Effect of lignin on water vapor barrier, mechanical, and structural properties of agar/lignin composite films.
Biodegradable composite films were prepared using two renewable resources based biopolymers, agar and lignin alkali. The lignin was used as a reinforcing material and agar as a biopolymer matrix. The effect of lignin concentration (1, 3, 5, and 10wt%) on the performance of the composite films was studied. In addition, the mechanical, water vapor barrier, UV light barrier properties, FE-SEM, and TGA of the films were analyzed. The agar/lignin films exhibited higher mechanical and UV barrier properties along with lower water vapor permeability compared to the neat agar film. The FTIR and SEM results showed the compatibility of lignin with agar polymer. The swelling ratio and moisture content of agar/lignin composite films were decreased with increase in lignin content. The thermostability and char content of agar/lignin composite films increased with increased lignin content. The results suggested that agar/lignin films have a potential to be used as a UV barrier food packaging material for maintaining food safety and extending the shelf-life of the packaged food.
Department of Food Engineering and Bionanocomposite Research Institute, Mokpo National University, 61 Dorimri, Chungkyemyon, Muangun, Jeonnam 534-729, Republic of Korea.
Shiv
S
Shankar
Department of Food Engineering and Bionanocomposite Research Institute, Mokpo National University, 61 Dorimri, Chungkyemyon, Muangun, Jeonnam 534-729, Republic of Korea.
Jeevan Prasad
JP
Reddy
Department of Food Engineering and Bionanocomposite Research Institute, Mokpo National University, 61 Dorimri, Chungkyemyon, Muangun, Jeonnam 534-729, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jwrhim@mokpo.ac.kr.
Jong-Whan
JW
Rhim
D000362:Agar / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010539:Permeability; D012995:Solubility; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013227:Steam; D013696:Temperature; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001704:Biopolymers; D013227:Steam; D014867:Water; D000362:Agar; D008031:Lignin
Agar; Biocomposite films; Lignin