Recent research at SVSU has resulted in innovative biodegradable plastics created from soy protein isolate and polysaccharide-rich corn cob powder. It has been hypothesized that electrostatic interactions or amide bonds form between positively charged amines of the protein and carboxylates of the oxidized polysaccharides. The purpose of this study is to further investigate this hypothesis using Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. A major focus has been on the building blocks of these intriguing bioplastics. Cellulose, carboxylated cellulose, soy protein isolate, soy meal, and soy beans were thoroughly analyzed. From these components, conformational changes were observed using Raman spectroscopy that may be contributing to the overall strength of the bioplastics. To further explore the molecular interactions that may be contributing to the strength of the bioplastics, thermal analysis of the building blocks as well as the bioplastics was performed.

Characterization of novel polysaccharide and protein composites

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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