Produção de filmes biodegradáveis de componentes fibrosos de caroço de açaí (Euterpe oleracea M.) a base de amido de mandioca (Manihot eesculenta C.) plasticizado com glicerol e sorbitol.

Abstract

The growing consumption of açai juice has increased the inappropriate discard of açaí seed residue, and results in environmental and sanitation problems. Therefore, there is the biopolymeric blends study, based on cassava starch and açaí seed components incorporated with polyols, and application on biodegradable films production as an alternative to minimization of waste disposal. The açaí seed was collected, treated and air circulation oven dried at 60 ºC, crushed and sieved. The used parts of açaí seeds have been characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The films elaborate have been characterized by mechanical properties of tensile resistance and elongation, thickness, transparency and water solubility. Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin have been identified from the XRD and infrared peaks, as well as the disclosure of the cell wall by microscopies. The incorporation of polyols by the fractions caused differentiation of the elaborated films, allowing the manipulation and increasing of their properties. The perspective of biodegradable films elaboration incorporated with fractions of açaí seed allows the less polluting plastic insertion into the consumer market, reducing the damage caused by the disposal in the environment.