Study of Biocomposite Films Based on Cassava Starch and Microcrystalline Cellulose Derived from Cassava Pulp for Potential Medical Packaging Applications

Abstract

This study aimed to develop biocomposite films based on cassava starch and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derived from cassava pulp for potential medical packaging applications. MCC was extracted from cassava pulp, and its structure and chemical composition, crystallinity, and thermal properties were characterized. The MCC showed a yield of 14.92% and crystallinity of 46.91%. Different MCC contents (1%, 3%, and 5% w/w of starch) were incorporated into cassava starch films. The effects of MCC contents on film properties, including morphology, thickness, mechanical strength, chemical interactions, moisture content, surface wettability, and water activity index, were studied. The effects of UV-C sterilization on the disinfection of starch/MCC on film properties were determined. Results showed that all starch/MCC films exhibited good transparency and thickness ranging from 127 to 144 µm. As MCC content increased from 1 to 5%, Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the films improved significantly from 112.12 to 488.89 MPa and 3.21 to 11.18 MPa, respectively, while elongation at break decreased from 44.74 to 4.15%. Incorporating MCC also reduced film surface wettability, with the water contact angle increasing from 69.17° to 102.82°. The starch/3%MCC holds promise as a biocomposite film for medical packaging applications, offering advantages in terms of good transparency, mechanical properties, and surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the absence of microbial growth in the sterilized gauze pad with sealing in the sterilized starch/3%MCC film confirms that the UV-C sterilization, 30 min for each side at 254 nm effectively eliminated any microorganisms present on the starch/3%MCC film without damaging the film properties. This finding highlights a reliable approach to ensuring the sterility of starch/MCC films for medical packaging applications.