Biopigments for UV-stabilized films for the packaging industry

发展可持续的生物基包装系统是目前包装行业的一个关键挑战。目前，包装行业使用合成紫外线稳定剂来保护塑料免受紫外线暴露造成的损坏和降解。由Clara Santato教授领导的研究小组与加拿大软包装制造商ProAmpac合作，提出在塑料和食品包装中使用生物相容性和可生物降解的紫外线稳定剂中的黑色素生物色素。Santato在黑色素的光学、热学和电学性能方面具有长期的加工和表征经验。ProAmpac有兴趣利用丰富的黑色素来取代目前包装薄膜中的紫外线稳定剂。黑色素是一种在动植物中普遍存在的色素。在人类中，各种形式的黑色素负责各种功能：皮肤和眼睛的光保护，头发和眼睛的颜色。乌贼用来伪装或防御的墨汁含有乌贼黑色素。我们建议用黑色素生物色素取代目前在包装工业中使用的合成紫外线稳定剂。我们的方法包括对黑色素从单体到聚合物的光谱特性演变的前所未有的调查。基于这种方法，我们的学员将获得材料和聚合物加工，材料光学表征和扫描探针显微镜的宝贵知识，这是就业市场不同部门（包装，光学仪器，太阳能转换技术，化妆品和皮肤病学）所需要的。

Developing sustainable bio-based packaging systems is presently a key challenge in the packaging industry.Presently, the packaging industry uses synthetic UV stabilizers to protect plastics against damage anddegradation caused by UV exposure.In collaboration with ProAmpac, a Canadian manufacturer of flexible packaging, the research group led byProfessor Clara Santato proposes to use melanin biopigments in biocompatible and biodegradable Ultraviolet(UV) stabilizers in plastics and food packaging. Santato has a long experience in the processing andcharacterization of melanin, in terms of optical, thermal and electrical properties. ProAmpac is interested inusing the abundant pigment melanin to replace current UV stabilizers in packaging films.Melanin is a pigment ubiquitous in flora and fauna. In humans, various forms of melanin are responsible for avariety of functions: photoprotection of skin and eyes, hair and eye color. The ink of Sepia officinalis, used bysquids for camouflage or defense, contains Sepia melanin.We propose to replace synthetic UV stabilizers, currently employed in the packaging industry, with melaninbiopigments.Our approach includes an unprecedented survey of the evolution of the spectroscopic properties of melaninfrom the monomer to the polymer. Based on this approach our trainees will acquire valuable knowledge inmaterials and polymers processing, optical characterization of materials and scanning probe microscopy, muchneeded for different sectors of the job market (packaging, optical instrumentation, solar energy conversiontechnologies, cosmetics and dermatology).