Communications Chemistry (Apr 2021)

Acylation of agricultural protein biomass yields biodegradable superabsorbent plastics

  • Antonio J. Capezza,
  • Faraz Muneer,
  • Thomas Prade,
  • William R. Newson,
  • Oisik Das,
  • Malin Lundman,
  • Richard T. Olsson,
  • Mikael S. Hedenqvist,
  • Eva Johansson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-021-00491-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Superabsorbent materials can absorb many times their weight in water, but are commonly derived from petroleum. Here, acylation of coagulated potato protein concentrate or soluble potato protein fruit juice yields an effective, mould-resistant, and biodegradable superabsorbent polymer.