Protein filled polymer composites for biodegradable packaging

Abstract

The present study describes the preparation of biodegradable polymer composites filled with protein hydrolysate (HP), a proteinaceous biomaterial isolated from chrome-tanned solid leather waste by enzymatic hydrolysis. Metallocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) was the synthetic polymer used to prepare mLLDPE/HP (20-40%) composites by melt mixing. This paper also reports about the effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on polymer morphology, on physico-chemical structure, and on biodegradation of protein filled polymeric material. Morphological studies performed on fractured surfaces of composites showed uniform and fine HP particles dispersion which implies complete blending of mLLDPE and HP and exhibits the effect of UV on polymer morphology as well as its biodegradation. This modified polymeric material shows a reasonably good biodegradability in case of UV-untreated sample contrary to UV-treated one.