Evaluation of Dairy Co-product Containing Composite Solutions for the Formation of Bioplastic Films

Abstract

Replacement of existing plastics derived from non-renewable and petrochemical sources will require the creation of new environmentally friendly polymers. Natural products such as protein containing waste generated from dairy factories have considerable potential for the development of bioplastics. Casein rich material (referred to as DAF-casein) harvested from dairy wastewater using a dissolved air flotation (DAF) procedure exhibits self-associating properties, and has potential for the formation of bioplastics, but produces brittle films. Inclusion of additional biopolymers such as polysaccharides and other proteins to form composites with the DAF-casein has the potential to improve the physical properties of such films. Three polymers, κ-carrageenan, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and gelatin, were found to form homogenous solutions with DAF-casein. All three were successful in the formation of composite bioplastic films with improved morphology and water stability in combination with DAF-casein. The incorporation of additional polymers with dairy waste stream DAF-casein has the potential for the production of bioplastics.