Jackfruit Starch Based Blends with Polyvinylpyrrolidone: Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Biodegradable Properties

Abstract

Starch is extracted from the seeds of ripen jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) cultivated in Nepal by treating with distilled water and alkali solution. The properties of extracted starch are evaluated by measuring ash content, moisture content, and amylose content. A series of starch‐based biodegradable blends with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are prepared through solution casting method and their biodegradable properties are studied. The blend is characterized by thickness measurement, water solubility test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy, and biodegradability test. The thickness measurement shows the linear increase in thickness of the blend with the addition of starch. The water solubility test reveals the higher solubility of PVP in water than that of the starch. FTIR spectra of PVP/thermoplastic starch (PVP/TPS) blends exhibit the existence of relevant functional groups of both starch and PVP, the peaks shifting, and the change in nature of the peaks after degradation. Optical microscopy reveals the nonuniform dispersion of starch particles in the PVP matrix and the appearance of holes and fractures in composite subjected to compost soil for degradation. The biodegradability study proves that the loading of starch to PVP accelerates the degradation process.

Peanut Shells Cellulose Based Biodegradable Nanocomposites with Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)

“…The percentage yield of isolated cellulose was determined by using Equation () according to literature. [ 12 $$$$\begin{eqnarray}&&{\rm{Cellulose\;yield\;\;}}\left( {\rm{\% }} \right) =\nonumber\\ &&\frac{{{\rm{Initial\;weight\;peanut\;shell\;powder}} - {\rm{Final\;weight\;of\;cellulose}}}}{{{\rm{Initial\;weight\;of\;peanut\;shell}}}}\nonumber\\ &&\qquad \times 100\end{eqnarray}$$$$…”

“…The percentage yield of isolated cellulose was determined by using Equation (1) according to literature. [12 Cellulose yield (%) = Initial weight peanut shell powder − Final weight of cellulose Initial weight of peanut shell…”

“…It has unique set of properties, including good solubility in water and a variety of organic solvents, a remarkable ability to interact with a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds, good biocompatibility, biodegradablity, nontoxicity to living tissues, excellent transparency, good ecological stability, etc. [11][12][13][14] PVP is used in preparing several polymer nanocomposites because of its availability, low cost, [15] and the presence of a carbonyl group (>C=O) in its side chains. [16] Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is semicrystalline, non-toxic, water-soluble, having excellent optical and physical properties.…”