Synthesis of biodegradable semolina starch plastic films reinforced with biogenically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles
Muhammad Imran Din, Rimsha Sehar, Zaib Hussain, Rida Khalid, Asma Tufail Shah
Abstract
In present work, Semolina being used as biomass served to be the polymer matrix within which ZnO nanoparticles were incorporated. ZnO nanoparticles were biogenically synthesized using Syzygium cumini extract to avoid any hazardous side products. FT-IR analysis of ZnO reinforced Semolina plastic blends revealed hydrogen bond formation between the starch polymer matrix and nanoparticles. Moisture content test was performed which proved the decrease in the moisture content with an increase in ZnO NPs concentration where 9.7% served to be the lowest value by 10% ZnO blend. The water solubility test also confirmed this decreasing trend while increasing water resistance and antimicrobial activity was also confirmed. The cell cytotoxicity test was performed on the fibroblast cells where the 5% ZnO blend confirmed to be cytotoxic. The biodegradation of the 5% ZnO blend confirmed the faster rate of mineralization at the start while decreasing through time.