DDGS but did not increase strength. Any presence of filler decreased the tensile strength of the PLA, and 20?C30?% filler reduced strength by 60?%. The 35?C50?% filled PLA had about one-fifth the value for pure PLA; at 60?C65?% filler level, about 10?% tensile strength remained; and over 80?% filler, 95?% of the strength was lost. Over 20?% filler, the tensile modulus decreased. The 35?% plasticized, filled blend yielded about one-half the stiffness as the pure PLA case; flexural modulus trended in the same manner but demonstrated a greater loss of stiffness. Most blends had less than 3?% elongation to break while surface hardness measurements indicated that up to 60?% filler reduced Shore D hardness by less than 20?%. The tensile strength and modulus data are consistent with the findings of other researchers and indicate that the type of filler and amount and sequence of plasticization are secondary effects, and the total PLA displaced is the dominant factor in determining the mechanical strength of the PLA and DDGS blends. Up to 65?% plasticized DDGS filler can be injection molded, and sufficient mechanical strength exists to create a variety of products. Such a novel material provides higher-value utilization of the biofuel coproducts of glycerol and DDGS and maintains the biodegradable and biocompatible nature of PLA.