Work

Production of an environmentally friendly biodegradable cellulose crystalline nanocomposite based on PHB obtained from Cupriavidus necator for developing the shelf life of food products

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The potential of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by Cupriavidus necator IBRC-M10878 using chicken skin oil as a novel carbon source was investigated to reduce production costs and provide a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers. The synthesized PHB was characterized using GC, GPC, 13 C NMR, FTIR, DSC, TGA, XRD, and MFI analyses. Under optimized conditions, PHB concentration, cell dry weight, volumetric productivity, PHB yield based on substrate consumption, and biomass yield reached 3.52 g/L, 4.82 g/L, 0.05 g/L h, 0.41 g/g, and 0.73 g/g, respectively. The physical and thermal properties of PHB, including melting temperature (169.88 °C), glass transition temperature (4.80 °C), degree of crystallinity (57.80 %), maximum degradation temperature (298.82 °C), and weight-average molecular weight (322.57 kDa) were also determined. A biodegradable nanobiocomposite was developed using PHB as the polymer matrix and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as reinforcing agents (2 %, 5 %, and 6 %) via solvent casting with chloroform. The incorporation of 5 % cellulose nanocrystals into the PHB matrix resulted in improved organoleptic properties, a 12.39 % reduction in contact angle, a reduction in light transmission of up to 65.69 %, a 22.3 % decrease in water vapor transmission rate, and an 18.95 % reduction in oxygen transmission rate. Additionally, tensile strength and Young's modulus increased by 23.3 % and 38.2 %, respectively. These enhancements, particularly in barrier properties, contributed to improved shelf life of food products compared to pure PHB, indicating that this nanobiocomposite is a promising candidate for use in packaging applications.

Source: Polymer

DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129033

Authors: Hamid Gooran Orimi, Hossein Amani, Shila Safaeian

Institutions: Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Islamic Azad University North Tehran Branch

Language: English

Topic: biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,980