IASST developed an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable polymer using guar gum and chitosan. Guar gum and chitosan are both polysaccharides and biodegradable biopolymer. In general, polysaccharide is one of the most potential biopolymers that can be used as a synthesis of packaging material.
Highlight
- The fabricated crosslinked Guar gum-Chitosan composite film demonstrated superior properties.
- Guar gum-Chitosan composite film showed high mechanical strength, lower water solubility, and hydrophobic nature.
- Guar gum-Chitosan composite film can withstand harsh environmental conditions.
- The composite film can be potentially used in packaging applications.
- The fabricated crosslinked film didn’t dissolve in water even after 240 hours. In addition, the mechanical strength of crosslinked guar gum-chitosan composite film was 39 ± 1.15 MPa, which demonstrates the good mechanical strength.
- The crosslinked guar gum-chitosan composite film also shows a high contact angle 92.8º (hydrophobic), clearly demonstrating the water repellant nature of the film, and low water vapor permeability when compared with the film of only chitosan.
- Moreover, the fabricated crosslinked guar gum-chitosan composite film had high water stability, high mechanical strength, and excellent resistance to harsh environmental conditions.
- Therefore, it can potentially be used in packaging applications
