Obtención de bioplástico a partir del mucílago de cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) para uso como envolturas alimenticias

Abstract

This investigation work objective deals with the elaboration of a bioplastic from the cactus stalk mucilage (Opuntia ficus indica) to be used as food wrapping, starting with the physical, chemical and microbiological characterization of the row material; later the mucilage extraction was carried out through the guidelines described by the United States Organization for Food and Agriculture(FAO), based on the 2k experimental design ( with to variables, velocity and time, obtaining six treatments with four replications each); for this, 500ml water per each sample were used to determine the best yield. Then the proximal analysis was used on the basis of the INEN 1456, E INEN 0401 norm as well as the Kjeldahl and Erlenmeyer method. Moreover, the bioplastic obtainment was carried out using four treatments in each one of them varied mucilage concentrations were used (73.53% y 74.01%) and one protein (11.76% and 12.01%), with vinegar, glycerin constant concentrations for equal temperature and time. The best bioplastic is the T3, as it presented the best physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics, 0.17mm width, 28.94% humidity percentage, 47,16 % solubility, 0,0316 g/h.m.*MPa permeability, 65.00% elongation percentage with 5.30N maximum load. The biodegradation of the bioplastics was carried out in three different environments (water, earth, environment). In water they decompose in 24 days, in earth in 20 days and in the environment, they decompose in 34 days.