Work

Assessing compatibility of cellulose nanocrystals from Piper betle L. waste as a nanofiller in starch/guar gum based active bio-composite films

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cellulose nanocrystals extracted from petioles of betel leaf (BLP-CNC) as a nanofiller to improve mechanical and water barrier properties of active bio-composite film. The evaluation was performed by embedding different concentrations of BLP-CNC ranging from 0.01 g/100 g to 0.04 g/100g into a potato starch, guar gum and betel leaf petiole extract-based biopolymer film (PSGG-BLPE). The results depicted that CNC reinforcement enhanced tensile strength of the film from 1.53 to 5.78 MPa and elongation at break 14% to 31%, as well as reduced water vapor permeability from 3.25×10 -7 to 1.69×10 -7 g.mm/m 2 .Pa.sec. Surface morphological analyses depicted a good structural compatibility of BLP-CNC into the PSGG-BLPE film. However, addition of CNC increased biodegradation time of PSGG-BLPE in soil and vermicompost and reduced migration of active components from the films. Therefore, it can be postulated that BLP-CNC can be considered as a nanofiller, particularly for starch-based active biopolymers, particularly for improving the mechanical and barrier properties.

Source: LWT

DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2026.120005

Authors: Sujosh Nandi, Puja Priyadarshini Nayak, Suradeep Basak, Proshanta Guha

Institutions: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Chandigarh University

Language: English

Topic: Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,240