Elaboración de un bioplástico a partir de las semillas de alpiste (Phalaris canariensis l) para uso como empaques farmacéuticos

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a bioplastic from canary seed (Phalaris canariensis L) to be used as pharmaceutical packaging. The starch that was extracted from the canary seed by means of the wet method was used as raw material, evaluating the yield percentage. Next, the respective characterization of the starch was carried out where fundamental parameters such as the gelatinization temperature, the percentage of amylose and amylopectin, among others, were known. Consecutively, the biofilm was elaborated based on the 2^2 factorial design, which provided four formulations with two levels of concentrations with two variables that were starch and plasticizer. Later, physical parameters such as humidity, thickness, solubility and permeability; mechanical ones such as tensile strength; and microbiological such as mesophilic aerobes, molds and yeasts, and total coliforms were analyzed; where it was obtained that the BPA3 formulation was the most optimal film, since it presented favorable results with regard to the aforementioned characteristics. A pilot trial was designed to test the application of the biofilm by making a blister pack based on it, for natural tablets. Finally, the biodegradability of the film was determined in three media: water, soil and environment. It is concluded that the bioplastic prototype can be used as pharmaceutical packaging and has a shorter degradation life than other conventional plastics. It is recommended to carry out feasibility studies to use it as a coating for medicines such as capsules and tablets.