Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging
The impact of synthetic packaging on environmental pollution has been observed for years. One of the recent trends of green technology is the development of biomaterials made from food processing waste as an alternative to plastic packaging. Polymers obtained from some polysaccharides, such as chito...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/18/3519 |
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| author | Natalia Wrońska Nadia Katir Marta Nowak-Lange Abdelkrim El Kadib Katarzyna Lisowska |
| author_facet | Natalia Wrońska Nadia Katir Marta Nowak-Lange Abdelkrim El Kadib Katarzyna Lisowska |
| author_sort | Natalia Wrońska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The impact of synthetic packaging on environmental pollution has been observed for years. One of the recent trends of green technology is the development of biomaterials made from food processing waste as an alternative to plastic packaging. Polymers obtained from some polysaccharides, such as chitosan, could be an excellent solution. This study investigated the biodegradability of chitosan–metal oxide films (ZnO, TiO<sub>2</sub>, Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) and chitosan-modified graphene films (CS-GO-Ag) in a soil environment. We have previously demonstrated that these films have excellent mechanical properties and exhibit antibacterial activity. This study aimed to examine these films’ biodegradability and the possibility of their potential use in the packaging industry. The obtained results show that soil microorganisms were able to utilize chitosan films as the source of carbon and nitrogen, thus providing essential evidence about the biodegradability of CS, CS:Zn (20:1; 10:1), and CS:Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (20:1) films. After 6 weeks of incubation, the complete degradation of the CS-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> 20:1 sample was noted, while after 8 weeks, CS-ZnO 20:1 and CS-ZnO 10:1 were degraded. This is a very positive result that points to the practical aspect of the biodegradability of such films in soil, where garbage is casually dumped and buried. Once selected, biodegradable films can be used as an alternative to plastic packaging, which contributes to the reduction in pollution in the environment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:45:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-37aea2b3b1744ba28066230fefaf02e3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:45:08Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj.art-37aea2b3b1744ba28066230fefaf02e32023-11-19T10:44:20ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582023-09-011218351910.3390/foods12183519Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic PackagingNatalia Wrońska0Nadia Katir1Marta Nowak-Lange2Abdelkrim El Kadib3Katarzyna Lisowska4Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-236 Lodz, PolandEngineering Division, Euromed Research Center, Euro-Med University of Fes (UEMF), Route de Meknes, Rond-Point de Bensouda, Fes 30070, MoroccoDepartment of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-236 Lodz, PolandEngineering Division, Euromed Research Center, Euro-Med University of Fes (UEMF), Route de Meknes, Rond-Point de Bensouda, Fes 30070, MoroccoDepartment of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha Street, 90-236 Lodz, PolandThe impact of synthetic packaging on environmental pollution has been observed for years. One of the recent trends of green technology is the development of biomaterials made from food processing waste as an alternative to plastic packaging. Polymers obtained from some polysaccharides, such as chitosan, could be an excellent solution. This study investigated the biodegradability of chitosan–metal oxide films (ZnO, TiO<sub>2</sub>, Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) and chitosan-modified graphene films (CS-GO-Ag) in a soil environment. We have previously demonstrated that these films have excellent mechanical properties and exhibit antibacterial activity. This study aimed to examine these films’ biodegradability and the possibility of their potential use in the packaging industry. The obtained results show that soil microorganisms were able to utilize chitosan films as the source of carbon and nitrogen, thus providing essential evidence about the biodegradability of CS, CS:Zn (20:1; 10:1), and CS:Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (20:1) films. After 6 weeks of incubation, the complete degradation of the CS-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> 20:1 sample was noted, while after 8 weeks, CS-ZnO 20:1 and CS-ZnO 10:1 were degraded. This is a very positive result that points to the practical aspect of the biodegradability of such films in soil, where garbage is casually dumped and buried. Once selected, biodegradable films can be used as an alternative to plastic packaging, which contributes to the reduction in pollution in the environment.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/18/3519biodegradable chitosan filmspackaging materialbioplastic |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Wrońska Nadia Katir Marta Nowak-Lange Abdelkrim El Kadib Katarzyna Lisowska Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging Foods biodegradable chitosan films packaging material bioplastic |
| title | Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging |
| title_full | Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging |
| title_fullStr | Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging |
| title_short | Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging |
| title_sort | biodegradable chitosan based films as an alternative to plastic packaging |
| topic | biodegradable chitosan films packaging material bioplastic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/18/3519 |
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