Potential Biodegradable Sticker Based on Carrageenaan and Chitosan with Addition of Lauric Acid: A Mini Review

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a significant problem with detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Conventional plastic stickers, widely used in various sectors, contribute to plastic waste accumulation and slow degradation. To address this issue, review has focused on developing biodegradable stickers made from natural polymers such as carrageenan and chitosan. Carrageenan, derived from red seaweed, forms gels and has potential as a biodegradable film due to its stability and high fiber content. Chitosan, derived from crustacean waste, is non-toxic and can act as a stabilizer, thickener, and protective layer in food products. However, chitosan alone has limitations in terms of brittleness and rigidity. Lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid found in coconut oil, can be added as a film-forming material to improve the mechanical properties and reduce water vapor permeability. Biodegradable films thickness, tensile strength & Percent elongation, and surface morphology play important roles in their quality characteristics. Biodegradable stickers made from lauric acid-based biodegradable films offer ink resistance, biodegradability, water resistance, and water solubility as key characteristics.