Methylation of guar gum for improving mechanical and barrier properties of biodegradable packaging films.

ABSTRACT: Improving functional properties of biopolymers for use as environment friendly packaging is an area of current interest. Biodegradable films with improved barrier and mechanical properties were prepared from methylated guar gum. Methylation resulted in structural modification of guar gum (GG) promoting greater crystallization thereby enhancing thermal stability towards decomposition. Reduction in radius of gyration (R_g), weight average molecular weight (M_w), and an increase in polydispersity index (PDI) were also observed due to methylation. Methylated guar gum (MGG) films exhibited 40% lower water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) as compared to control purified guar gum (PGG) films. Films prepared by partial replacement of PGG with MGG (10, 25, 50, 75 and 100% w/w) sho

SUBMITTER: Tripathi J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6787019 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature