Improper management of disposable plastics and resource depletion pose significant environmental challenges, prompting interest in alternatives like bioplastics. These novel materials can be produced from by-products of the agro-food industry, offering solutions and valorizing waste. Rice bran, a substantial by-product of rice processing, is abundant and cost-effective, rich in proteins and starch. These components can be transformed into industrial-grade bioplastics through proper processing. This study evaluates the impact of rice bran varieties and thermal treatment during processing on bioplastic development for injection molding. After defatting and sieving, rice bran was mixed with glycerol and subjected to injection molding at 150 °C. Results indicate that parboiled systems, especially from japonica rice bran, showed high viscoelastic moduli and tensile strength. These systems exhibited a denser structure, resulting in lower water absorption. This research sheds light on the connection between rice bran variety, heat treatment, and the final properties of derived bioplastics. This research contributes significantly to understand the relationship between the variety of rice bran and the impact of heat treatment on the ultimate properties of the derived bioplastics.
Keywords: Bioplastics; Rice bran; Valorization.
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