UNN chemists help to phase out plastic packaging

Scientists at Lobachevsky University have developed a biopolymer based on starch and chitosan, which is highly biocompatible and hypoallergenic. According to UNN chemists, this biopolymer  can become a new eco-trend and replace similar foreign products.

"The packaging made from this biopolymer resembles soft foam plastic but is completely biodegradable. The composite is recycled in less than a month by the common mold fungus, which makes the new material an environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene, and will help reduce plastic waste," explained Ekaterina Kachalova, postgraduate student at the UNN Department of High-Molecular Compounds and Colloidal Chemistry who is a co-author of the project.

In 2023, Lobachevsky University researchers patented the starch and chitosan synthesis technology.

Modified starch and chitosan dissolved in acid are combined with a crosslinking agent such as formaldehyde, and foamed. By controlling the process at different stages, materials with desired properties can be produced.

By making the material solid and insoluble in water, UNN chemists have created a sorbent for industrial water treatment to remove metal and non-metal ions. The material can be reused, allowing not only safe disposal but also more cost-efficient production.

According to the scientists, depending on the synthesis conditions, starch and chitosan can also be used to produce absorbent medical materials, water-holding agents for agriculture and nutrient media for growing plants without soil.