LIBRO-CONGRESO-CITRUS

S05
biodegradable makes them attractive for use in the stabilization of food packaging. Limonene is present in a
variety of citrus fruits and is one of most important contributors to citrus flavor. Also, it have been reported
that limonene shows good antioxidant activity. The aim of this work was to develop biodegradable active
films made from PLA and limonene blends as an antioxidant compound for food packaging applications.
Films were prepared and full characterization was carried out by using several techniques and methods. The
incorporation of limonene in PLA matrix was evaluated and quantified by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass
Spectrometry. Flexibility of the films was evaluated by tensile tests. The polymer stabilization was studied by
the kinetic parameters using thermogravimetric analysis.
S05P32
PLA and PLA-PHB incorporated with limonene for biodegraable food packaging
Arrieta M.P. 1 , López J. 1 , Ferrándiz S. 1 , and Peltzer M. 2
1 Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), Technological Institute of Materials, Spain; and 2 University of Alicante (UA), Analytical
Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Spain. marrieta@itm.upv.es
An increasing environmental concern towards a reduction on the environmental impact produced by plastics
is contributing to growth the biopolymer industry. Polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and their
copolymers are biodegradable materials widely investigated for food packaging applications. One of the
potential application fields of these materials is as a film. However, amorphous PLA and PHB films are rigid
and need to be plasticized. The composition of materials in contact with foodstuffs is tightly regulated so food
grade plasticizers are required. On the other hand, when consumers decide which product to purchase, the
packaging of a product could influence the decision, therefore transparency in food packaging is required. In
this sense, essential oil rich in monoterpens, such as limonene, are of great interest as stabilizers for polymers.
Limonene is one of the most important residues in the citrus industry, so, it would be positive to increase its
added value from a low-grade by-product to a useful plasticizer. In this work, PLA and PLA-PHB were blended
with limonene as plasticizers, in a mixer. The films were obtained by compression-moulding at 180°C in a hot
press. Optical properties using CIELab color space were determined. The influence of plasticization process on
mechanical properties was determinate by tensile testing according to ASTM-D882 Standard, where average
percentage elongation at break and elastic modulus were determined. Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) was
also measured to evaluate the barrier properties of these films to oxygen.
S05P33
Shoot tip grafting (STG) in commercial production of disease free, quality-bud grafts of citrus in
Central India: the present status
Vijayakumari N.
National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC), Tissue Culture, India. narukullav@gmail.com
Citrus growers are generally facing a serious problem of decline that is attributed to prevalence of citrus viruses
and virus like diseases. The average life span of citrus orchards in tropical countries is less than 10 years because
of these diseases. Hence, the need for healthy certified quality planting stock is recognized as basic to the
establishment of a viable citrus industry. Use of healthy superior clonal planting material for establishing the new
orchards will help in controlling the diseases and increasing the productivity. Shoot tip grafting (STG) has been
proved effective in elimination of diseases and in establishment of healthy citrus orchards worldwide (viz. Brazil,
USA, Spain, etc.) since decades. Keeping this in view, a comprehensive program based on STG to produce, multiply,
maintain and distribute the disease free planting stock to citrus growers/nurserymen was initiated nearly 10 years
ago in Central India. The program named as citrus variety improvement program has the following functions: 1)
Restricted movement of budwood. 2) Introduction of citrus exotic scion cultivars and cleaning through STG. 3)
Maintenance of healthy mother trees in protected foundation block under insect proof condition. 4) Continued
testing and growth quality evaluation. 5) Discarding infected trees. Through successful transfer of STG technology
from lab to land, so far 2.75 lakhs of certified quality bud grafts of Citrus reticulata cv. ‘Nagpur’ mandarin were
produced and distributed to citrus growers which facilitated establishment of around 800 hectares of healthy
citrus orchards in farmer’s fields of Central India, thus paving the way for a sound and sustainable citrus industry.
In this paper, the authoress will present the detailed role of STG in the citrus improvement program, and the
procedure and technical requirements for the production of healthy foundation stock.
92 - VALENCIA CONFERENCE CENTER, 18th-23rd NOVEMBER 2012