Characterization of Composite Bioplastic Produced Using Seaweed Polysaccharide

Bioplastics are biodegradable materials from renewable sources. They provide a promising application in several industrial fields to substitute environmentally deleterious petrochemical-based plastics. Bioplastic films were prepared using seaweed polysaccharides and plasticizers in distilled water. Composite seaweed/plasticizer bioplastic films, with different hydrocolloid and plasticizers types (glycerol and polyethylene glycol) and concentrations (1–3) were prepared. Also, biofilms were prepared with a combination of two natural polymers (polysaccharide/starch). Mechanical properties of films (tensile strength, elongation at break, friction and tearing) and thickness were investigated. Additionally, water solubility and thermal properties of the films were determined using a differential scanning calorimeter. The biodegradability of biofilms was studied in four environments’ end-of-life media (sediment, sand, seawater, and fertile soil) following samples weight loss. The suitable concentration of hydrocolloids giving better mechanical properties films was determined (2% polysaccharide). Furthermore, glycerol used as plasticizer at a concentration of 1% gave the best mechanical characteristic of the film with 43.5%, 21.7 mm, and 3.9 Mpa as value of elongation at break, deformation at break, and tensile strength. Bioplastic films obtained are completely biodegraded in seawater and sediment after a period of one month and have low moisture amount of 1.86%. Prepared materials may be used as biodegradable food packaging films for dry product.