SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYLACTIC ACID-BASED FILM UTILIZED FOR FOOD PACKAGING

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to synthetic polymers has driven the development of biopolymer-based blends with enhanced properties. This study aims to fabricate biodegradable food packaging films using polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) as biopolymers, along with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a plasticizer. A varying amount of PBAT was utilised to synthesize PLA/PEG/PBAT blend films. The films were characterized using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. Properties such as film thickness, tensile strength, elongation, light transmission, water vapor permeability, and oxygen permeability were also analysed. The incorporation of PBAT resulted in an increase in tensile strength and elongation at break, along with a decrease in both water and oxygen permeability. Additionally, the addition of PBAT was found to extend the freshness of Litchi fruit. This indicates that PLA/PEG/PBAT blend films showcase considerable potential for food packaging applications.