Chemists at Samara State Technical University (SamSTU) have developed and patented an environmentally safe method for producing biodegradable polyesters for food packaging. Here are the details.
The work was carried out at the Department of Organic and Petrochemical Synthesis Technology. Using a new method, chemists have learned to produce biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBS). It is based on succinic and malic acids without the use of solvents and toxic catalysts.
SamSTU specialists intend to conduct additional tests in collaboration with medical research laboratories to achieve characteristics suitable for industrial production.
PBS polyester is used to create packaging and containers for food products, films and products for agriculture. It can be used in medicine for the production of absorbable threads, osteoplastic materials, coatings and hydrogels for tissue engineering.
The patented method allows to improve characteristics such as brittleness and crystallinity, as well as to increase biocompatibility with stem cells involved in the formation of bone tissue. The new technology increases the hydrophilicity of the resulting material, which, in turn, accelerates its biodegradation.
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