Recent research at SVSU has resulted in an innovative biodegradable plastic created from soy protein isolate and polysaccharide-rich corn cob powder. After treating corn cob powder with hypochlorite to oxidize the C6 of each glucose monomer to a negatively charged carboxylate, the soy protein isolate is added. Then, the components are compression molded at high temperatures. It is hypothesized that electrostatic interactions or an amide bond forms between positively charged amines of the protein and carboxylates of the polysaccharides. The purpose of this study is to further investigate the chemistry behind this process using recently procured analytical equipment, including Raman spectroscopy. Different variables of the process and ratios of the reagents are modified to see how the properties of the biodegradable plastic vary. Included in this modification is the exploration of the usage of the enzyme trypsin to increase the amount of available amines in the soy protein isolate.

Raman and thermal analyses of novel bioplastics

241st National Meeting (2011)

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