Elaboración de un biopolímero a partir del almidón de la cáscara de trigo (Triticum aestivum l.)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to obtain biopolymers from the starch of the wheat husk (Triticum aestivum L.) to use as food wrappers. First, the starch was obtained following the guidelines described by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Later, the physicochemical analyses were carried out, then the biopolymer was obtained through a 2k factorial design with two variables (weight of starch and amount of plasticizer), each variable with two levels, thus obtaining 4 treatments with four repetitions each. Finally, physicochemical, and mechanical and microbiological tests were carried out on the biopolymer obtained. The yield of the starch obtained was from 15.32 to 21.31%; the moisture content was 11.12%; ash 0.10%; solubility 0.49%; viscosity 873.00 SP; the amylose content was 24.33 and the amylopectin content was 57.75%. Obtaining the biopolymer was carried out through 4 treatments varying the grams of starch from the wheat husk (4 and 6 g) and the amount of plasticizer (2 and 3 mL). All the treatments gave favourable results, forming a film that had appreciable transparency. However, the stability was not good in all the treatments, only TP1 presented stability of the biopolymer in all its repetitions, the thickness of the plastic films was 0.2 mm, with a humidity percentage of 12.17%, the solubility of 58.42%, mechanical tests were also favourable, in addition, more than 95% degradation of the biopolymer was obtained within 45 days. In conclusion, the biopolymer with the best results was obtained with TP1, obtaining a transparent and stable film that can later be moulded to be used in the agro-industrial industry, thus reducing the use of traditional plastic, therefore contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution.