PJB-2019-602
Preparation and estimation of physio-mechanical properties of eco-friendly bioplastics of Gracilaria corticata from Karachi coast
Marium Asif, Asma Tabassum, Tahira M. Ali and Aliya Rahman
Abstract
This study aims to prepare sustainable and eco-friendly bio-plastics of agar extracted from the red seaweed Gracilaria corticata collected from Karachi coast. The bioplastic samples were assessed against different parameters like physio-mechanical properties, solubility ratio and soil-biodegradation at different agar concentrations by using two different plasticizers glycerol & sorbitol as plasticizers. The Scanning Electron Microscopic images of bioplastic samples were also studied. The obtained results showed that the increasing amount of agar in bio-plastics directly affects the thickness and tensile strength of the films. It was also observed that plasticizer glycerol was found to be more efficient in maximizing the elasticity of the films whereas sorbitol contributed in enhancing the bio-film’s tensile strength. Solubility tests and bio-degradation results of the bioplastic samples with lowest agar concentration, blended with glycerol revealed the highest solubility and decomposition rate.
To Cite this article:
Asif, M., A. Tabassum, T.M. Ali and A. Rahman. 2021. Preparation and estimation of physio-mechanical properties of eco-friendly bioplastics of Gracilaria corticata from Karachi coast. Pak. J. Bot., 53(4): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2021-4(40)
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