Suitability of incorporating plantain stem cellulose nanocrystals into cmc/gelatin film for packaging applications

Abstract

Plastic waste littering from food package poses severe pollution on the streets of most countries. Research on the high-value application of plantain stems, an abundant, easily available, and renewable agricultural waste for alternative bio-packaging is urgent and imperative. The present study investigated the application of natural waste products with outcomes of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) content on various physical properties of CNC, Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), gelatin barrier layers, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water absorption, x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) moisture uptake and total dissolved solid (TDS) as well as mechanical properties like thickness (THS), tensile strength (TNS) and elongation at break (EAB). The solution casting approach was effective in producing gelatin/CMC nanocomposites reinforced with CNC. According to the study’s findings, the CMC/gelatin and CNC films were needle-shaped, with lengths ranging from 81 to 286 nanometers, cross-sections from 8 to 21 nanometers, a dimensional proportion of 17, and a degree of crystallinity of 0.82 when observed under scanning electron microscopy. When 5 and 10 weight per cent of CNC were added, the CNC was proportionally dispensed throughout the network to produce equal barrier layers, showing that CNC and CMC/gelatin were well matched. The thickness (THS) of the nanocomposite films grew from 0.1 μm to 0.11 μm, and their tensile strength (TNS) also grew from 4.27 MPa to 7.22 MPa with the supplement of CNC. Additionally, their elongation at break (EAB) dropped as well, falling from 94.36 to 57.21%. The nanocomposite films TDS dropped from 70 to 63% as well. The outcomes show that using gelatin/CMC reinforced with CNC has several benefits because it is a naturally occurring, affordable, and plentiful material that can replace a lot of products with petroleum and non-degradable bases.