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| Samples of PVC with approximately 30% tributylaconitate plasticizer. |
Principal Investigator:
Michael Saska, Professor, Audubon Sugar Institute
Co-PI:
Ioan Negulescu, Professor, Department of Human Ecology, LSU
Abstract:
From 10% to 50% of the weight of commercial PVC products is made up by the plasticizers that were added to neat PVC to render it soft and flexible. Phthalate esters and in particular DEHP (di-ethylhexyl phthalate) are commonly used, but their alleged toxicity has become an issue in products used in toys, medical and surgical products, etc. In 1999 the European Union (EU) banned phthalates from toys intended for children under 3 years of age. DEHP migrates at a constant rate from plastics to the environment. It has been detected in water, soil and food and is therefore considered as a widespread environmental contaminant. Aconitic (1,2,3-propenetricarboxylic ) acid (AA) is the fourth major component in sugarcane juice, after sucrose, glucose and fructose, and its extraction from cane molasses and use, after esterification, as an additive in plastics has been considered but found uneconomical. During our preliminary work we found concentrations of AA are still much higher in the waste biomass, the parts of sugarcane plant not used for production of sugar (leaves and tops), and its extraction, purification, esterification and incorporation into PVC are the topics of the proposed program. The economic impact of a process for converting residual waste biomass into marketable products would be substantial and would present a much-needed diversification option to the economically hard-pressed sugar industry, as well as addressing environmental concerns.