Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Xyloglucan films from tamarind kernels reinforced with chemically modified cellulose nanospheres

Researchers developed biodegradable films from tamarind kernel xyloglucan reinforced with chemically modified cellulose nanospheres as an alternative to conventional plastic food packaging. The bio-based films showed improved mechanical and barrier properties, offering a renewable approach to reducing microplastic and nanoplastic generation from the food packaging sector.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of the Addition of Fique Bagasse Cellulose Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Structural Properties of Plastic Flexible Films from Cassava Starch

This paper is not about microplastics — it develops biodegradable flexible films from cassava starch reinforced with cellulose nanoparticles derived from fique plant waste, focusing on sustainable packaging material properties.

2023 Polymers 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Study of structure and properties of biodegradable composite films based on thermoplastic starch

Researchers studied the structure and properties of biodegradable thermoplastic starch composites as potential replacements for conventional polyethylene plastics. Using starch — a natural, renewable polymer — as a filler in plastic films could reduce microplastic pollution by enabling faster environmental breakdown.

2023 E3S Web of Conferences
Article Tier 2

Effect of Nano-Silica and Sorbitol on the Properties of Chitosan-Based Composite Films

Chitosan composite films incorporating nano-silica and sorbitol were prepared and characterized, finding that the additives improved film flexibility and mechanical properties while maintaining biodegradability, with potential applications in food packaging.

2023 Polymers 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Enset starch-based biocomposite film reinforced with Ethiopian bentonite clay: Improved mechanical and barrier properties

Researchers developed an eco-friendly food packaging film made from enset starch reinforced with Ethiopian bentonite clay as an alternative to conventional plastics. Adding 5% bentonite clay increased the film's strength by 132% and reduced water permeability by 42%, making it a more practical option for food packaging. The study demonstrates a promising biodegradable material that could help reduce microplastic pollution from traditional plastic packaging.

2024 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhancing Biodegradable Plastics' Physical Properties Through the Incorporation of Talas Beneng Starch (Xanthosoma undipes K. Koch) and Glycerol as a Plasticizer

This study developed biodegradable plastics using taro starch, chitosan, and glycerol as a plasticizer, assessing their physical properties. Biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics are important for reducing the long-term accumulation of microplastics in soil and aquatic environments.

2023 Journal of Technomaterials Physics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Starch/Pectin as Emerging Renewable Materials for Fabrication of Sustainable Bioplastics for Food Packaging Applications

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper describes the development of biodegradable food packaging films made from plant-based starch, pectin, and chitosan, focused on replacing conventional plastics rather than studying their pollution.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Mechanical, structural, and biodegradability properties of bioplastics from tamarind seed starch

Researchers synthesised bioplastics from tamarind seed starch and characterised their mechanical, structural, and biodegradability properties as a sustainable alternative to synthetic plastics. The study demonstrated that tamarind starch-based bioplastics exhibit adequate mechanical performance and substantially faster biodegradation compared to conventional plastics, reducing the risk of microplastic accumulation in the environment.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Article Tier 2

Films from Starch Inclusion Complexes with Bioactive Compounds as Food Packaging Material

Researchers created biodegradable food packaging films from starch combined with the bioactive compounds carvacrol and ascorbic acid. The films demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties while being mechanically suitable for packaging applications. The study presents a promising alternative to conventional plastic food packaging that could both preserve food and reduce plastic waste.

2025 Food and Bioprocess Technology 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Preliminary Investigation of Bioplastics from Durian Seed Starch Recovery Using PEG 400 for Reducing Marine Debris

Researchers developed a bioplastic from durian seed starch combined with polyethylene glycol as a plasticizer, aiming to produce a marine-debris-reducing alternative to conventional plastic. Biodegradable starch-based plastics could help reduce persistent plastic waste entering ocean environments.

2022 Journal of Ecological Engineering 6 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of biodegradable thermoplastic starches, their blends and composites: recent developments and opportunities for single-use plastic packaging alternatives

This review analyzed how different plasticizers, compatibilizers, and essential oils affect biodegradable thermoplastic starch blends and composites. The study suggests these materials offer promising alternatives to single-use plastic packaging, highlighting recent developments in improving their mechanical and barrier properties.

2022 Green Chemistry 214 citations
Article Tier 2

Tuning the Properties of Xylan/Chitosan-Based Films by Temperature and Citric Acid Crosslinking Agent

This paper is not about microplastics in an environmental or health context; it describes the development of xylan-chitosan bioplastic films crosslinked with citric acid as a petroleum-free alternative packaging material, focused on material properties rather than pollution or exposure.

2024 Polymers 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the Role of Chitosan in Fabricating Biodegradable Films for Functional Food Packaging: A Review

This review examines the use of chitosan — a biopolymer derived from crustacean shells — in fabricating biodegradable food packaging films, evaluating its mechanical, antimicrobial, and barrier properties as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.

2023 Journal of Young Pharmacists 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Facile Strategy to Construct Metal–Organic Coordination Thermoplastic Starch with High Hydrophobicity, Glass-Transition Temperature, and Improved Shape Recovery

Researchers developed a biodegradable thermoplastic starch material enhanced with zinc acetate to improve its water resistance, heat tolerance, and mechanical strength. This work is relevant to developing plastic alternatives that could reduce the environmental burden of petroleum-based plastics.

2020 ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 29 citations
Article Tier 2

On the Mechanical, Thermal and Biodegradation of Jackfruit Seed Starch Bioplastic

Researchers created bioplastic from jackfruit seed starch with glycerol as a plasticizer and optimized the ratio to achieve better mechanical, thermal, and biodegradable properties. Plant-based bioplastics could help reduce dependence on petroleum-based plastics that persist in the environment as microplastics.

2023 International Journal of Advanced Research in Science Communication and Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Bio-nanocomposites films based on unmodified and modified thermoplastic starch reinforced with chemically modified nanoclays

Researchers developed biodegradable bio-nanocomposite films by combining chemically modified thermoplastic starch with functionalized nanoclays via reactive extrusion, demonstrating that both strategies synergistically reduce water sensitivity and improve mechanical and barrier properties — offering a pathway toward more stable, sustainable packaging materials that degrade without generating persistent plastic waste.

2023 Journal of Materials Science 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Chitosan with Natural Additives as a Potential Food Packaging

Researchers reviewed the potential of chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin, as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging. Chitosan-based materials combined with natural additives show promising antimicrobial and biocompatible properties while being biodegradable. The study suggests these materials could help reduce plastic packaging waste and the associated microplastic pollution from food industry sources.

2023 Materials 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Chitosan as a sustainable alternative for fresh food packaging: Structural insights, modification strategies, and innovations for commercial viability

Researchers reviewed how chitosan — a natural biopolymer derived from crustacean shells — can serve as a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastic food packaging, detailing chemical modification strategies, nanocomposite reinforcement approaches, and recent advances in antimicrobial and antioxidant performance that improve its commercial viability.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Barrier Property, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Biodegradability of Waste Cassava Peel Starch/Waste Shrimp Shell Chitosan/Sorbitol Bioplastic Films

Researchers investigated bioplastic films made from waste cassava peel starch and shrimp shell chitosan with sorbitol as a plasticizer, evaluating barrier properties, antimicrobial susceptibility, and biodegradability using a constrained D-optimal mixture design. They found that cassava starch and sorbitol most significantly influenced water uptake and vapor transmission rates, while both components also promoted biodegradation through increased hydrophilicity and microbial colonization.

2025 International Journal of Multidisciplinary Applied Business and Education Research
Article Tier 2

Material and Environmental Properties of Natural Polymers and Their Composites for Packaging Applications—A Review

This review assessed the material and environmental properties of natural polymers including cellulose, starch, chitosan, and protein for food packaging applications, comparing their performance to conventional plastics. The authors found that natural polymer composites can approach the tensile strength and water vapor barrier properties needed for packaging while offering significant environmental benefits at end of life.

2022 Polymers 69 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Biodegradable Films Made from Taro Peel (Colocasia esculenta) Starch

Researchers developed biodegradable films from taro peel starch for the first time, optimizing starch and glycerol concentrations to produce films with plastic-like qualities as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based packaging.

2023 Polymers 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhancing water resistance and mechanical properties of starch‐based edible biofilms through chitosan, seaweed, and sodium tripolyphosphate modifications

Researchers developed improved starch-based edible biofilms using chitosan, seaweed, and sodium tripolyphosphate as sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic food wrapping. The study found that these modifications significantly enhanced the biofilms' mechanical strength and water resistance while maintaining non-toxic and antimicrobial properties, offering a promising eco-friendly replacement for conventional plastic packaging.

2024 Polymer Engineering and Science 3 citations
Article Tier 2

An Antibacterial and Antioxidant Food Packaging Film Based on Amphiphilic Polypeptides‐Resveratrol‐Chitosan

Researchers developed a biodegradable food packaging film made from natural materials including chitosan and resveratrol that kills bacteria and prevents food spoilage. Unlike conventional plastic packaging that breaks down into microplastics, this film is made entirely from biological materials and poses no microplastic contamination risk. This type of eco-friendly alternative could help reduce the microplastics that enter the food supply through traditional plastic packaging.

2024 Small 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Development and Characterization of Starch Based Bioplatics Using Banana Peels

This study developed bioplastic films from banana peel starch as a biodegradable alternative to conventional petroleum-based packaging plastics. Food waste-based bioplastics offer a sustainable approach to reducing the accumulation of persistent microplastics in the environment.

2023 American Journal of Polymer Science and Technology