BIODEGRADAÇÃO DE FILMES POLIMÉRICOS DE ÁGAR EM ÁGUA DOCE

Abstract

The objective of this research was to develop a film based on agar and glycerol with the intention of being used as food packaging, which also presents biodegradation characteristics. The casting method was used to produce the film. Tests were performed for physical characterization, water vapor permeability, water solubility, contact angle and biodegradability in fresh water. The results obtained indicate values for thickness of 0.035 ± 0.0159 mm, grammage of 0.0515 ± 0.0105 g / cm2, water vapor permeability of 2.95x10-11 ± 3.08x10-11 kg / Pa.s.m, solubility of 13.21 ± 2.37%, and the intumescence index between 74.47 ± 12.12% to 133.74 ± 15.67% and contact angle of 27.23 ± 9.34°. The biodegradability of the film, expressed in terms of mass loss, was approximately 22% over a 40-day period. According to the results, the developed films demonstrate to be a good alternative for the substitution of plastics and present great potential as a material for sustainable packaging.