Biodegradable Edible Microbial Cellulose-based Film for Sustainable Packaging from Lab to Land: Physicomechanical Study

Sri Manjusha Varshini Sundararajan; Mekala Mani

doi:10.52756/ijerr.2024.v39spl.011

Authors

Sri Manjusha Varshini Sundararajan Department of Microbiology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science for Women, Coimbatore- 641044, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5868-9854
Mekala Mani Director and Research supervisor, Micro Biotek, Coimbatore- 641028, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2024.v39spl.011

Keywords:

Biopolymer composite, biodegradable polymers, microbial cellulose, physico mechanical properties, smart packaging

Abstract

Microbial cellulose has been gaining notable glare and publicity in various sectors, including the biodegradable packaging industry. The study emphasizes the development of microbial cellulose-based composite biodegradable, edible biopolymer to engender food and food product packaging. A characterization study of the mechanical property, barrier property, texture profile analysis, and biodegradability test was conducted for the combination, which appears strong enough to be employed as an application after solutions of film-forming polymers with 10 permutations were completed. Significant mechanical and thermal characteristics can potentially be seen in the composite film with the tensile strength of 56.6±3.13 mpa and TGA of maximum degradation of 92% occurred between temperatures 320°C- 360°C. The mechanical properties of biopolymers are improved by microbial cellulose, which acts as a nucleating agent throughout the gelatin (protein) and polyvinyl alcohol (plasticizer) matrix. The biodegradability test of the biopolymer with results of the highest biodegradability (70%) within five months was observed. These properties may be investigated in the context of the food packaging sector.

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