An experiment was carried out using 120 unsexed chicks of a
commercial broiler breed taken from a hatchery nearby the farm of
the experiment. When the chicks started to hatch the chicks were
collected without the need to complete the operation of
hatching to
ensure that the hatching chicks were hatched at the same time.
The chicks were distributed into four groups of each group divid into 6
sub groups each sub group contains 5 chicks. The chicks were fed
different diets.
The aim of this work is the preparation of a biodegradable polymeric blend
(LDPE/AD+S) to be used for eco-friendly packaging purposes. The polymer matrix
consists mainly of low density polyethylene( LDPE), starch (S), and low quantities of
additiv
es (AD) as compatibilizers. The additives are: maleic acid, acetic acid, benzoyl
peroxide, and zinc stearate. The polymer blend LDPE/AD+S was prepared by extrusion, in
three compositions according to the percentage of starch (15,20,40%). Then, films were
prepared from the blend by thermal hydraulic compression to study their microstructure by
optical microscopic at magnification of 055 The results showed that the starch granules
were homogeneously distributed within the polymer matrix, and the compatibility
additives played an important role in enhancing the microstructure of the prepared blends.
The results also indicate that the starch promotes the onset of the bioegradation process.
