BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING MADE FROM COTTONSEED FLOUR - FORMATION AND IMPROVEMENT BY CHEMICAL TREATMENTS WITH GOSSYPOL, FORMALDEHYDE, AND GLUTARALDEHYDE

A process for the preparation of lipoprotein and protein films from glandless and glanded cottonseed flour (delipidated or not) is described. Chemical modifications of cottonseed proteins by gossypol, formaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde were used to increase puncture strength and decrease solubility of the films within the scope of biodegradable packaging applications. Promising results were obtained with glandless flour. Formaldehyde was effective in film formulations using glandless delipidated cottonseed flour at a molar ratio of 6 with regard to the potential reactive amino acids. Glutaraldehyde was a better cross-linking agent for glandless flour film when used at molar ratio (glutaraldehyde/lysine) also equal to 6. Gossypol, a naturally occurring dialdehyde in cotton, is also a useful agent for decreasing solubility and increasing puncture strength of films. Utilization of cottonseed varieties with a high gossypol content could be suitable.