Obtención de bioplástico a partir de la yuca amarilla (Manihot esculenta) y aceite esencial de hierbaluisa (Cymbopogon citratus) para embalaje de alimentos

Abstract

This investigation work had the objective of elaborating a bioplastic from the yellow cassava (Manihot esculenta) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil for food packaging. The starch extraction was carried out by the wet method, applying the 2k statistical method, using two variables: speed (low and high) and time (30 and 60 seconds) with four treatments and four replications of each one; obtaining a yield of 22.09% as the best average -this was low due to the methodology used. The essential oil of lemongrass was extracted obtaining a yield of 0.4%, which acts as an antimicrobial agent. Subsequently, the physicochemical and microbiological characterization was carried out for the starch and essential oil. Four formulations P1, P2, P3 and P4 were tested varying the amounts of starch and glycerin as plasticizer and maintaining constant distilled water, acetic acid (CH3COOH) and additive. The formulation of the biofilm was made up of: P3 treatment consisting of 3.3gr. starch, 0.9ml glycerin, 40ml distilled water, 3ml CH3COOH and 1 drop of essential oil, letting it rest in a mold at room temperature for about 48 hours. The bioplastic characterization results were moisture 0.97%, solubility 1.04%, tensile tests with 29.68% elongation, biodegradability in water with 36.88% degradation in 28 days, biodegradability in soil 48.25% in 28 days, biodegradability in air 17.63% in 28 days and microbiological analyses resulting in 0%; these results indicate that it meets the requirements for biodegradable food wrappers. According to the FAO, it is necessary to obtain all the starch from the pulp to have a higher yield.