Using of Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica) Mucilage and a Polyol Mixture as Bio-based Film Material for Packaging

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new edible biofilm using chia seed mucilage (CSM) and a polyol mixture for pharmaceutical and food packaging applications. The CSM extraction and yield is improved by using a technology consisting of ultrasonication, temperature and vacuum filtration. There remains an unmet need to create environmentally friendly plastic materials for preserving food and drugs. Currently, 72% of produced plastics are not recycled, 40% are discarded into landfills, and 32% are left in natural habitats. Purdue researchers have optimized a biofilm with a CSM, sorbitol, and glycerol that exhibits high tensile strength of 2.01 N/mm^2, low water permeability of 1.73*10e-9 g*s*Pa/m, and high elongation at break of 31.73%. In addition, the new biofilm is highly soluble and biodegradable. Raman scattering was used to verify a high number of hydrogen bonds in the biofilm, including shifts from 854 to 872 cm^-1 and 1061 to 1076 cm^-1 for beta-COO modes, indicating promise that the material will allow oxygen transfer when used as a food or drug coating.

Advantages:

-Edible

-High-Strength

-Excellent Plasticity

-Promising Hydrogen Bonding

-Sustainable

-Environmentally Friendly

-Low Water Permeability

Potential Applications:

-Edible Pharmaceutical and Food Packaging

-Biofilms

-Materials Research

Technology Validation:

The composition of the new biofilm has been characterized in lab by tensile testing, Raman spectroscopy, elasticity/stretchability, and water permeability testing.

Recent Publication:

"Development of chia seed (Salvia hispanica) mucilage films plasticized with polyol mixtures: Mechanical and barrier properties"

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.023

TRL: 3

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: edible biofilm, chia seed mucilage, CSM, polyol mixture, food packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, biodegradable plastic, high tensile strength, low water permeability, sustainable materials, sorbitol, glycerol, Biodegradable, Biofilms, Chemical Synthesis, Drug Manufacturing, Environment, Food and Nutrition, food packaging, Food Storage, food technology, Materials and Manufacturing, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, packaging