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Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable Plastic from Red Seaweed ( Gracilaria sp.) from Coastal Areas in Bangladesh
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This study extracted semi-refined kappa carrageenan from the red seaweed Gracilaria sp. found in coastal Bangladesh and developed bioplastic films blended with sorbitol and polyethylene glycol, achieving over 90% biodegradability in 16 days and up to 20 MPa tensile strength. The results identify Gracilaria sp. as a promising feedstock for biodegradable food packaging bioplastics, with polyethylene glycol 1540 blends showing superior mechanical and physical properties.
Abstract Bioplastics are biobased or biodegradable plastic synthesized from natural resources with similar features to conventional plastic and environmental sustainability. Seaweed species abundant in the coastal regions of Bangladesh are yet to be explored for developing biodegradable plastic to solve the plastic pollution problem. Semi‐refined kappa carrageenan was extracted from Gracilaria sp . with Pressurized Hot Water Extraction (PHWE) and blended with sorbitol and polyethylene glycol 1540 in this study, respectively. The presence of carrageenan and other functional groups was confirmed with FTIR analysis. The bioplastic films showed over 90 % biodegradability after 16 days of soil burial test and 98 % water solubility after immersion for 16 days. Maximum 20 MPa tensile strength and 44 % elongation were observed from the bioplastic films. The polyethylene glycol 1540 blended films showed better physical and mechanical properties. SEM analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of tensile strength and elongation on the surface integrity of the bioplastic films. The findings indicate that Gracilaria sp . found in the coastal regions of Bangladesh, can be a potential candidate for developing bioplastics for food packaging and many other applications.
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Bioplastics were produced by combining carrageenan with corn, sago, and cassava starches, then characterized for mechanical properties, biodegradation, and water vapor transmission. Results showed starch type had minimal effect on mechanical performance, while all formulations met biodegradation standards, confirming marine seaweed and agricultural starch as viable bioplastic raw materials.
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This review examined seaweed-derived polysaccharides (alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, agar, ulvan) as sustainable alternatives to plastic food packaging materials, surveying recent developments in biodegradable films, coatings, and wraps. Seaweed's fast growth, minimal resource requirements, and rich polysaccharide content make it a promising candidate for reducing persistent plastic packaging waste in food systems.
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Researchers developed a bioplastic composite from alginate and carrageenan — both derived from seaweed — and tested how varying carrageenan content affected its physical and mechanical properties. Higher carrageenan content improved strength and flexibility. Seaweed-based bioplastics could replace conventional plastics in packaging applications while reducing plastic pollution.
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