Johan Verbeek (University of Auckland)
Non-degradable plastics represent one of the most significant challenges to our environment and health. Protein-based bioplastics offer a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics.
Novatein is produced from blood meal, a by-product of meat processing. The manufacturing of such protein-based thermoplastics is complicated by their sensitivity to processing conditions. Specifically, the viscosity of the materials and the complex secondary structure of the proteins can hinder processing. Low viscosity is essential to produce quality products through sheet extrusion but requires careful control over the processing conditions.
To better resolve the Novatein viscosity issue, high -resolution Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy experiments were conducted on the Infrared Microspectroscopy (IRM) beamline. The resulting imaging revealed distinct variations in the secondary structures of protein from different areas of the Novatein samples. By analysing the distribution of α-helices and β-sheets, researchers gained insights into the protein's structural changes due to processing. The detailed compositional information led to identification of the optimal combination of plasticizers and processing conditions. This information facilitated the fine control of the protein's secondary structure properties that is needed to improve sheet extrudability of Novatein.
The optimised formulations resulted in reduced viscosity, which drastically enhanced the sheet extrudability of Novatein. Consequently, this advancement facilitated the production of high-quality Novatein sheets, demonstrating the importance of structural characterization in the development and optimization of bioplastics.
Reference:
Uitto JM, Verbeek CJR, Bengoechea C. 2020. Shear and extensional viscosity of thermally aggregated thermoplastic protein. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 137(45) 49393. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.49393
Media:
https://waikatoindependent.co.nz/2013/06/company-finds-way-to-turn-blood-into-plastic/13941/
https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/50809-plastic-from-blood-success.html
