By USDA AFRI Grant no Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs BIOENERGY AND BIOPRODUCTS

Importance of Polymers

Plastic is in a lot of stuff!

What are some of the consequences of the throw away culture? What happens to single use plastic products after we dispose of them?

Plastic BottlesPlastic Bags Plastic does not biodegrade

Landfills Where does it all end up?

Accumulates in ecosystems

Accumulates in municipalities

Accumulates in local water sources

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

1. Public acceptance to bioproducts March 31, 2011 USDA News Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan unveiled today the first 60 products that consumers will soon see in stores throughout the country bearing the new USDA BioPreferred product label for certified biobased products % of renewable material

BioProducts

Benefits of BioProducts Environmental Factors Renewable Carbon Neutral Local Production Biodegradable, Environmentally Compatible Green Chemistry, Reduced Toxicity Lower Energy Requirements Environmental Factors Renewable Carbon Neutral Local Production Biodegradable, Environmentally Compatible Green Chemistry, Reduced Toxicity Lower Energy Requirements

Bioproducts Bioproducts: Household cleaners Paints and stains Personal care items Plastic bottles & containers Packaging materials Office supplies Soaps & detergents Lubricants Clothing Plates, napkins, cutlery Building materials Source: OBIC

The most well-known plant resources tend to be soybeans and corn; however, bioproducts are not limited to just those plant resources. Below is a brief list of plant resources that can be used in the creation of bioproducts: Sunflowers Canola Miscanthus Mycelium (vegetative part of fungus) Switchgrass Algae Forest-derived materials Sugarcane Flax Potatoes Wheat Source: OBIC

Benefits of bioproducts Biofuels Bioplastics & polymers Natural rubber & resins Biocomposites Biomedicines Biochemicals Bioproducts shared 12% of target chemicals in Projected to 25% in Benefits Petro-independence Carbon neutral Biodegradable Non/less toxic Green jobs Bioeconomy

Biopolymers

Synthetic polymers Synthetic rubber, nylon, PVC, polystyrene, polyethylene, silicone, polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, … Biopolymers Polylactic acid (PLA), zein, rubber (polyisoprene), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, fiber (cellulose) Petro-based, non-biodegradable Bio-based, carbon neutral Biodegradable, compostable Decompose to undistinguishable under nat. conditions in 5 yrs >60% C to CO 2 within 180 d under ind. composting conditions

Polystyrene is a long chain of many styrene units Synthetic plastics & polymers

Starch is a long chain of many glucose units

Polyester derived from plant starch or sugar Starch→ lactic acid→ dilactate ester→ PLA Glass transition T: 62ºC Melting point: 175ºC Used for bioplastics to make biodegradable cups, food packing, table wares, woven shirts, and shrink wraps Polylactic acid (PLA)

Polyester derived from plant starch or sugar Starch→ lactic acid→ dilactate ester→ PLA Glass transition T: 62ºC Melting point: 175ºC Used for bioplastics to make biodegradable cups, food packing, table wares, woven shirts, and shrink wraps Polylactic acid (PLA)

Degradability of PLA products Changes of a PLA bottle in 35 d composting

Degradability of PLA products Decomposition of a PLA lid after 35 d composting

Cellophane Derived from plant cellulose Wood →alkali bath →acid bath →glycerin bath Cellophane packing Low permeability to air, oils, greases, and bacteria Used for food packing, cigar packing, self- adhesive tapes, semi- permeable membranes

Zein Prolamine protein from maize gluten meal Odorless, tasteless, hard, water-insoluble, and edible Used as a coating for candy, nuts, fruit, pills, paper cup & drug capsules, cap lining, cloth fabric, button, and a gum substitute

Natural rubber Polyisoprene refined from latex Used for manufacturing tires & tubes, gloves, balloons, adhesives, pencil erasers, rubber bands, rain boots, & window profiles Latex from a Para rubber tree

Bio-based adhesives

Starch-based bioadhesives Made from starch Uses Glue labels & board Binders for paints For primering For construction materials Sticky tapes Water-based Hot-melt

Protein-based bioadhesives Made from gelatin Water-resistant Strong Nontoxic Jelly glue Uses Bookbinding Paper converting Assembly Packaging

Other bioadhesives

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How do we change a consumer's behaviors?

Increased Consumer Demands

This is where Plant Scientists come in! What type of questions might plant scientists ask?

Activity Eco-Friendly Packing Peanuts: Making Them and Putting Them to the Test

Investigation 1: Creating Effective Biodegradable Packing Peanuts Challenge: How can the chemical components be changed to create a “better”, more effective biodegradable packing peanut.

Baking Powder When dissolved in water, acid salts reacts with sodium bicarbonate and produces carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide creates bubbles within the mixture forming gas pockets. Glycerol Is a plasticizer that gives plastics flexibility and durability. Water was used in the standard. Glycerol (derived from vegetable oil or animal fat). Baking powder will make the packing peanut fluffier. Glycerol will make the packing peanut flexible.