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International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 4, Issue, 7, pp.1091 1094, July, 2013 ISSN: 0976-3031

International Journal of Recent Scientific Research

RESEARCH ARTICLE SYNTHESIS OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER BASED ON WHEAT GLUTEN

Neha Patni, Anisha Agarwal, Vyoma Maroo, Pujita Yadava
Chemical Engineering Department, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India ARTICLE INFO
Article History:
Received 11th, June, 2013 Received in revised form 24th, June, 2013 Accepted 18th, July, 2013 Published online 30th July, 2013

ABSTRACT
PVC is one of the world's most commonly used plastics. According to reports by Recycle Trade India, approximately 10 thousand tons per day (TPD) of plastics waste is generated i.e. 9% of 1.20 lakh's TPD of municipal solid waste in India. Hence, it has become an important technological and scientific challenge of today to develop new alternatives to achieve zero waste. The uses of proteins, lipids, cellulose and polysaccharides have thus been extensively studied to obtain biopolymer which would bring the next evolution in plastic industry. Wheat Gluten (WG), a protein component of wheat offers such a possibility, mainly because it is water insoluble & elastic in nature. It being non-toxic, biodegradable and having environmental friendly properties gives it an added advantage. This research is mainly focused on biodegradability of wheat gluten based polymer which can then serve as a viable alternative to plastics. Gluten extracted from wheat flour is converted into films using glycerol as plasticizer and the films degraded in 36 days. Copy Right, IJRSR, 2013, Academic Journals. All rights reserved.

Key words: Plastic, Wheat Gluten, Biodegradable, nontoxic, plasticizer.

INTRODUCTION
The Plastic industry in its nascent stages promised to be a boon to humankind. But with its use over the years turning into overuse has exposed its negative impact on the society. The lifetime of various plastics areFoamed plastic cups: 50 years Plastic beverage holder: 400 years Disposable diapers: 450 year Plastic bottle: 450 Fishing line: 600 years [1]. Thus, issue of sustainable development in plastic industry requires our immediate attention and concern. Along with the concern an alternative pathway is desired. Sustainable development in plastic industry can be achieved by aiming for zero waste. One of the ways to approach zero waste is by providing a substitute to the non-biodegradable plastic. India produces about 70 million tones of wheat per year or about 12 per cent of world production .India expects a fifth record wheat crop in a row, 87.5 million metric tons, on higher planted area and optimal growing conditions in major growing areas in the year 2012[2]. Just this year 2012, officials estimate that 6 million tons of India's grain worth $1.5 billion could become inedible. This amount of wheat can thus be utilized in production of bioplastics. Biodegradability Of Wheat Gluten Based Bioplastics Biodegradable plastics decompose in natural aerobic and anaerobic environments. Biodegradation of such plastics occurs when microorganisms metabolize these either to humus-like materials or assimilable compounds that are friendlier to the environment. The extent of biodegradation varies with polymer stability, temperature and available oxygen content. As a result, most bioplastics degrade in the strongly controlled environment of industrial composting units [3].

Introduction to wheat gluten The major components in wheat are starch and protein. The protein component of wheatWheat Gluten (WG) is the area of interest.

Fig 1 Composition of wheat flour Traditionally, gluten proteins have been divided into roughly equal fractions according to their solubility in alcoholwater solutions of gluten (e.g. 60% ethanol): the soluble gliadins (from Greek glia=glue) and the insoluble glutenins (from Latin glutinis =glue). Hydrated gliadins being less consistent and elastic as compared to glutenins, add efficiently to the extensibility and viscosity of the dough system. In contrast, hydrated glutenins are both elastic and cohesive and are responsible for dough elasticity and strength. In other words, gluten is two component glue, where gliadins can be understood as a solvent or plasticizer for glutenins. [4] Wheat gluten extraction Gluten can be prepared by gently washing dough under a stream of running water till the water appears transparent. When water soluble starch has been washed away from wheat flour, the water insoluble protein remains. This proteinaceous

* Corresponding author: Neha Patni Chemical Engineering Department, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India

International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, Vol. 4, Issue, 7, pp. 1091 - 1094, July, 2013 mass retains its cohesiveness on stretching as the bulk of soluble and particulate matter is removed. of a cohesive and plastic blend driven by a thermo-mechanical energy input during mixing or extrusion of wheat gluten with a plasticizer. The mixing time needed to obtain such a blend can be related to the compatibility of the plasticizer with gluten. Based on the extensive review of the literature following plasticizers were selectedWater Glycerol Formaldehyde Salicyaldehyde

Fig 2 Wheat gluten extracted from wheat flour Confirmatory test 1. Presence of protein was tested using biuret testAqueous sample was treated with equal volume of 1% sodium hydroxide along with a few drops of aqueous copper (II) sulfate. The solution turned purple indicating the presence of protein. Presence of starch was tested by performing iodine test Iodine solution was added to the sample. The sample solution turned purple black indicating the presence of starch.
SALICALDEHYDE WATER WATER+GLYCEROL FORMALDEHYDE

2.

Fig 3 Various wheat gluten samples prepared by mixing different plasticizers The above figure shows batch-1 of the preliminary stages of the experiment conducted. These four films were formed using the above mentioned plasticizers in unique ratio with WG obtained from the first step. Water plasticizes WG but evaporates during compression molding and therefore does not affect the mechanical properties of the composites. Glycerol as a plasticizer can reduce intermolecular forces and the glass transition so as to increase chain mobility of proteins and allow melt processing. No such adequate explanations were obtained for formaldehyde and Salicyaldehyde [6]. The figure above shows the films formed right after the preparation using cold press. Hence from the observations made on the basis of experiment, two plasticizers i.e. formaldehyde and Salicyaldehyde were discarded for the BATCH-2 used for testing biodegradation. Instead two new plasticizers i.e. lactic acid and Salicyclic acid were included. These two were selected by performing the above tests which gave satisfactory results. In BATCH-2, five samples of films were prepared with the above prepared gluten and another five with commercially available gluten powder. The other set of five samples were tested taking refined wheat flour instead of gluten for comparison purpose as refined wheat flour contains more protein percentage. The samples prepared with the gluten powder are simply mixed with the plasticizers to prepare a paste which gradually thickens to form films. The refined wheat flour films were prepared in similar fashion as the prepared gluten films. [7,8] These fifteen samples were further divided into two equal groups to test them under different soil conditions. The two soil samples taken wereSOIL+SAND SOIL+SAND+Fertilizer

Experimental Work Materials required Commercial vital wheat gluten with a protein content of 77% (dry matter), Sodium sulphite 0.025g anhydrous AR, Methanol AR> (GC) 99.5%, Acetic acid glacial for synthesis 99.5% Plasticizers:Glycerol GR 99%, Formaldehyde solution 37-41%, Salicyaldehyde AR> (GC) 99.5% All chemicals and Plasticizers were purchased from Piyush Chemicals, Gujarat. Apparatus Required Mechanical stirrer RQ-124A (RPM-4000) and TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) plate (20x20cm), Galvanized tray (35*40 cm) was purchased from Durga Scientific Glass Work, Gujarat. Aashirwad wheat flour was used for extraction of gluten.Soil for the biodegradability test was prepared by mixing farmland soil with the 10g fertilizers (with manure) & simple farmland soil (without manure) & the test was carried in the dimensions in aerobic condition. Method The WG bulk prepared from the above process was divided into various sets based on their mass ratios with respect to the various plasticizers to be used. For the preparation of WG films, gluten and plasticizers were hand-mixed vigorously in a mortar to mix all the components. The film forming solution was then allowed to settle in order to separate the foam formed (30 min). It was then spread on an oiled TLC plate and the film was again oiled at the top, used for the purpose of smoothening of films. [5] The thermoplastic process involves the formation

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International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, Vol. 4, Issue, 7, pp. 1091 - 1094, July, 2013
120 100 80 60 40 20 0

% DECOMPOSITION OF GLUTEN FROM WHEAT FLOUR(WITHOUT MANURE) % DECOMPOSITION OF GLUTEN FROM WHEAT FLOUR(WITH MANURE)

Fig. 7 Comparison of effect of manure on wheat flour gluten

Fig 4 Wheat gluten film plasticized with glycerol. Experimental data and graphs The results of BATCH 2 were as followsTable I: Percentage decomposition in 15 days (with manure) Table II: Percentage decomposition in 30 days (with manure) Table III: Percentage decomposition in 15 days (without manure) Table IV: Percentage decomposition in 30 days (without manure) The comparative graphs from the experiment for 30 days are as follows:
120 100 80 60 40 20 0 % DECOMPOSITION OF GLUTEN FROM WHEAT FLOUR % DECOMPOSITION OF GLUTEN FROM REFINED WHEAT FLOUR Fig 5 Comparison of decomposition rates for wheat flour gluten and maida gluten combined with different chemicals-without manure 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

% DECOMPOSITION OF GLUTEN FROM REFINED WHEAT FLOUR(WITHOUT MANURE) % DECOMPOSITION OF GLUTEN FROM REFINED WHEAT FLOUR(WITH MANURE)

Fig 8 Comparison of effect of manure on gluten from maida

Table 1 Percentage decomposition in 15 days (with manure)

Chemicals % Decomposition of gluten from wheat flour 69.70 49.14 22.45 26.50 94 % Decomposition of gluten from refined wheat flour ( maida) 65.23 64.27 3.50 97 98

Water+glycerol Glycerol Salicyclic acid+glycerol Lactic acid Pure(without an chemical)

120 100 80 60 40 20 0

% DECOMPOSITION OF GLUTEN FROM WHEAT FLOUR % DECOMPOSITION OF GLUTEN FROM REFINED WHEAT FLOUR

The WG polymers formed from lactic acid and Salicyclic acid showed slow degradation as compared to the other plasticizers. From the results obtained, it was seen that glycerol and water serve as better plasticisers amongst all. WG blended with the plasticisers such as glycerol and water exhibited best degradation irrespective of the raw WG extracted from wheat flour or refined wheat flour. WG polymer obtained from gluten extracted from refined wheat flour degraded faster as compared to that of wheat flour. Table 2 Percentage decomposition in 30 days (with manure)
Chemicals Water+glycerol Glycerol Salicyclic acid+glycerol Lactic acid Pure(without an chemical) % Decomposition of gluten from wheat flour 98.78 98.82 34 89.95 95 % Decomposition of gluten from refined wheat flour 98.88 98.28 20 91 96.2

Fig 6 Comparison of decomposition rates for wheat flour gluten and maida gluten combined with different chemicals-with manure

RESULT
WG extracted from wheat flour and refined wheat flour was blended with different plasticisers and put into the farmland soil under two condition of soil and soil + manure. It was observed that pure WG biodegraded within 2 months irrespective of the type of farmland soil i.e. manure and without manure addition.

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International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, Vol. 4, Issue, 7, pp. 1091 - 1094, July, 2013 Table 3 Percentage decomposition in 15 days (Without manure)
Chemicals Water+glycerol Glycerol Salicyclic acid+glycerol Lactic acid Pure(without an chemical) % Decomposition of gluten from wheat flour 69.62 62.2 20 56.8 92 % Decomposition of gluten from refined wheat flour 64.13 63.17 3.8 89.2 97

Table 4 Percentage decomposition in 30 days (without manure)

Chemicals Water+glycerol Glycerol Salicyclic acid+glycerol Lactic acid Pure(without an chemical) % Decomposition of gluten from wheat flour 98.78 94.22 32 86.5 97.12 % Decomposition of gluten from refined wheat flour 97.98 98.12 28 90.6 98

WG can easily biodegraded than plastic in aerobic conditions within 40 days.In conclusion, although the technological treatment of gluten materials had a substantial impact on their rheological properties, the degradation behavior was merely affected. Similarly the protein volume of gluten strongly modified technically shows no toxic outcome on the microorganisms in the vessel during the process of degradation, showing the inhibition of the microbial growth. Its protein fraction is highly degradable, even when it is subjected to severe industrial treatments. Its degradation feature together with its unique gas barrier and viscoelastic properties make it an ideal precursor for the development of new eco-friendly polymers. It has been studied as a film former due to its cohesive and elastic properties. Reactive side groups of wheat proteins susceptible to physical, chemical or enzymic modifications make them possible to obtain a threedimensional network with appropriate strength and functional properties. The experiments were conducted on a lab scale and two stages of the experiment were concluded. The films were subjected to biodegradability tests and results have been noted and presented.

References
1. http://www.shorelinecleanup.ca/sites/default/files/gcscs taff/ICCGuide.pdf 2. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and Global Agricultural Information network Annual Grain Report2012http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN% 20Publications/Grain%20and%20Feed%20Annual_Ne w%20Delhi_India_2-23-2012.pdf 3. Domenek S., Feuilloley P., Gratraud J., Morel M., Guilbert S., Chemosphere ,2004; 54(4):551-9 4. Wieser H.; Chemistry of Gluten Protein German research centre of food chemistry 5. Shewry P.R., Halford N.G., Belton P.S. and Tatham A.S.; Journal of Cereal Science, Issue 1, 2005, 42:81-91 6. Pommeta M, Redl A., Guilberta S., Morela M., Journal of Cereal Science, 2005,42: 8191 7. Tokiwa, Y.; Iwamoto, A.; Koyama, M. Polym. Mats. Sci. Eng. 1990, 63:742-746. 8. http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AI D=/20080506/multimedia02/80505016 9. Patni N, Yadava P, Agarwal A, Maroo V ; Indian Journal of Applied Research,2013;3(8);253-255.

CONCLUSION
Extensive efforts are being made to develop biopolymers from renewable resources as the matrix and/or reinforcing materials Both partially green composites where either the reinforcing or the matrix materials are biodegradable and completely green composites where either the reinforcing and matrix materials are biodegradable are derived from renewable resources have been developed. Both the chemical and physical properties of plastics play an important role in the mechanism of biodegradation. The surface conditions such as surface area, hydrophobic properties and hydrophilic, and the first order structures like chemical structure, molecular weight distribution and molecular weight, also the high order structures (glass transition temperature, melting temperature, crystallinity, modulus of elasticity and crystal structure) of polymers affect the biodegradation processes.

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