Innovative Bioplasticizers from Residual Cynara cardunculus L. Biomass-Derived Levulinic Acid and Their Environmental Impact Assessment by LCA Methodology

This work compares five bioplasticizersobtained from biomass-derivedlevulinic acid in terms of their environmental impacts together withPHB-induced thermal and mechanical properties. This work is focusedon the application of Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) methodology for the quantification of the potential environmentalimpacts associated with the obtainment of levulinic acid from residual Cynara cardunculus L. biomassand its subsequent valorization in innovative bioplasticizers fortuning the properties as well as the processability of biopolymers.This potentially allows the production of fully biobased and biodegradablebioplastic formulations, thus addressing the issues related to thefossil origin and nonbiodegradability of conventional additives, suchas phthalates. Steam explosion pretreatment was applied to the epigeanresidue of C. cardunculus L. followedby a microwave-assisted acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. After purification,the as-obtained levulinic acid was used to synthesize different ketal-diesterderivatives through a three-step selective synthesis. The levulinicacid-base additives demonstrated remarkable plasticizing efficiencywhen added to biobased plastics. The LCA results were used in conjunctionwith those from the experimental activities to find the optimal compromisebetween environmental impacts and mechanical and thermal properties,induced by the bioadditives in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB biopolymer.