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Abstract
Extensive quantities of apple pomace are generated annually but its disposal is still challenging. This study addresses this issue by introducing a new, environmentally-friendly approach for the production of sustainable biomaterials from apple pomace, containing 55.47% free sugars and a water insoluble fraction, containing 29.42 ± 0.44% hemicelluloses, 38.99 ± 0.42% cellulose, and 22.94 ± 0.12% lignin. Solution casting and compression molding were applied to form bio-based films and 3D objects (i.e., fiberboards), respectively. Using glycerol as plasticizer resulted in highly compact films with high tensile strength and low elongation (16.49 ± 2.54 MPa and 10.78 ± 3.19%, respectively). In contrast, naturally occurring sugars in the apple pomace showed stronger plasticizing effect in the films and resulted in a fluffier and connected structure with significantly higher elongation (37.39 ± 10.38% and 55.41 ± 5.38%, respectively). Benefiting from the self-binding capacity of polysaccharides, fiberboards were prepared by compression molding at 100 °C using glycerol or naturally occurring sugars, such as plasticizer. The obtained fiberboards exhibited tensile strength of 3.02–5.79 MPa and elongation of 0.93%–1.56%. Possible applications for apple pomace biomaterials are edible/disposable tableware or food packaging.
Highlights
The widespread use of synthetic plastics is leading to significant, well-documented impacts on the environment, and replacing them with bio-based alternatives may mitigate the effects of pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions
The need to replace conventional synthetic plastics has led to development of a rich and diverse field of research in bioplastic production
Solution casting and compression molding techniques were successfully employed for preparation of biofilms and 3D objects from apple pomace, respectively
Summary
The widespread use of synthetic plastics is leading to significant, well-documented impacts on the environment, and replacing them with bio-based alternatives may mitigate the effects of pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions This has led to the development of a rich and diverse field of research in bioplastic production. The acidic characteristics of apples, with their high sugar and low protein content, makes pomace unsuitable for landfilling and animal feedstock [11,12,13]. This residue has a high moisture and biodegradable organic content which can be used for bioplastic production. Apple pomace consists mainly of cellulose (7%–44%), starch (14%–17%), pectin (4%–14%), and insoluble lignin (15%–20%) [14]
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