Preparation and Study of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Materials Derived from Natural Resources for Environmentally Safe Packaging Applications: A Study in Manipur State
Keywords:
Biodegradable polymers, natural fibers, starch, Manipur State, cellulose, biodegradation, thermal analysis, mechanical properties, sustainable packaging, protein-based films, chitosanAbstract
Environmental pollution caused by synthetic plastics has emerged as a critical global issue, particularly due to their persistence in landfills and aquatic systems. Biodegradable polymers derived from renewable natural resources present an eco-friendly alternative for sustainable packaging. This study focuses on the development and characterization of biodegradable polymer films and composites utilizing indigenous materials from Manipur State, India, including starch, cellulose, chitosan, and protein-based polymers. The polymers were processed using solution casting and compression molding techniques, and the resulting films were reinforced with locally sourced natural fibers to enhance mechanical and barrier properties. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to evaluate structural, thermal, mechanical, barrier, and biodegradation characteristics. Results indicate that fiber-reinforced composites show superior tensile strength, improved thermal stability, lower water vapor permeability, and accelerated biodegradation compared to pure polymer films. The study highlights the potential of Manipur’s biomass resources in promoting regional sustainability, supporting rural livelihoods, and offering viable substitutes to petroleum-based plastics in the packaging industry. These findings contribute to the scientific understanding, industrial applications, and policy development for environmentally responsible materials.
References
Averous, L. & Boquillon, N., 2004. Biodegradable polymer materials: Strategies for packaging applications. Journal of Macromolecular Science Part C, 44(3), pp.231–271.
Rhim, J.W., 2004. Physical and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)/starch blends for biodegradable packaging films. Journal of Materials Science, 39(5), pp.1745–1753.
Nampoothiri, K.M., Nair, N.R. & John, R.P., 2010. An overview of the recent developments in polylactic acid biodegradable polymers. Bioresource Technology, 101(22), pp.8493–8501.
Geyer, R., Jambeck, J.R. & Law, K.L., 2017. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782.
Singh, S. et al., 2008. Starch-based biodegradable films: mechanical and barrier properties. Carbohydrate Polymers, 74(1), pp.60–70.
Kumar, S., Singh, R. & Sharma, S., 2010. Chitosan-based biodegradable films for packaging applications. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 47(3), pp.179–185.
Mohanty, A.K., Misra, M. & Drzal, L.T., 2002. Sustainable bio-composites from renewable resources: Opportunities and challenges in the green materials world. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 10(1–2), pp.19–26.
Dufresne, A., 2008. Polysaccharide nanocrystals: From biology to materials. Progress in Polymer Science, 33(4), pp.1–26.
Gennadios, A., 2002. Protein-based films and coatings. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
Kaushik, A. & Singh, S., 2018. Biodegradable polymer composites for packaging applications. Materials Today: Proceedings, 5(1), pp.1658–1667.
Averous, L., 2008. Biodegradable polymer materials: Preparation, properties, and applications. Materials Science and Engineering, 63(3), pp.141–152.
Tharanathan, R.N., 2003. Biodegradable films and composite coatings: Past, present, and future. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 14(3), pp.71–78.
Emadian, S.M., Onay, T.T. & Demirel, B., 2017. Biodegradation of bioplastics in natural environments. Waste Management, 59, pp.526–536.
Reddy, N. & Yang, Y., 2005. Biofibers from agricultural residues for biocomposites. Trends in Biotechnology, 23(1), pp.22–27.
Huda, M.S. et al., 2006. Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites: A review. Polymer Reviews, 46(3), pp.233–278.
Farah, S. et al., 2016. Poly(lactic acid) synthesis, structures, properties, processing, and applications. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 107, pp.367–392.
Siracusa, V., Rocculi, P., Romani, S. & Dalla Rosa, M., 2008. Biodegradable polymers for food packaging: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 19(12), pp.634–643.
Rasal, R.M., Janorkar, A.V. & Hirt, D.E., 2010. Poly (lactic acid) modifications. Progress in Polymer Science, 35(3), pp.338–356.
Sanyang, M.L., Sapuan, S.M., Jawaid, M. & Ishak, M.R., 2016. Mechanical and barrier properties of biodegradable packaging materials. Materials & Design, 92, pp.95–102.
Niaounakis, M., 2015. Biopolymers: Applications and trends. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Downloads
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
