Biodegradability of Starch Based Self-Supporting Antimicrobial Film and Its Effect on Soil Quality

Alarming environmental pollution from petroleum based non-biodegradable disposable packaging films has generated concern for development of alternatives from natural polymers such as starch. In the present work, the biodegradability of a self-supporting film made from starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (starch:PVA=9:1 as the polymer) together with glutaraldehyde as crosslinker and sodium propionate (SP)as antimicrobial was investigated by soil burial method. The changes in soil composition namely pH, organic carbon, available and total nitrogen, and water holding capacity as a result of biodegradation were also estimated. The film underwent approximate to 90% biodegradation within a period of 28days, with simultaneous increase in soil nutrients. Moreover, the pH remained in the accepted limit for plant growth. Thus, antimicrobial in the film did not hamper its biodegradation, rather disposal of the film in soil might facilitate plant growth.