title: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of biodegradable starch/PVA composite films reinforced with cellulosic fibre.
abstract: Cellulosic fibres reinforced composite blend films of starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared by using citric acid as plasticizer and glutaraldehyde as the cross-linker. The mechanical properties of cellulosic fibres reinforced composite blend were compared with starch/PVA crossed linked blend films. The increase in the tensile strength, elongation percentage, degree of swelling and biodegradability of blend films was evaluated as compared to starch/PVA crosslinked blend films. The value of different evaluated parameters such as citric acid, glutaraldehyde and reinforced fibre to starch/PVA (5:5) was found to be 25 wt.%, 0.100 wt.% and 20 wt.%, respectively. The blend films were characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA/DTG). Scanning electron microscopy illustrated a good adhesion between starch/PVA blend and fibres. The blend films were also explored for antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results confirmed that the blended films may be used as exceptional material for food packaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Shoolini University, Solan Himachal Pradesh 173212, India.
authors.forename: Bhanu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Priya
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India. Electronic address: vinodfcy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vinod Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pathania
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, 177005, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Amar Singh
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Singha
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D063566:Biodegradable Plastics / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002482:Cellulose / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018857:Food Packaging; D032382:Grewia / Q000737:chemistry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013213:Starch / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D063566:Biodegradable Plastics; D012987:Soil; D002482:Cellulose; D013213:Starch
keywords: Antibacterial activity; Degree of swelling; Mechanical properties; Starch/PVA blend film; Thermal analysis