Obtención de bioplástico a partir del amaranto (Amaranthus caudatus) para embalaje de alimentos

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to obtain bioplastic from amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) for food packaging. Initially, the different analyzes of the raw material "amaranth grain" were carried out, such as sensory (color, texture), physical (weight) and chemical (ash, solubility, pH), later the starch was obtained by the method of wet extraction through the 2k factorial design, with two independent variables (speed and time) and dependent variables (weight and volume), for which four treatments were obtained, followed by the physical-chemical characterization according to the guide of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which were carried out at the laboratory level, annexed to this, studies were carried out in external laboratories such as the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP) which determined the amylose and existing humidity in the starch and in the laboratory of Chemical and Microbiological Analytical Services (SAQMIC) proximal and microbiological tests were carried out. After that, four formulations were carried out for the elaboration of the biofilm in which independent variables are used such as the volume of glycerin (2 to 4 mL), weight of starch (3 to 6 grams), after this the characterization such as: humidity, water vapor permeability, solubility, tensile test and biodegradability so that it was verified that the TR4-A formulation is the most effective. Together with the bibliographical research, techniques, tests and equivalent studies were compared that contributed to the feasibility of the elaboration of the optimal biodegradable film. For this reason, it is recommended that the different bioplastic companies base themselves on this NTE-INEN 2643 standard to avoid contamination of the environment.