Process Optimization for Development of Guar Gum-Based Biodegradable Hydrogel Film Using Response Surface...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Food Science

Background:

• Biodegradable hydrogels are crucial for sustainable packaging solutions.
• Guar gum, a natural polysaccharide, presents a viable base for eco-friendly films.
• Current food packaging often relies on non-biodegradable materials, posing environmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a biodegradable hydrogel film from guar gum for food packaging.
• To investigate the impact of key formulation components on film properties.
• To assess the suitability of the developed film for packaging fruits and vegetables.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize film formulation.
• Investigated the effects of initiator (potassium persulfate), crosslinker (N-N methyl bis acrylamide), and plasticizer (glycerol) concentrations.
• Evaluated film properties including biodegradability, color difference (ΔE), hardness, swelling index, and transparency.

Main Results:

• The developed model accurately predicted film properties with a low prediction error (-3.19% to 2.99%).
• Optimized formulation (0.15% initiator, 0.02% crosslinker, 2.88% plasticizer) yielded satisfactory biodegradability, color, hardness, swelling, and transparency.
• Significant effects of independent variables on all tested parameters were observed.

Conclusions:

• A guar-gum-based biodegradable hydrogel film possesses adequate physical, optical, and biodegradable characteristics.
• The developed hydrogel film shows significant potential for successful application in the food packaging industry.
• Optimization using RSM provides an accurate and efficient method for developing functional biodegradable films.