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ABOUT PROTEINS
Proteins are natural heteropolymers made up from 22 different amino acids arranged in different combinations. They can be divided into proteins from plant origin and from animal origin. They are ideal raw materials for bioplastics production, because they have many diverse side chains that can be modified to have desired properties in the final polymeric material. In addition, proteins are easily processable and can adhere to various substrates, so proteins can be utilized to produce blends or composites with desirable characteristics. The drawback of proteins is that they are sensitive towards humidity.
Proteins from Plants
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Gluten: storage protein from wheat and corn
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Soy Protein: Soy flour, soy concentrate, and soy isolate
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Zein: alcohol soluble proteins from core endosperm
Protein from Animals
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
The Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University is working on the Bioplastic Container Cropping Systems Project. Bioplastic pots are being created, made from Zein, a protein from corn.
They have worked with VistaTek LLC to manufacture 9000 injection-molded, bioplastic horticulture containers for commercialization trials and research in specialty-crops industries.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology has developed a new bioplastic made from Whey protein; it is both air-tight and water-resistant, which is good for recyclable food packaging. It is hoped this new technology can be implemented on an industrial scale to produce biodegradable plastic films, other forms of food packaging, and even food trays. [citation T2.27]
