Development of green superabsorbent materials from a by-product of the meat industry

Porcine plasma protein (PPP), a by-product of the meat industry, is considered for the development of eco-friendly superabsorbent materials due to its relatively high content in polar amino acids. Using glycerol (Gly) as plasticizer, different PPP/Gly ratios (50/50, 55/45, 60/40) were injection moulded at different moulding temperatures (60-120 degrees C). It is noteworthy that all bioplastics produced might be defined as superabsorbent materials, except those processed at higher moulding temperatures (100, 120 degrees C). Bioplastics moulded for 150 sat lower temperatures (60 degrees C) and using a holding pressure of 500 bar displayed the highest water uptake capacity (similar to 2,530%). Moreover, these processing conditions also resulted in lower thermomechanical properties. PPP represents an attractive and economic bioresource for the production of biodegradable superabsorbent matrices, which could represent an alternative to the extensively used synthetic materials. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.