1. 3D printed food package casings from sugarcane bagasse: a waste valorization study
- Author
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Jeyan A. Moses, C. Anandharamakrishnan, and Sundus Nida
- Subjects
3d printed ,Flexural strength ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Nozzle ,Environmental science ,Degradation (geology) ,Relative humidity ,Biodegradation ,Bagasse ,Pulp and paper industry ,Water content - Abstract
The present work examines the printability, biodegradability, water sorption studies, and applicability of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) for developing customized three-dimensional food package casings. Material supply was found to be extrudable by applying 3.2 bar pressure using a 1.28-mm diameter nozzle with the speed of the motor at 240 rpm. The process parameters for printing were optimized at 500 mm/min printing speed, 0.304 ± 0.003 g/min printing rate, and 0.450 mm nozzle height. The printed SCB showed degradation in the soil upon microbial attack. The 3D-printed SCB package casings had a water sorption capacity of more than 0.07 (g of water/g of solids) at above 50% relative humidity. An applicability test was performed for the storage of cake. The moisture content of the packaging increased, and decreased moisture content was observed for the cake, over 9 days. The flexural properties were also examined for 9 days that suggests the use of SCB packaging for low moisture-containing foods. This work explains an alternative approach for the replacement of petroleum-based single-use plastic that causes serious damage to the environment.
- Published
- 2021