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Engineering algal nanocellulose-reinforced PVA bioplastics for material-enabled seed coating processes
Sudarshan Sahu1, Chaitanya Kumar2, Anupreet Kaur1
1Department of Biotechnology Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|April 14, 2026
Summary
Algal nanocellulose (ANC) reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) bioplastic films show promise for sustainable agriculture. Optimized ANC-PVA films significantly improved seed germination and growth, offering an effective biodegradable seed coating.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Algal nanocellulose (ANC) from Desmodesmus abundans is a sustainable reinforcement for biodegradable polymers.
- The application of microalgae-derived nanocellulose in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) bioplastic films for agricultural seed coating is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize ANC-PVA composite films for biodegradable seed coating applications.
- To optimize the formulation of ANC-PVA films using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
Main Methods:
- ANC was extracted via acid hydrolysis, characterized by FTIR and XRD.
- ANC-PVA composite films were fabricated with glycerol as a plasticizer.
- Mechanical, structural, and thermal properties were evaluated, and RSM was used for optimization.
Main Results:
- Optimized formulation (1.5g PVA, 0.3g ANC, 0.1g glycerol) achieved 5.02 MPa tensile strength with balanced flexibility.
- ANC-PVA films significantly enhanced seed germination, increasing root length by 36% and shoot length by 22%.
- Improvements in germination were observed from day 3 onwards for coated seeds.
Conclusions:
- ANC-PVA bioplastic films are effective biodegradable seed-coating materials.
- These films hold significant potential for sustainable agricultural applications.
- The study highlights the viability of algal nanocellulose in enhancing agricultural practices.
