Plasticizers for Processing Biopolymers: A Mini Review

Abstract

This study was performed in order to understand the types of plasticizers used for the fabrication of bioplastics. Journal articles from peer-reviewed journals were studied in order to understand the level of work that has so far been completed. It was found that great deal of hydrophobic and hydrophilic plasticizers are used currently for the preparation of bioplastics from polylactic acid, soy protein isolate and starch. There is large amount of published work on this topic and important details and findings are included in this mini review.

Keywords: Plasticizers, Polylactic acid, Soy protein isolate, Starch