Sustainable alginate/aloe vera composite biodegradable films reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Abstract

Biopolymers like polysaccharides are being used to develop biodegradable and edible food packaging films. These films are environment friendly but have inferior mechanical strength as compared to conventional plastics. This study seeks to enhance the mechanical properties of alginate aloe vera composite films by the fusion of organic fibers like carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). CMC and HPMC were added at varying concentrations (2%–14%).Addition of both these cellulose derivatives had a positive effect on the tensile strength and elongation at break of the composite films. The tensile strength increased to a maximum value of 35.08 and 51.96 N/mm2 in CMC and HPMC films, respectively at 4% concentration of both. Increasing the fiber concentration further resulted in a decrease of tensile strength. Similar trend was observed in the flexibility of the films as the elongation at break value was maximum 5.57% and 3.21%, respectively at 4% concentration. The addition of CMC reduced the water solubility of the film. The solubility decreased to 19% at the maximum concentration of CMC. The effect of HPMC on water solubility was opposite to that of CMC. The solubility of the film increased to 86.42% at highest concentration of HPMC. CMC slowed down the biodegradation rate of the films whereas HPMC increased it.

Influence of surface treatment on properties of Cocos nucifera L. Var typica fiber reinforced polymer composites

“…The weaker reinforced fibers will definitely hinder the performance of the composite 8 . Recently, commercially available natural fibers such as jute, coir, sisal, hemp, and so forth, reinforced polymer composites are used in packaging, textile, household appliances, aerospace, insulation materials, and automobile industries 9,10 …”

“…8 Recently, commercially available natural fibers such as jute, coir, sisal, hemp, and so forth, reinforced polymer composites are used in packaging, textile, household appliances, aerospace, insulation materials, and automobile industries. 9,10 Currently, researchers have exploited new potential sources of natural fibers such as Ficus religiosa, Grewia damine, Derris scandens, Luffa vine, Cissus vitiginea, Calotropis gigantean, Symphirema involucratum, Kigelia Africana, Juncus effuses, and so forth, for reinforcement in polymer composites. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In spite of all these resources, the common limitations that persist in all the natural fibers are their biocompatibility and hydrophilicity which weakens the bonding between the fiber and the matrix.…”

The role of extracted Patchouli residue microparticle on the mechanical and microbial properties macroalgae biopolymer

“…7 Biopolymer films, while environmentally friendly, possess lower mechanical strength when compared to conventional plastics. 8 Therefore, numerous studies have been conducted aiming to enhance biopolymer films with various additives such as clay, cellulose, zinc oxide, silver nanoparticles, montmorillonite, titanium oxide, kaolinite, boehmite and an array of other materials known for their biodegradability and non-toxic properties. [9][10][11][12][13][14] This versatility provides various characteristics, such as smart/ intelligent or active features, to biopolymer-based materials, offering sustainable alternatives to regular plastics.…”

3D printable, injectable amyloid-based composite hydrogel of bovine serum albumin and aloe vera for rapid diabetic wound healing

“…23 Despite having diverse and countless medicinal benefits, the poor mechanical strength of AV gel constrains its utilization in biomedical applications. 24 Different strategies have been reported to increase the mechanical strength of AV hydrogels, through reinforcement with a stiffer material that has a tuneable mechanical strength, such as alginate, 25 chitosan, 26 cellulose, 24,27 gelatine, 26 or collagen. 28 By contrast, globular proteins have a propensity to selfassemble into amyloid fibrils, which have been implicated in a number of neurodegenerative diseases in vivo.…”