Development of sulfated polysaccharide-based film reinforced with seaweed biomass-derived nanofillers

Cling films and single-use plastics are difficult to recycle and cause major environmental pollution, leading to an increase in microplastics in nature. To overcome this issue, biodegradable films are being explored more extensively. Seaweed is gaining prominence in the food packaging sector since it is beneficial in all aspects. Two fractions of Indian brown seaweed Sargassum wightii, biopolymer (sulfated polysaccharide [SP]) as base material and nanofillers (cellulose nanocrystals [CNC]) as reinforced filler are employed to develop a sustainable cling film for food packaging. This cellulose filler can be isolated from solid seaweed biomass after the polysaccharide extraction and converted into nanoform using the response surfaces method (RSM) to maximize the yield of CNC. The objective of this research is to construct seaweed-based biodegradable nanocomposite films and to examine their improved properties. It exhibited a gradual decrease in water absorption and water vapor permeability (WVP), along with better wettability, mechanical, and antioxidant properties, and thermal analysis compared with the control SP film. The degradation rates of the films were analyzed using the soil-burial method. According to the results obtained, it is suggested that CNC can be utilized as a functional filler to improve the qualities of seaweed-based cling films.

Automated summary

This study focuses on developing biodegradable nanocomposite films using seaweed as the base material and cellulose nanocrystals as reinforced filler. The results show that the nanocomposite films have improved properties such as decreased water absorption and water vapor permeability, better wettability, mechanical strength, antioxidant properties, and thermal analysis compared to traditional cling films. It suggests that cellulose nanocrystals can be effectively used as a functional filler to enhance the qualities of seaweed-based cling films.