Lignocellulose based biofiller reinforced biopolymer composites from fruit peel wastes as natural pigment.

In this study, the utilization of mangosteen and durian peel wastes as bio-filler and natural pigment in biopolymer of polybutyrate adipate terephthalate (PBAT) were examined. The related research work of hybridization of both mangosteen and durian peels reinforced in biopolymer as cellulose-based bio fillers and natural pigment is rarely studied. The content variation of mangosteen powder and durian powder ranged from 0 to 30 wt% with an increment of 10. The influence of mangosteen and durian powders reinforced in PBAT on color change, morphological, chemical composition, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties were determined. Mangosteen peel and durian peel provided dark appearance for the green composites without pre-burn of these fruit peels. It can be concluded that mangosteen peel and durian peel can be used as bio pigment and natural reinforcement material in biopolymer matrix which can reduce massive waste of mangosteen and durian peel and add value to these wastes. These black biopolymer composites can be used in applications of eco-friendly food packaging and medicine zipper packaging. The overall mechanical properties, thermal stability, and dark color of mangosteen/PBAT composites were greater than those of durian/PBAT composites. However, durian/PBAT composites presented greater thermal and rheological properties than mangosteen/PBAT composites.

Waste chicken feather biofiller reinforced bioepoxy resin based biocomposites - A waste to wealth experimental approach.

Utilizing poultry wastes, particularly chicken feathers, in biopolymer composites is seen as an important aspect in lowering the environmental pollution and paving a new path to sustainability. The main objective of this experimental study is to develop polymer composites reinforced with waste chicken feather fillers and evaluate their physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics. The composites were fabricated through an open mold casting process using bio epoxy (SR-33 Greenpoxy) as the matrix and chicken feather filler as a reinforcement in three distinct weight fractions (2.5, 5, and 7.5 wt%). To evaluate the effects of filler content on the mechanical properties of the fabricated bio-epoxy composites, they were subjected to tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness tests. The findings from the experimental studies demonstrated that the composites containing 2.5 wt% of chicken feather filler had improved mechanical properties, thermal stability, and crystallization behaviour. The thermal attributes of samples included a greater melting point, lower recrystallization temperature, higher glass transition temperature, and quicker crystallization rates. The Scanning Electron Microscope analysis of the fracture surface morphology of the biocomposites showed a better interfacial adhesion between the filler and matrix. It could be concluded from the results that the waste chicken feather can be used as potential filler reinforcements for begetting natural composites for various low- and medium-density structural and non-structural applications.

Nelumbo nucifera flower extract incorporated alginate/polyvinyl alcohol films as a sustainable pH indicator for active food packaging applications.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for environmentally friendly smart packaging materials. Therefore, in this study, we developed an eco-friendly pH-sensitive indicator film through the solvent casting process, incorporating alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, garlic, and Nelumbo nucifera flower extract. The effect of extract on the chemical and physical properties of the film were extensively studied using various characterization techniques. XRD and FTIR reveal the strong interaction between the polymers and the extract. The incorporation of the extract influenced various parameters such as swelling behavior, water solubility, and moisture content, while also improving the film's thermal stability, biodegradability, as well as its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Interestingly, the film exhibited a color change in response to pH change. During shrimp storage, the film showed a visible transition from purple to green, indicating shrimp spoilage. Additionally, the film's ability to detect freshness was confirmed by measuring total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN). These findings suggest that the PVA/alginate/garlic/Nelumbo nucifera film shows promise as an intelligent packaging material for real-time food monitoring applications.

Isolation and characterization of microcrystalline cellulose from an agro-waste tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seeds and its suitability investigation for biofilm formulation.

The exploration of potential bio-fillers for bio-film application is a promising approach to ensure biodegradable, eco-friendly, good-quality materials with high-performance applications. This is a comprehensive study executed to establish the utility of an agro-waste Tamarindus indica seeds for microcrystalline cellulose production and to assess its feasibility for biofilm fabrication. The extraction was carried out through consecutive chemical-mediated alkalization, acid hydrolysis and bleaching. The isolated microcrystalline cellulose from Tamarindus indica seeds (TSMCC) was characterized through chemical, thermal and morphological characterization to validate the cellulose contribution, thermal resistance, and compatibility of the material. The physical parameters as density and yield percentage were assessed to evaluate its light-weight utility and economic productivity. These examinations revealed that TSMCC has good specific properties such as high cellulose content (90.57 %), average density (1.561 g/cm3), feasible average roughness (12.161 nm), desired particle size (60.40 ± 21.10 µm), good crystallinity (CI-77.6 %) and thermal stability (up to 230 °C); which are worthwhile to consider TSMCC for bio-film formulation. Subsequently, bio-films were formulated by reinforcing TSMCC in polylactic acid (PLA) matrix and the mechanical properties of the bio-films were then studied to establish the efficacy of TSMCC. It is revealed that the properties of pure PLA film increased after being incorporated with TSMCC, where 5 %TSMCC addition showed greater impact on crystalline index (26.16 % to 39.62 %), thermal stability (333oc to 389 °C), tensile strength (36.11 ± 2.90 MPa to 40.22 ± 3.22 MPa) and modulus (2.62 ± 0.55GPa to 4.15 ± 0.53GPa). In light of all promising features, 5 % TSMCC is recommended as a potential filler reinforcement for the groundwork of good quality bio-films for active packaging applications in future.

Isolation and characterization of novel bioplasticizers from rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) petals and its suitability investigation for poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) biofilm applications.

The current growing environmental awareness has forced the use of biodegradable plasticizers, which are sustainable and abundant in plant resources. Rose petal plasticizers (RPP) act as an actual substitute for chemical plasticizers in this situation as they are biocompatible and biodegradable. Chemical procedures like amination, alkalization, and surface catalysis are used to extract the natural emollients from rose petals. XRD, FT-IR, and UV studies were used to understand the characteristics of the rose petal plasticizer. Based on the XRD data, the RPP's crystallinity size (CS) and crystallinity index (CI) values were determined to be 9.36 nm and 23.87%, respectively. The surface morphology of the isolated plasticizer is investigated using SEM, EDAX analysis and AFM. RPP surface pores with rough surfaces are visible in SEM images, which make them appropriate for plasticizing novel bioplastics with superior mechanical qualities. The plasticizer's heat degradation behaviour is investigated using thermogravimetric and differential thermogram analysis curves. Following the characterization of the synthesised molecules, the plasticization effect was examined using a biodegradable polymer matrix called poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The reinforcement interface was also examined using scanning electron microscopy analysis. RPP-reinforced films demonstrated greater flexibility and superior surface compatibility at a 5% loading compared to PBAT-only films. Based on a number of reported features, RPP could be a great plasticizer to address future environmental problems.

Era of bast fibers-based polymer composites for replacement of man-made fibers.

Bast fibers are defined as those obtained from the outer cell layers of the bast of various plant families. They are finding use in textile applications and are widely used as reinforcements for green composites, as bast fibers are perceived as "sustainable". There is a growing demand for bast fibers across the world due to their renewable and biodegradable nature. The bast fibers are mainly composed of cellulose, which potentially considers the growing techniques, harvesting and extraction processes of bast fibers most used to produce fibers with appropriate quality to apply in the daily lives of modern men and women in contemporary society. This review paper looks at many aspects of natural fibers, with a focus on plant bast fibers, including their impact on prehistoric and historical society. This review shows that bast fibers are competitive compared to man-made fibers in many applications, but variability in mechanical properties and low tenacity may limit their use in high-strengthh composites and extend to, particularly in aerospace, automotive, packaging, building industries, insulation, E-composites (Eco composites), geotextiles and many other applications are currently being explored. Considering, important characteristics of bast fibers include physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. This makes bast fibers one of the most important classes of plant fibers to use as reinforcing agents in thermosetting/thermoplastic polymer matrices. And the effect of bast fibers as reinforcement in the properties of ECO-composites, GREEN-composites, BIO-composites, lightweight composites. Bast fibers play an important role in sustainability, the preservation of the health of the environment, the well-being of the next generation, and even the daily lives of men and women in the contemporary world.

Characterization of novel natural cellulose fiber from Ficus macrocarpa bark for lightweight structural composite application and its effect on chemical treatment.

This study investigates Ficus Macrocarpa tree bark fibers (FMB) as a sustainable alternative reinforcement for polymer composites. The Industrial Revolution marked the evolution of polymer composites with synthetic material reinforcement, leading to environmental concerns. Natural fibers have recently gained prominence as efficient alternatives for polymer composites. Despite numerous natural fibers being considered, ensuring a sustainable raw material source remains crucial. In this study, fibers were extracted from FMB and subjected to alkali treatment to evaluate their impact on physical, chemical, and thermal properties. Initially, the extracted fibers measured 253.80 ± 15 µm in diameter, reduced to 223.27 ± 12 µm post-alkali treatment. Chemical analysis showed an increase in cellulose content to 59.7 wt%, a 23.34 % improvement over untreated fibers (48.4 wt%). The crystalline index for untreated and treated fibers measured 80.20 % and 84.75 %, respectively, with no noticeable changes in the cellulose phase. Additionally, the crystalline size increased to 3.21 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced stability of treated fibers up to 378.87 °C, while the kinetic activation energy remained constant at 64.76 kJ/mol for both the treated and the untreated fibers. The alkali treatment further improved surface roughness to 39.26, confirmed by scanning electron microscopic images. These findings highlight the potential of cellulose fibers from Ficus Macrocarpa bark as a sustainable and environmentally friendly replacement for synthetic fibers in polymer composites. The enhanced physical properties and excellent thermal stability make them a promising choice for eco-conscious materials.

Pedalium murex plant-based bioplasticizer reinforced polylactic acid films: A promising approach for biodegradable fruit packaging applications.

The most likely materials for use in packaging are plastics. A lot of synthetic polymers are harming the environment. A plasticizer is required for all polymers to improve their characteristics and workability. The plasticizers come in liquid form and are also derived from fossil fuels, which are harmful to the environment. Producing functional and affordable biopolymer for packaging applications is a difficult task nowadays. The preparation of biofilm for packaging using biopolymer and bioplasticizer is the main aim of this work. The biopolymer poly L-lactic acid (PLA) is used, and the bio plasticizer is extracted from Pedalium murex plant. Chemical and mechanical methods are used to extract the plasticizer. Plasticization of polylactic acid biopolymer was done using the extracted plasticizer at additions of 1 %, 2 %, 3 %, 4 %, and 5 %. FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and surface roughness values are used to characterise the prepared biofilms. Scanning electron spectroscopy pictures are utilised to evaluate the morphological orientation of the biofilms. Strawberries packed with biofilms are used to evaluate the barrier properties of biofilms using UV spectroscopy analysis. Thermal degradation behaviour is investigated using thermo gravimetric analysis. We examined the mechanical characteristics, such as tensile strength, elongation modulus, and elongation break percentage. The plasticizing effect of the plasticizer raises the elongation break percentage while decreasing the tensile strength and modulus. For 2 % plasticizer addition the elongation break increases and the tensile not much affected. To demonstrate biodegradability and microbial resistance, the soil degradation behaviour and antimicrobial activities were examined.

Characterization of Calotropis gigantiea plant leaves biomass-based bioplasticizers for biofilm applications.

The present surge in environmental consciousness has pushed for the use of biodegradable plasticizers, which are sustainable and abundant in plant resources. As a result of their biocompatibility and biodegradability, Calotropis gigantiea leaf plasticizers (CLP) serve as viable alternatives to chemical plasticizers. First time, the natural plasticizers from the Calotropis leaves were extracted for this study using a suitable chemical approach that was also environmentally friendly. The XRD results showed a reduced crystallinity index of 20.2 % and a crystalline size of 5.3 nm, respectively. TGA study revealed that the CLP has good thermal stability (244 °C). Through FT-IR study, the existence of organic compounds in CLP can be investigated by key functional groups such as alcohol, amine, amide, hydrocarbon, alkene, aromatic, etc. Further the presence of alcoholic, amino, and carboxyl constituents was confirmed by UV investigation. SEM, EDAX analysis, and AFM are used to examine the surface morphology of the isolated plasticizer. SEM pictures reveal rough surfaces on the CLP surface pores, which makes them suitable for plasticizing new bioplastics with improved mechanical properties. Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), a biodegradable polymer matrix, was used to investigate the plasticization impact after the macromolecules were characterised. The biofilm PBAT/CLP had a thickness of 0.8 mm. In addition, the reinforcement interface was examined using scanning electron microscopy. When CLP is loaded differently in PBAT, the tensile strength and young modulus change from 15.30 to 24.60 MPa and from 137 to 168 MPa, respectively. CLP-reinforced films demonstrated better surface compatibility and enhanced flexibility at a loading of 2 % when compared to pure PBAT films. Considering several documented characteristics, CLP may prove to be an excellent plasticizer for resolving environmental issues in the future.

Extraction of microcrystalline cellulose from Ficus benghalensis leaf and its characterization.

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a crucial component in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, culinary, and cosmetics. The growing demand for MCC has spurred research into extraction methods. This study focused on extracting MCC from Ficus benghalensis using acid hydrolysis to convert the alpha-cellulose content of its leaves into MCC. The solvent used in this process was recyclable for further use. The extracted MCC was characterized by its physicochemical properties, including density, yield percentage, and structural characteristics. The yield was approximately 39.68 %, and the density was low at 1.518 g/cm3, making it suitable for filler applications. Fourier transform spectroscopy and UV-visible analysis identified functional groups of cellulose. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a crystallite size of 1.560 nm and a crystallinity index of 66.43 %, indicating suitability for related applications. ImageJ determined a mean particle size of 36.545 µm, while scanning electron microscopy showed distinct surface orientations. Atomic force microscopy revealed surface roughness, root mean square, ten-point average roughness, skewness, and kurtosis. Elemental analysis indicated high concentrations of carbon (20.1 %) and oxygen (34 %). Based on these physicochemical features, the extracted MCC could be a valuable source for applications such as filler in reinforcement technology and coating material in pharmaceutical products.

Extraction of nano-crystalline cellulose for development of aerogel: Structural, morphological and antibacterial analysis.

In the present decades, nanocellulose has been very popular in the field of nanotechnology and is receiving much attention from researchers because of its advantageous physicochemical properties, high aspect ratio, and high specific strength and modulus. The available non-eco-friendly conventional methods for the extraction of nano-crystalline cellulose (NCC) use highly concentrated chemicals and are time-consuming as well. The present adopted cost-effective method for the extraction of nano-crystalline cellulose involves minimum usage of chemicals and is environmentally friendly and relatively fast compared to other conventional methods. The nano-crystalline cellulose from sisal (NCC-S) fibers were extracted by steam explosion-assisted mild concentrated chemical treatments followed by mechanical grinding. The Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization confirmed the size of extracted NCC-S. A high aspect ratio was observed as 19.23, which signifies it could be a promising reinforcing material in developing nanocomposites for advanced applications. An increase in crystallinity and the removal of amorphous materials for NCC-S were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, respectively. Antibacterial study shows that NCC-S did not show any antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus. The calculated yield of extracted nanocellulose was about 50 %. The aerogel with a porosity of 95.1 % and a density of 0.075 g/cm3 was prepared by vacuum freeze-drying method using extracted nanocellulose and chitosan. The cross-linking network structure and thermal stability of the aerogel were also confirmed by FTIR and TGA analysis respectively.

Effect of chemical treatment on physio-mechanical properties of lignocellulose natural fiber extracted from the bark of careya arborea tree.

For the first time, the current work has carried out a chemical treatment of a novel ligno-cellulose fiber that is extracted from the bark of an unexplored plant of Careya arborea. Careya arborea (CA), a flowering tree known for its green berries, thrives in the Indian subcontinent and Afghanistan. This research was focused on extracting fibers from the bark of the Cary tree for the first time to corroborate the influence of chemical treatment on its different characteristics. These CA fibers have a high proportion of cellulose, consisting of 71.17 wt percent, together with 27.86 wt percent of hemicellulose, and a reduced density of 1140 kg/m3, making them a suitable candidate for creating lightweight applications in a variety of industries. Chemical treatment has done on the cay fiber with the concentrations of NaOH 5 (wt%), 10 (wt%), and 15 (wt%) solution mixture to improve their characteristics. Estimated the difference between Chemically processed and non-processed Cary fibers and corroborated in results. We performed a number of experiments, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDAX, AFM, and TGA, to fully comprehend the changing properties. Chemical testing showed that cellulose changed from its non-crystalline state to cellulose, proving that the treatment was successful in changing the fibre structure. Additionally, the thermo-gravimetric examination showed higher thermal stability 248 °C-325 °C and a rise in the crystallinity index, indicating the treated fibers' improved potential for high-temperature applications. The treated Cary fibers exhibited excellent surface properties, promising improved adhesion, mechanical performance, offering lightweight and sustainable solutions for diverse applications.

Facile exfoliation and physicochemical characterization of Thespesia populnea plant leaves based bioplasticizer macromolecules reinforced with polylactic acid biofilms for packaging applications.

Plasticizers are active ingredients added to the polymer to increase its workability. Since synthetic plasticizer is not ecofriendly and toxic in nature, it is a real cause for concern. On this basis, our study focuses on plasticizer extraction from plant-based resources. In this research work, Thespesia populnea leaves are utilized for the isolation of biological macromolecules with a plasticizing effect for biofilm applications. This extraction process is done through solvent extraction, amination, slow pyrolysis, and surface catalysis process. The physico-chemical and microstructural characterization of novel plasticizer particles were studied for the first time. The lower crystallinity index and crystalline size obtained from X-ray diffraction is 50.08 % and 20.45 nm respectively. Energy dispersive spectroscopy, particle sizer analysis, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy are used to assess surface morphology of this plasticizer. The thermogram and differential thermal analysis curves give the information about degradation behavior of plasticizers and their thermal stability. The glass transition temperature of the extracted plasticizer is 60.56 °C. The plasticizing effect of the plasticizer is studied through film fabrication of polylactic acid which was blended with the extracted plasticizer. The mechanical property of biofilm was improved with the addition of plasticizer. The elongation break percentage (for 5 % plasticizer 46.12 %) was increased compared to others with moderate tensile strength. However, the tensile and elongation modulus decreases with the increase of plasticizer content. The crystallinity of the PLA film was improved after the plasticization. The thermal stability also increased with 3 % addition of the plasticizer. The isolated plasticizer was soluble in water and its molecular weight ≈380.

Evaluation of microwave irradiated Polyacrylamide grafted Opuntia leaf mucilage graft copolymer (OPM-g-PAM) as effective controlled release polymer for release of Rosuvastastin as model drug.

Controlled drug delivery systems offer numerous advantages. This research evaluates Opuntia leaf mucilage grafted with polyacrylamide (OPM-g-PAM) as a promising controlled-release polymer. PAM chains were grafted onto the backbone of OPM using a microwave-assisted method. Optimization of the best grade was based on % grafting efficiency and intrinsic viscosity, followed by extensive physical and analytical characterizations. Analytical characterizations revealed semicrystalline nature of the biomaterial. SEM and AFM observations revealed rough and porous surfaces, indicating effective grafting. Swelling behavior showed maximum sensitivity at pH 7, with reduced swelling at higher sodium chloride concentrations. A comparative study of % drug release of Rosuvastatin over 24 h showed that the optimized grade controlled drug release effectively, achieving 78.5 % release compared to 98.8 % for GF-3. The release data fitted the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, with an "n" value of 0.8334, indicating non-Fickian (anomalous) diffusion. Bacterial biodegradability studies confirmed the high biodegradability of the graft copolymer. In vitro acute toxicity tests showed no toxicity, as confirmed by histopathological studies of heart, liver, and kidney. Overall, the results indicate that OPM-g-PAM is a highly promising material for use in drug delivery systems, demonstrating potential as a novel controlled-release polymer.

Characterization of new cellulose fiber extracted from second generation Bitter Albizia tree.

The present work examines the physical, thermal tensile, and chemical properties of wood skin fibers obtained from second generation Bitter Albizia (BA) tree skin. Chemical characterization of BA fibers showed the presence of various chemical contents such as cellulose of 74.89 wt. %, hemicellulose of 14.50 wt. %, wax of 0.31 wt. %, lignin of 12.8 wt. %, moisture of 11.71 wt. %, and ash of 19.29 wt. %. The density of BA fibers (BAFs) was showed 1285 kg/m3. XRD analysis of BAFs showed a crystallinity index (CI) of 57.20% and size of crystallite of 1.68 nm. Tensile strength and strain to failure of BAFs examined through tensile test were 513-1226 MPa and 0.8-1.37% respectively. TGA portrayed the thermal steadiness of BAFs as 339 °C with 55.295 kJ/mol kinetic activation energy, its residual mass was 23.35% at 548 °C. BAFs with high CI, less wax content, and better tensile strength make more suitable for making polymer matrix composites. SEM images of the BAFs surface depicted that the fiber outer surface has more rough which shows that they can contribute to hige fiber-matrix adhesion during composites preparation.

Isolation of microcellulose from timoho fiber using the process of delinigfication and maceration: Evaluation of physical, chemical, structural, and thermal properties.

Timoho fiber (TF) is a biodegradable bio-fiber rich in cellulose and a renewable agro textile fiber rich in cellulose polysaccharides. Isolation of micro cellulose from TF is an alternative reinforcement approach in a bio-composite application. This study characterized TF obtained from isolation employing FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, and TGA using hydrolysis. Pretreatment was done using alkaline, bleaching, and hydrolysis. FTIR confirmed that the maximum amount of noncellulosic materials had been removed from TF. The XRD result showed that hydrolysis treatment increased the crystal size and crystallinity index of the TF (88.68 %). TGA also revealed that the highest thermal stability had been found in the hydrolyzed TF. The micro cellulose TF represented an interesting source of cellulose reinforcing materials, and it might be continued in the form of nano cellulose.

Assessment of biodegradation of lignocellulosic fiber-based composites - A systematic review.

Lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced polymer composites are the most extensively used modern-day materials with low density and better specific strength specifically developed to render better physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Synthetic fiber-reinforced composites face some serious issues like low biodegradability, non-environmentally friendly, and low disposability. Lignocellulosic or natural fiber-reinforced composites, which are developed from various plant-based fibers and animal-based fibers are considered potential substitutes for synthetic fiber composites because they are characterized by lightweight, better biodegradability, and are available at low cost. It is very much essential to study end-of-life (EoL) conditions like biodegradability for the biocomposites which occur commonly after their service life. During biodegradation, the physicochemical arrangement of the natural fibers, the environmental conditions, and the microbial populations, to which the natural fiber composites are exposed, play the most influential factors. The current review focuses on a comprehensive discussion of the standards and assessment methods of biodegradation in aerobic and anaerobic conditions on a laboratory scale. This review is expected to serve the materialists and technologists who work on the EoL behaviour of various materials, particularly in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites to apply these standards and test methods to various classes of biocomposites for developing sustainable materials.

Exfoliation and physico-chemical characterization of novel bioplasticizers from Nelumbo nucifera leaf for biofilm application.

Due to the extreme threats as environmental and health issues caused by the petroleum-based leachable plasticizers, researchers among different domains are more interested in finding unique biodegradable plasticizers from natural sources. The present study used Nelumbo nucifera leaf to extract novel biopolymers as viable substitutes for chemical plasticizers. The biopolymers extraction was carried out through chemical means and its physico-chemical and morphological characterization were carried out to confirm its plastic nature. The polymers extracted possess a low glass transition temperature (77.17 °C), good thermal stability (230 °C), low density (0.94 g/cc), good surface roughness (34.154 µm), low crystallinity index (25.1%) and moderate crystallite size (16.36 nm). The presence of an organic polymer with specific chemical groups as olefinic alkenes, epoxide, imino/azo groups, and hydrophobic organic siloxane groups, signify that the material is a condensed phenolic derivative. Furthermore, bio-film was formulated using NLP and poly lactic acid (PLA) matrix to evaluate its plasticizing effect and film-forming ability. Variation in specific properties of film was noted after bio-plasticizer addition, where tensile strength (20.94 ± 1.5 MPa to 19.22 ± 1.3 MPa) and Young's modulus (1.462 ± 0.43 GPa to 1.025 ± 0.52 GPa) was found to be decreased whereas increased the percentage of elongation at break (26.30 ± 1.1% to 39.64 ± 1.6%). In addition, decreased glass transition temperature (Tg) (59.17 °C), good surface compatibility, and increased flexibility of NLP-PLA film in contrast to pure PLA film authorizes the plasticizing effect of bio-plasticizers on PLA. Since the extracted bio-plasticizers could be a suitable replacement to harmful synthetic plasticizers for lightweight packaging applications in bioplastics sector.

Attempt to identify antimicrobial Tridax procumbens (TP) mechanical properties using experimental work coupled with FEM model for biomedical applications.

Medicinal plants play a prodigious role in the wound-healing process. Tridax procumbens (TP) has been proven to show strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and could heal skin infections. Identifying mechanical properties of TP in his solid state and mixed with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) have never been studied before. In this study, fresh TP liquid extracts blended with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) biofilm were developed through the solution casting method. The casted film was tested for tensile strength through the Universal Tensile Tester (UTT), and the results were compared with the Finite Element Numerical Model (FEM) through the FEM code developed on the ANSYS solver. The experimental mean tensile test results for pure CMC were found as follows: tensile stress at the maximum of 15.31 MPa, modulus of elasticity of 7,24 GPa, the density of 1,62 g/cm3, and Poisson's ratio of 0.22. The experimental mean tensile test results for pure CMC/TP 50% were as follows: tensile stress at the maximum of 26.2 MPa, modulus of elasticity of 2.092 GPa, and density of 1.276 g/cm3. After several iterations, the following results were found for pure TP: modulus of elasticity of 0.225 GPa, a density of 0.93 g/cm3, and Poisson's ratio of 0.4 through FEM using inverse method technique. The experimental results were compared with the FEM solutions, which were found to be very close to the experimental results. The TP/CMC bio-membrane could be applied as a good wound dressing in biomedical applications. Mechanical properties found in this paper can contribute to the valorization of TP usage in several medical curing films applications.

Recent progress of bioplastics in their properties, standards, certifications and regulations: A review.

The environmental impact associated with fossil fuel-based polymers has paved the way to explore biopolymer-based plastics, their properties, and their applications. Bioplastics are polymeric materials that are greatly interesting due to their eco-friendlier and non-toxic nature. In recent years, exploring the different sources of bioplastics and their applications has become one of the active research areas. Biopolymer-based plastics have applications in food packaging, pharmaceuticals, electronics, agricultural, automotive and cosmetic sectors. Bioplastics are considered safe, but there are several economic and legal challenges to implementing them. Hence, this review aims to i) outline the terminology associated with bioplastics, its global market, major sources, types and properties of bioplastics, ii) discuss the major bioplastic waste management and recovery options, iii) provide the major standards and certifications regarding bioplastics, iv) explore the various country-wise regulations and restrictions associated with bioplastics, and v) enumerate the various challenges and limitations associated with bioplastics and future directions. Therefore, providing adequate knowledge about various bioplastics, their properties and regulatory aspects can be of great importance in the industrialization, commercialization and globalization of bioplastics to replace petroleum-based products.