title: Compatibilization of starch-zein melt processed blends by an ionic liquid used as plasticizer.
abstract: An ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [BMIM]Cl) was used as a plasticizer in starch, zein and their blends; and compared to glycerol, a classical plasticizer of starch. Thermoplastic plasticized biopolymer materials were obtained by melt processing using a twin screw microcompounder. Such a device allows simulating a twin screw extrusion process on small batches of a few grams, and to evaluate the necessary specific mechanical energy input for native starch destructurization; and the final apparent melt viscosity. Both were shown to be significantly reduced for starch in presence of [BMIM]Cl (compared to glycerol), while zein processing behavior was less sensitive to the plasticizer used. This induces significant starch/zein viscosity ratio differences, which affect melt mixing of the starch zein blends. In starch rich blends, this results in smaller zein aggregates in the case of [BMIM]Cl. The characterization of the materials indicates that, compared to glycerol, the use of [BMIM]Cl leads to less hygroscopicity, a more efficient plasticization of both starch and zein phases and a compatibilization of starch/zein blends.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés Environnement Agroalimentaire (GEPEA UMR CNRS 6144), CRTT, 37 av. de l'université, 44606 St. Nazaire cedex, France.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés Environnement Agroalimentaire (GEPEA UMR CNRS 6144), CRTT, 37 av. de l'université, 44606 St. Nazaire cedex, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacquet
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés Environnement Agroalimentaire (GEPEA UMR CNRS 6144), CRTT, 37 av. de l'université, 44606 St. Nazaire cedex, France; Unité Biopolymères Intéractions Assemblages (BIA), INRA Nantes-Angers, Rue de la Géraudière, BP 71627, 44316 Nantes cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Gildas
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coativy
authors.affiliation: Unité Biopolymères Intéractions Assemblages (BIA), INRA Nantes-Angers, Rue de la Géraudière, BP 71627, 44316 Nantes cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Anne Laure
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Reguerre
authors.affiliation: Unité Biopolymères Intéractions Assemblages (BIA), INRA Nantes-Angers, Rue de la Géraudière, BP 71627, 44316 Nantes cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lourdin
mesh_terms: D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry*; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D015028:Zein / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D052578:Ionic Liquids; D010968:Plasticizers; D013213:Starch; D015028:Zein