Development of Innovative Biodegradable Film from Low Cost Wild Plants – An Effective Alternative to Plastic

Abstract

Plastic has increased the rate of environmental pollution, as it takes decades to decay into environment. This has diverted the mind of researcher for developing sustainable and cost-effective alternatives of plastics. To avoid use of plastic, a biodegradable film has been developed in the current study with natural ingredients i.e. Terminalia catappa and Oryza Sativa extract. Different blends were analyzed for functional properties, and blend containing 25mL/25mL of both of the extracts was selected for final testing. Each film was observed to have different chemical, mechanical physical and biological properties. Sample 1 is found to possess the highest value of tensile strength (5.21MPa) and the value of elongation at break of sample 3 (7.13%) was the highest among all three newly developed biodegradable films, whereas the sample 2 showed the least value for both of the tests carried out. Biodegradable films have shown lower transparency than control. It may be due to the thickness and fillers used in the making of biodegradable films. The results of biodegradation by burial in soil clearly indicate quick biodegradation ability of newly developed films as compared to the control; each film was degraded completely in sterile soil in 7 to 9 days. The control sample (polyethylene film) did not show any structural degradation and change in shape. Reaction of the three newly developed biodegradable films with acid, base, salt and alcohol was also studied. Strong acid caused definite effects on all three films, whereas reaction with alkali made shape change in the newly developed biodegradable films. Based on the results sample 3 prepared with 25mL/25mL Terminalia catappa and Oryza Sativa extract with 2gm guar gum was found to possess the best chemical, mechanical physical and biological properties; as well a sustainable and cost-effective hand alternative of plastics.