Evaluation of bioplastic films made from seaweeds and its polymers

Abstract

Seaweeds grow and produce a significant amount of biomass per unit area, providing specialized phytochemicals for the manufacturing of bioplastics, which may otherwise less affordable. In this study, the brown seaweed Sargassum denticulatum and the red Corallina officinalis were used to prepare bioplastic films from both whole algal powder and their extracted polymers using two methods: conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Ultrasound proved to be more effective for extracting polymers, as evidenced by the yield of alginate, which was higher than that of carrageenan in both methods. The functional compositions of the films were evaluated using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Additionally, key properties such as solubility, moisture absorption resistance, elongation at break, tensile strength, and degradability were assessed. The resulting bioplastic films exhibited varying physical and mechanical properties, making each suitable for distinct applications based on its characteristics. Notably, the whole-algae films demonstrated higher solubility, superior mechanical properties, and faster degradation compared to the polymer-based films. Therefore, bioplastic films made from seaweeds and their extracted polysaccharides hold great potential as viable alternatives to synthetic plastics, contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution caused by petroleum-derived materials.

Abstract as supplied by the indexing source. © the authors / publisher.