Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Biodegradable Systems Based on Starch and Cellulose Derivatives

The interval sorption and diffusion of water vapor were studied for two systems: methylcellulose (MC)/starch and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/starch. The diffusion coefficient of water vapor and the Gibbs free energy of swelling of these blends in water were estimated. The Gibbs free energy of mixing starch with the cellulose derivatives was determined using the thermodynamic cycle. CMC/starch was shown to be more compatible than MC/starch. Biodegradation of these systems in the water–soil environment was measured and found to increase with the concentration of starch in its blends with cellulose derivatives.     

Wastewater-nitrogen removal using polylactic acid/starch as carbon source: Optimization of operating parameters using response surface methodology

The use of PLA/starch blends for nitrogen removal was achieved. The influence of different operating parameters on responses was verified using RSM. The conditions for desired responses were successfully optimized simultaneously. Blends material may have a promising application prospect in the future. Nitrogen removal from ammonium-containing wastewater was conducted using polylactic acid (PLA)/starch blends as carbon source and carrier for functional bacteria. The exclusive and interactive influences of operating parameters (i.e., temperature, pH, stirring rate, and PLA-to-starch ratio (PLA proportion)) on nitrification (Y₁), denitrification (Y₂), and COD release rates (Y₃) were investigated through response surface methodology. Experimental results indicated that nitrogen removal could be successfully achieved in the PLA/starch blends through simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. The carbon release rate of the blends was controllable. The sensitivity of Y₁, Y₂, and Y₃ to different operating parameters also differed. The sequence for each response was as follows: for Y₁, pH>stirring rate>PLA proportion>temperature; for Y₂, pH>PLA proportion>temperature>stirring rate; and for Y₃, stirring rate>pH>PLA proportion>temperature. In this study, the following optimum conditions were observed: temperature, 32.0°C; pH 7.7; stirring rate, 200.0 r·min^-1; and PLA proportion, 0.4. Under these conditions, Y₁, Y₂, and Y₃ were 134.0 μg-N·g-blend^-1·h^-1, 160.9 μg-N·g-blend^-1·h^-1, and 7.6 × 10³ μg-O·g-blend^-1·h^-1, respectively. These results suggested that the PLA/starch blends may be an ideal packing material for nitrogen removal.     

Comparative Biodegradation Study of Starch- and Polylactic Acid-Based Materials

The degradation of starch- and polylactic acid-based plastic films by microorganisms extracted from compost was studied in a liquid medium. The various degradation products produced were measured throughout the duration of the experiment, and total carbon balances were estimated. For an easily biodegradable material, the evolution of the way carbon repartitioned between different degradation products was quite similar whatever the experimental condition or the type of substrate. On the other hand, for a resistant material exposed to these microorganisms, the nature of the biodegradation depended strongly on the experimental conditions. In the latter case, a differential scanning calorimetry analysis confirmed the importance of the applied norm on the state of the residual material. The consequences for improved methods of estimation of biodegradability of these materials are discussed.     

人发中微量钒的分光光度法测定

对钒(V)-KI-淀粉体系的分光光度测定,提出了一种测定钒(V)的新方法.在酸性和避光条件下,钒将KI氧化成I3-,并与淀粉生成淡蓝色产物,其在微量条件下与钒的量成正比.钒量在0～25μg范围内遵守比耳定律,相应的表观摩尔吸光系数为2.60×104L/(mol·cm).方法用于人发中钒的测定,结果满意.     

淀粉工业废水处理现状

分析了淀粉工业废水的来源及水质特征。综述了沉淀分离法，化学絮凝法，单纯曝气法，生物处理法，光合细菌法等方法在淀粉废水处理中的应用，介绍了淀粉废水的资源化回收技术。     

Effect of Coconut, Sisal and Jute Fibers on the Properties of Starch/Gluten/Glycerol Matrix

Coconut, sisal and jute fibers were added as reinforcement materials in a biodegradable polymer matrix comprised of starch/gluten/glycerol. The content of fibers used in the composites varied from 5% to 30% by weight of the total polymers (starch and gluten). Materials were processed in a Haake torque rheometer (120 °C, 50 rpm) for 6 min. The mixtures obtained were molded by heat compression and further characterized. Addition of lignocellulosic fibers in the matrix decreased the water absorption at equilibrium. The diffusion coefficient decreased sharply around 5% fiber concentration, and further fiber additions caused only small variations. The thermogravimetric (TG) analysis revealed improved thermal stability of matrix upon addition of fibers. The Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength increased with fiber content in the matrix. The storage modulus increased with increasing fiber content, whereas tanδ curves decreased, confirming the reinforcing effect of the fibers. Morphology of the composites analyzed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) exhibited good interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the added fibers. Matrix degraded rapidly in compost, and addition of increased amounts of coconut fiber in the matrix caused a slowdown the biodegradability of the matrix. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.     

Performance and Environmental Impact of Biodegradable Films in Agriculture: A Field Study on Protected Cultivation

The performance, the degradability in soil and the environmental impact of biodegradable starch-based soil mulching and low tunnel films were assessed by means of field and laboratory tests. The lifetime of the biodegradable mulches was 9 months and of the biodegradable low-tunnel films 6 months. The radiometric properties of the biodegradable films influenced positively the microclimate: air temperature under the biodegradable low tunnel films was 2 °C higher than under the low density polyethylene films, resulting in an up to 20% higher yield of strawberries. At the end of the cultivation period, the biodegradable mulches were broken up and buried in the field soil together with the plant residues. One year after burial, less than 4% of the initial weight of the biodegradable film was found in the soil. According to ecotoxicity tests, the kinetic luminescent bacteria test with Vibrio fischeri and the Enchytraeus albidus ISO/CD 16387 reproduction potential, there was no evidence of ecotoxicity in the soil during the biodegradation process. Furthermore, there was no change in the diversity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the soil determined on the basis of the appearance of amoA gene diversity in denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.     

淀粉基超强吸水剂的研究

本文研究了淀粉基超强吸水剂的合成方法，探讨了反应条件对吸水性的影响.     

Biodegradable Blends Based on Starch and Poly(Lactic Acid): Comparison of Different Strategies and Estimate of Compatibilization

Finding plastic substitutes based on sustainability, especially for short-term packaging and disposable applications has aroused scientific interest for many years. Starch may be a substitute for petroleum based plastics but it shows severe limitations due to its water sensitivity and rather low mechanical properties. To overcome these weaknesses and to maintain the material biodegradability, one option is to blend plasticized starch with another biodegradable polymer. To improve both the compatibility between the main phases and the performance of the final blend, different compatibilization strategies are reported in literature. However, the relative efficiency of each strategy is not widely reported. This paper presents three different strategies: in situ (i) formation of urethane linkages; (ii) coupling with peroxide between starch and PLA, and (iiii) the addition of PLA-grafted amylose (A-g-PLA) which has been elaborated ex situ and carefully analyzed before blending. This study compares the effect of each compatibilization strategy by investigating mechanical and thermal properties of each blend. Compatibilizing behavior of the A-g-PLA is demonstrated, with a significant increase (up to 60%) in tensile strength of starch/PLA blend with no decrease in elongation at failure.     

Duckweed Landoltia punctata purifies micro-polluted surface water and produces starch北大核心CSCD

Aquatic plant duckweed has remarkable potential in nutritional water purification and starch accumulation; at present, it has received increasing attention. This study aimed to investigate the ability of duckweed in nutrient recovery from micro-polluted surface water; further, the starch accumulation capacity of duckweed was evaluated. The results showed that duckweed can achieve better depth treatment of the micro-polluted surface water, within 1-day treatment, by duckweed. Ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus status of Class V and worse than class V water was improved to a superior level; moreover, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates were 98.5% and 82.9%, respectively. In addition, duckweed can rapidly accumulate starch during water treatment. The starch content of duckweed was 28.38% and 21.57% (dry weight) in Class V and worse than class V wastewater after 3 days of treatment, respectively, and reached 52.15% and 49.58% on day 15. Moreover, additional carbon dioxide (CO2) supplementation promoted the starch production. The starch content increased by 55.7% compared with that of control, and the average starch accumulation rate increased by 2.72 times in 3 days. Therefore, duckweed can not only rapidly purify micro-polluted water, but also accumulate a large amount of starch. This study forms the basis for wastewater treatment and post-treatment utilization of duckweed biomass. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.