BioTerc PAA: Biodegradable Ternary Co-polymers of Poly(amic) Acid as
Packaging Materials
Description:
The problems of plastics in the environment have been known for a long time. Apart from the
fact that so much of them persist everywhere, the main problem is that they are not
biodegradable. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in biodegradable polymers for medical,
environmental and industrial applications.
A new formulation has been discovered for the preparation of biodegradable plastics based on
poly(amic) acid. We hereby report the design, preparation, and food packaging application of a
new class of biodegradable, ternary PAA copolymers; herein referred to as BioTerc PAA. The
polymers were designed using a combination of PAA, homolytic linkers, amd small molecular
weight biomolecules that are derived from nature. BioTerc PAA exhibits the following
properties: 1) advanced mechanical properties in the range 2.2 - 2.7 GPa modulus elasticity that
are comparable to strong plastics (2.4 to 3.2 GPa), stability in common solvents, high optical
transparency, impermeability to gas exchange, oil and water vapor transfer, 2) predictable lifetime in nature, nontoxicity and advanced antimicrobial properties, and 3) applicability to smart
food packaging demonstrated for cheese, pepperoni, apple and walnut for 4 weeks to 6 months.
The synthesized PAA co-polymers provide superior properties which can meet the requirements
of society’s expectations for a safer environment and sustainable future.
Potential Applications:
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The BioTerc PAA is applicable to smart food packaging and to other medical,
environmental, and industrial applications.
Advantages:
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The most outstanding property of BioTerc PAA as packaging materials is that they
simultaneously possess anti-microbial activity (active packaging), conductivity and
color changes in response to changes of contained food material (intelligent packing).
Strong mechanical properties (up to 2.7 GPa modulus elasticity).
High optical transparency (up to 90%).
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High biodegradability (less than 2 months).
Strong resistance against a variety of solvents (buffers, organic solvents, acids and
bases).
Shows changes in color upon exposure to vapors released by degrading food samples
and are non-toxic.
Development Status:
The developed PAA copolymers were successfully applied to package cheese, pepperoni, walnut
and apple for 4 weeks to 6 months. In tested times, the food samples did not show any bacterial
development, fungi development and food-decomposition. .
Intellectual Property Position:
Patent strategy is under evaluation..
Keywords:
Biodegradable, PAA, Smart Packaging, Impermeable, Mechanical Strength
Inventors:
Dr. Wunmi Sadik’s laboratory has pioneered metal-enhanced electrochemical detection,
combining advanced nanomaterials with electrochemistry for the development of smart sensors
for proteins, nucleic acids, toxins and cancer cells. She holds two patents for her work on a
sensor that allows doctors to take readings for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in minutes rather
than the three to four days required by other tests.
Additional Reference Information:
More information regarding Dr. Sadik, her lab, and selected publications is available at:
http://www.binghamton.edu/chemistry/people/sadik/sadik.html