Abstract

Biodegradable polymers from renewable resources are sought after for many purposes, from packaging materials in food to biomedical applications.  Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is a well-known biopolymer derived from corn starch or sugar cane used in different food packaging and artificial bones and scaffolds.

Poly(lactic acid) Science and Technology first introduces the basic concepts of PLA and then covers PLA synthesis and polymerization, processing, characterization and physical properties of PLA, PLA-based nano-biocomposites, the main applications in active packaging and as biomaterials for tissue engineering, degradation and biodegradation of PLA and finally industrial and legislative issues. This interdisciplinary approach provides readers with a general overview of all relevant aspects related to PLA including fundamental issues, innovative applications, new types of processing and emerging applications, modification of PLA, life cycle assessment, bio-additives, bio/degradation and sustainability and international regulations.

Experts provide a complete resource and whole perspective on PLA covering scientific, ecological, social and economic issues. The book will appeal to chemists, food technologists and materials engineers as well as researchers interested in bio-based and biodegradable polymers and composites.

Alfonso Jiménez is a Full Professor in Analytical Chemistry and Food Processing and head of the Polymer and Nanomaterials Analysis Group at the University of Alicante, Spain. He has edited or co-edited 13 books in polymer degradation, stabilization and biodegradable and sustainable composites and authored over 80 research papers published in journals in the area of analytical chemistry and polymer science. His main research areas are the chemical characterization of polymers and biopolymers, environmentally-friendly additives in polymers, characterization of biodegradable polymers and sustainable composites, modification of PLA for flexible films manufacturing and natural antioxidants for active packaging.

Mercedes A. Peltzer is a Post-Doc Fellow at the University of Alicante, Spain (since 2009). Her main research areas include processing, characterization and application of polymers for food contact materials,processing polymeric materials based in polyolefins and biodegradable matrices, polymer and biopolymer characterization and the development of active packaging systems.

Roxana A. Ruseckaite is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina and Senior Researcher on Polymer Science at the Polymer Division, Research Institute on Materials Science and Technology, Mar del Plata (Argentina). She has published over 40 articles and 14 book chapters on polymers, biopolymers, biocomposites, biodegradation and films for packaging. Her main research areas are: design and evaluation of active films from proteins, design and characterization of nano-biocomposites, studies on polymer and composites biodegradation and the development and evaluation of environmentally sound adhesives from renewable resources.