The Application Effects of Truly Biodegradable Mulch in Potato Farmlands

[Objective] The aim was to explore application effects of truly biodegradable mulch in farmlands and provide data support for large area spreading on southern potato fields. [Method] The field plot experiments were conducted to investigate mulch film＇s weight loss and the effects of using truly biodegradable mulch film on potato yield and agronomic characters. [Result] The emergence rates of truly biodegradable mulch film and black plastic mulch film kept 9.71% and9.27% higher compared with the open field, and yield increased by 30.84% and36.81%. In the potato harvest period, the truly biodegradable mulch films already broke, and mulch film＇s weight loss rate was 58.62%. It can be completely degraded in the field after some time, and following crops would not be affected. [Conclusion] Truly biodegradable mulch performs significantly in increasing yield and keeps higher in weight-loss rate, so that it has a promising future.

Infrared Spectroscopy for Studying Foods and Biodegradable Packaging

The results of study of foods and biodegradable film structure with the use of infrared spectroscopy （IR spectra） are presented. For the first time detailed decodings of IR spectra of some foods and biodegradable film packaging materials are shown. Interpretation of the spectra of basic biopolymers of foods and biodegradable films is given. It is corroborated with the help of IR spectra that the chemical reactions in biopolymers when heated to 130 ~C do not occur, which makes it possible to use biologically valuable raw materials. Furthermore, the expediency of use of IR spectroscopy for studying changes in foods and films produced on biopolymer base is established. IR spectroscopy is a fast method that allows you to monitor changes that occur with the raw materials in the technological process. Previously, IR spectroscopy was used to identify the compounds in chemical synthesis. This study shows that IR spectra can be used for study of foods and biodegradable film structure.

Valorization of wheat bran arabinoxylan: A review on nutritional and materials perspectives

Wheat bran, a principal byproduct of flour milling, stands as an abundant source of dietary fiber, yet its economic potential remains under-exploited in current forage applications. Arabinoxylan(AX), constituting the core of dietary fiber, emerges as a versatile compound with multifaceted functionalities. Its nutritional significance,coupled with its role in cereal food processing, has prompted a surge of studies focusing on the valorization of wheat bran AX. Moreover, the hydrolyzed derivative, arabinoxylan oligosaccharides(AXOS), demonstrates prebiotic and antioxidant properties, offering potential avenues to mitigate the risk of chronic diseases. This review summarizes current knowledge on the valorization of wheat bran AX in terms of the processing and nutritional properties of AX. Moreover, multiple novel applications of AX in the materials area, including biodegradable food packaging films, delivery of bioactive substances as nanoparticles, and the manufacture of food emulsifiers, are also highlighted to extend the utilization of AX. This review underscores the immense potential of wheat bran AX, advocating for its exploitation not only as a nutritional asset but also as a primary ingredient in advanced materials. The synthesis of nutritional and materials perspectives accentuates the multifaceted utility of wheat bran AX, thereby paving the way for sustainable valorization pathways. By unraveling the latent potential within AX, this paper advocates for the holistic and sustainable utilization of wheat bran in diverse, value-added applications.

The structure,tensile properties and water resistance of hydrolyzed feather keratin-based bioplastics

Feather, as a by-product of the poultry industry, has long been treated as a solid waste, which causes environ- mental and economic problems. In this work, the hydrolyzed feather keratin （HFK） was extracted from the chicken feather using a cost-effective method of alkali-extraction and acid-precipitation by applying urea and sodium sulfide. The aim was development and characterization of the eco-friendly films based on the HFK with variable glycerol contents by a thermoplastic process. The thermal analysis showed that high temperature and high pres- sure improved the compatibility between the glycerol and the HFI（ molecules. Also it was shown that the addi- tion of water is necessary in the hot-pressing process of films, The FT-IR analysis indicated that the formation of the new hydrogen bonds between HFK and glycerol. By increasing the glycerol content, the film tensile strength （orb ） decreases from 10,5 MPa to 5.7 MPa and the solubility increases from 15.3% to 20.9%, while the elongation at break （εb） achieves the maximum value of 63,8% for the film with 35% glycerol. The swelling was just below 16.9% at 25 ℃ for 24 h, suggesting a good stability of the films in water. The water vapor permeability （WVP） varied between 3.02 x 10 ^10g. m 2. s-1 . pa-1 and 4.11 x 10-10g · m-2 · s-1 · Pa-1 for the films with 20%and 40% glycerol, respectively. The HFK film was uniform, translucent and tough, which could be used in packaging and agricultural field.

Effects of biodegradable mulching films on soil hydrothermal conditions and yield of drip-irrigated cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The pollution of cotton fields by residual films is serious on ground that has been subjected to long-term drip irrigation in Xinjiang,China,and biodegradable mulches are therefore advocated as an alternative to plastic ones.In this study the mulching with biodegradable films under drip irrigation conditions in the extremely arid region of Xinjiang was investigated to determine the effects on soil hydrothermal conditions and cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)yield over two consecutive years(2019-2020)using plastic mulch made from polyethylene(PE)film and four types of biodegradable films,including black opaque oxidation-biodegradable film(M1),colorless transparent oxidation-biodegradable film(M2),black opaque fully biodegradable film(M3)and white translucent fully biodegradable film(M4),which had different levels of biodegradability(i.e.different degradation times and rates).The biodegradability,soil water contents,soil temperatures and cotton yields were compared between the degradable(M1 to M4)and PE films.The results indicated that M2 was degraded the quickest and showed the highest degree of degradation compared with the other degradable films and PE films.The degradation rates of the various mulching films were ranked in a descending order as M2,M4,M1,M3 and PE,but the PE mulch exhibited the best performance in terms of soil water and heat conservation throughout the growth period.The soil heat preservation and moisture conservation performance under biodegradable films mulching at the cotton seedling stage and budding stage was similar to that of PE film.The average soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm under mulching with the degradable films was 2.66°C-5.06°C(p<0.05)lower than that under traditional PE films at the flowering stage.At the late stage of cotton growth,the water content of shallow soil mulched with PE film was better for plant grown than that under the biodegradable films.The effect of film degradation on the shallow soil water content was much greater than that in deep soil,especially at a depth of 0-40 cm.However,in all treatments,the seedling rate and growth index of cotton under M2 were equivalent to that found under the PE film.Moreover,the cotton yield using M2 was slightly higher than that for the PE film.Compared with the PE film,the yield of cotton mulched with M1,M3 and M4 was decreased by 7.50%,6.45%and 2.83%in 2019,and 9.82%,6.48%,and 2.13%,in 2020,respectively.Therefore,based on the performance in improving cotton yield and maintaining soil moisture,the biodegradable transparent film(M2)with an 80 d induction period is recommended as a competitive alternative to plastic mulch to enhance crop yield and control soil pollution.

Degradability of biodegradable plastic films and its mulching effects on soil temperature and maize yield in northeastern China

Plastic film is an important resource in agricultural production,but it takes hundreds of years to degrade completely in natural environment.The large-scale use of plastic film will inevitably lead to serious environmental pollution.One way to solve the problem is to develop a substitutable mulching film,such as a biodegradable film that can ultimately be decomposed to water,carbon dioxide,and soil organic matter by micro-organisms.In this study,a 2-year experiment was conducted to determine the degradation properties of a biodegradable plastic film,including degradation rate,surface microstructure,tensile strength and elongation at break,and the effects of different mulching treatments on soil temperature and maize yield.The mulching experiment was conducted with three different biodegradable plastic films with different degradation rates,using a common plastic film and a non-mulched treatment as control.With the addition of the additives for degradation in the biodegradable plastic films,the degradation rates increased significantly,which were 7.2%-17.8%in 2017 and 18.1%-35.2%in 2018 after maize harvesting.However,the degradation occurred mainly on the ridge side.The decrease in tensile strength and elongation was proportional to the degradation rate of the degradable film.The SEM results indicated that the surface microstructures of the biodegradable films were loose and heterogeneous after maize harvesting.Biodegradable plastic film mulching increased the soil temperature at soil depths of 5 cm,15 cm,and 25 cm,over the maize’s entire growth period,by 3.1℃-3.2℃ in 2017 and 1.2℃-2.1℃ in 2018 compared with the non-mulched treatment.The biodegradable plastic film increased the maize yield by 10.4%-14.3%in 2017 and 11.6%-24.7%in 2018.The soil temperature and maize yield increases were statistically significant;however,with respect to maize qualities,there were no statistically significant increases among the five treatments.This study shows that biodegradable plastic film can be used as a substitute for common plastic film.However,the ingredients in biodegradable plastic films should be improved further to ensure that they can be degraded completely after crop harvest.

Effects of degradable films with different degradation cycles on soil temperature,moisture and maize yield

Photo biodegradable film is an ideal degradable mulch film with synergistic effect of photo-degradability and biodegradability.To examine the covering effects of different films,maize was cultivated in the field with three kinds of degradable films(DF)mulching which had different degradation cycles(DF No.1,No.2 and No.3),with common plastic film mulching and no filming mulching(open ground)as comparison.The degradation rates and degrees of degradable films were examined,and the effects of different films on soil temperature,soil moisture,maize yield and relevant characteristics in each treatment were analyzed.The results indicated that the degradable films had good degradability,and the weight loss rate in 100 d for DF No.1,No.2,and No.3 were 22.31%,19.46%,and 15.63%,which were 4.16,3.63,and 2.92 times of the plastic film,respectively.In the early period of maize growth,the degradable films had good warming effects on soil,which were similar with the plastic film.The effect of DF No.2 on soil water conservation was slightly better than that of DF No.1 or No.3,similar with that of the plastic film.The soil water contents in 0-140 cm depths were significantly higher for DF No.2 than that for the open ground(p<0.05).The degradable films could significantly promote the ear development of maize,improve the ear characteristics,shorten the bald tip,and increase kernel number per plant(KNP)and 1000-kernel weight(TKW).The grain yields(GYs)for DF No.2,No.1,and No.3 were significantly improved,with 35.15%,31.35%,and 30.07%higher than that the open ground respectively(p<0.05).With no significant difference between DF and the plastic film,the GY was increased more for DF No.2 than that for DF No.1 and No.3.The degradable films fulfilled successfully all the functions of the plastic film,thus they were recommended as viable option to the plastic film due to their good degradability.

Specific Ion Effects on the Enzymatic Degradation of Polyester Films

Soil environment on earth contains a variety of ions,which are expected to play a vital role in the biodegradation of plastics discarded in the environment.In this work,poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT)is employed as a model biodegradable plastic to study the specific ion effects on the enzymatic degradation of polyester plastics.The results show that the specific ion effects on the enzymatic degradation rate of the PBAT films and on the catalytic rate constant for the enzymatic hydrolysis of the ester bonds are strongly dependent on temperature and ionic strength.Both the enzymatic degradation rate and catalytic rate constant decrease following the trends Na^(+)>K^(+)>Ca^(2+)and Cl^(-)>SO_(4)^(2-)>NO_(3)^(-)for cations and anions,respectively,indicating that the ion-specific enzymatic degradation of the PBAT films is closely correlated with the specific ion effects on enzymatic hydrolysis of the ester bonds.Our study shows that the specific ion effects on the enzyme activity can be understood by taking into account the ion-specific cation-anion interaction,ionic dispersion force,salting-out effect and salting-in effect.This study of specific ion effects on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the ester bonds and the resultant enzymatic degradation of the PBAT films would offer us a new clue to develop new biodegradable,environmentally friendly synthetic plastics.

Characterization of synbiotic films based on carboxymethyl cellulose/β-glucan and development of a shelf life prediction model

Carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)/β-glucan(BG)-based films(100:0,75:25,50:50,25:75)were developed and characterized to extend the survivability of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and establish a shelf life prediction model.The incorporation of inulin(IL,2%and 4%)into the CMC matrix was also assessed.Films containing 2%IL and 50%BG were selected to develop probiotic films due to their suitable physicomechanical and barrier properties.Fourier-transform infrared(FT-IR)spectroscopy spectra and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)images showed good compatibility between prebiotics and CMC films matrix.Although tensile strength and water vapor permeability(WVP)of films reduced by prebiotics addition,their oxygen barrier and extensibility were significantly improved.Acceptable viability of probiotic cells was observed in film containing BG;at 4℃(8.3 Log CFU/g),10℃(8.06 Log CFU/g)and 25℃(7.37 Log CFU/g),and under simulated gastrointestinal conditions(7.87 Log CFU/g).This new edible film would be inspiring for future bioactive-loaded packaging.

Novel bioactive films integrated with Pickering emulsion of ginger essential oil for food packaging application

Biocomposite films based on carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)/polyvinyl alcohol(PVOH)added ginger essential oil(GEO)via Pickering emulsion(PE)method were fabricated and applied for preservation of bread.The films were assessed for their physicochemical,morphological,mechanical,thermal,antioxidant,and microbial properties.SEM imaging indicated encapsulation of GEO spherical droplets into PE.The films exhibited lower tensile strength,higher elongation at break,and thickness after adition of GEO PE.ATR/FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated the formation of some interaction between polymer matrix and GEO PE.Packaging of bread slices with GEO integrated biocomposite films extended the shelf life of bread from 4 to 30 days.Remarkably,the GEOloaded CMC/PVOH films showed excellent UV and light barrier properties,high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities,which make them suitable for food packaging application.

Eriobotrya japonica fruits and its by-products:A promising fruit with bioactive profile and trends in the food application–A bibliometric review

Due to the researchers’pursuit for bioactive compounds to perform biological activities beneficial for human health,many plants species have been explored.Thus,loquat(Eriobotrya japonica),a subtropical plant originated in south-central China and is nowadays cultivated in more than 30 countries across the globe is drawing attention.Nowadays,its leaves and branches are processed into important pharmaceuticals while its fruit(pulp and peel)still remain insufficiently exploited being consumed mainly in natura.The aim of this work is to conduct a bibliometric survey throughout the Web of Science©(WOS)Main Collection and Dimensions database to highlight and correlate the research that has been carried out on this fruit.The goals are to discover the extent of the research that has already been conducted,from which fields of knowledge the research has been approached,and understand the study trends that point toward future applications in the food industry.With the data obtained by the up-to-date bibliometric analysis was possible to verify that the plant has been well explored in the medicinal,chemical,and pharmaceutical sector,while the fruit,especially their seed and their starch has been highlighted in the medicinal field or food science but with no extensive industrial usage.Only 112 papers were published regarding the loquat seeds and only 4 studied their by-products which are rich in bioactive compounds and therefore have great potential for food applications.