Pectin-polyvinylpyrrolidone films: A sustainable approach to the development of biobased packaging materials

Abstract

In this work, the new biodegradable blend films composed of natural polymer pectin and synthetic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone were obtained through casting process. The concentration of glycerol in all formulations was constant (2% v/v), while the amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone varied from 20 to 60% by mass of pectin. The molecular interactions between two components were elucidated by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, while functional properties of these films were carried out by determination of puncture resistance, tensile strength, thermal stability, water vapor barrier, wettability and printability. The blending of pectin with PVP led to an improvement of mechanical resistance, barrier properties and hydrophobicity of these films for 57%, 58 and 24%, respectively, remaining adequate thermal stability. Since pectin and PVP are nontoxic, food-grade and biodegradable materials, this research present an ecosustainable approach to provide films with satisfied physical properties for use as packaging material of non-food products, such as water-treatment products (detergents, biocides, agrochemical compounds).