Biodegradação de filmes Poliméricos de Ágar em água doce

Abstract

The use of materials from plastic, a non-renewable source, is worrying, as they generate serious environmental problems in terms of accumulation and pollution in marine and fresh water environments. Thinking about this problem, researchers propose to develop biodegradable materials, using renewable sources. Agar is a gelling agent that can be used in the production of food packaging, in addition to having a low cost and a good degradation rate. The objective of this research was to develop a biodegradable film incorporating agar and glycerol for degradation in fresh water. The casting method was used in the production of the film. Film characterization tests were also carried out, such as mechanical, barrier, water solubility and contact angle properties, as well as biodegradability in fresh water. The results obtained indicate values for the thickness of 0.035 ± 0.0159 mm, the weight of 0.0515 ± 0.0105 g / cm2 , the permeability to water vapor of 2,95x10-11 ± 3,08x10-11 kg / Pa.s.m, the solubility of 13,21 ± 2,37%, the swelling index between 74.47 ± 12.12 a 133.74 ± 15.67%, the breakdown voltage of 31.29 ± 2.35 M.Pa, elongation of 16.31 ± 4.65% and contact angle of 27.23 ± 9.34°. The biodegradability of the film, in weight loss, was approximately 22% over a period of forty days. According to the results, the percentage of biodegradation was significant compared to other studies that obtained satisfactory results. The present work showed the attributes of the production of biodegradable films from agar and glycerol, with characteristics of biodegradability and sustainability. The films developed were a good alternative for replacing plastics that pollute the marine environment, demonstrating great potential as a material for sustainable packaging.