Edible plastic is created by researchers at Unicamp

In the race to find ecological solutions to plastic, researcher Farayde Matta Fakhouri created a flexible, biodegradable and edible bioplastic. The product was developed based on natural polymers from renewable sources: starch and gelatin.
Ecological plastic is the result of the researcher's doctoral thesis at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering (FEQ) and Food Engineering (FEA) at Unicamp. Farayde was mentored by Professor Lucia Helena Inoocentini Mei, from FEQ, and professor Fernanda Paula Collares Queiroz, from FEA.
All three were recognized by the Inventors Award 2020, held by Agência Inova Unicamp.
By thermoplastic extrusion process, starch and gelatin are glued into one machine. There they are subjected to high pressure without solvent application. The next process is called blowing and from there you get the bioplastic.
Although the use of biodegradable polymers is not new, the technique of blowing with edible and non-toxic materials is an unprecedented solution. So much so that they applied for a patent with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).
"Our plastic is nontoxic and can be used in toys and children's items after sanitized. So if a child takes it to the mouth, there will be no problem," explains Professor Lucia Mei.
To the Unicamp Innovation Agency, Farayde explained that several starches with different proportions of gelatin were tested until the ideal formulation was reached. The result is a versatile plastic that can be applied in several sectors: cosmetics, hygiene products, medicines and disposable products.
The technology was licensed by the company Attomo that intends to produce the biofilm and market it. The company also told the Innovation Agency that it intends to invest in the use of cassava starch. The material has already been used by USP researchers to develop a transparent and resistant biodegradable plastic.
Despite being the fourth largest producer of plastic waste in the world, Brazil now recycles only 1.28% of the total produced. And even if there is a miracle in the recycling policy, there is no system that can handle the annual production of 11.3 million tons of plastic.
In addition to the urgent need to reduce consumption and companies to be held accountable as soon as possible for the amount of garbage they generate daily, it is necessary to find replacement solutions where this material is essential.
What is expected is that in the future plastics that do not degrade are not acceptable. Solutions like this from Unicamp give hope that, one day, months of awareness, such as this July Without Plastic, are no longer needed. But while this day does not arrive we invite you to join the Brazilian campaign League Zero Disposable and add in this fight.
- Marcia Souza