VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

SIR M. VISVESVARAYA INSTITUTE OF

TECHNOLOGY, BENGALURU
DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
TECHNICAL SEMINAR[18BTS84]
ON
Utilizing seaweed for sustainable plastic
alternative

GUIDE: PRESENTED BY:

Dr. ISHWAR CHANDRA DHEERAJ M R (1MV20BT013)
Assistant Professor
Department of biotechnology
 CONTENTS

1) INTRODUCTION
2) LITERATURE SURVEY
3) CULTIVATION OF SEAWEEDS
4) BIOPLASTIC MAKING FROM SEAWEEDS
5) CASE STUDY
6) BIBLIOGRAPHY
7) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2
 INTRODUCTION
❖Seaweed, also known as macroalgae, encompasses a diverse
group of large multicellular algae that thrive in marine
environments worldwide.
❖They are divided into three main groups according to their
color, which is produced by the presence of pigments
❖Brown seaweeds (phylum Ochrophyta, class Phaeophyceae)
have an abundance of pigments that vary from yellow to dark
brown , while red seaweeds (phylum Rhodophyta) contain high
amounts of carotenoids, chlorophyll (a and d), phycoerythrin,
phycocyanin and allophycocyanin.
❖Green seaweeds (phylum Chlorophyta) possess mainly
chlorophyll, which has a key role in photosynthesis. Its
greenish pigmentation conveys the typical green color in plants,
algae, and cyanobacteria.
❖Lomartire, S., Marques, J. C., & Gonçalves, A. M. (2022). An overview of the alternative use of seaweeds to produce safe
and sustainable bio-packaging. Applied Sciences, 12(6), 3123. 3
 INTRODUCTION
❖Moreover, seaweeds might be also employed in several
industrial applications, such as the production of fertilizers ,
aquaculture feed, biofuels, application in wastewater
treatments, or to produce innovative and ecologic materials to
replace plastic equivalents, contributing towards a sustainable
solution to protect the environment from the discharge of
non-biodegradable plastic.
❖Plastic industries are responsible for a very high amount of
plastic waste, especially due to the production of packaging;
thus, it is of high priority that we find new, eco-friendly
material to develop biodegradable packaging.
❖As the global population increases, the demand for plastic
products also increases, along with the level of plastic waste
in the environment.
❖Lomartire, S., Marques, J. C., & Gonçalves, A. M. (2022). An overview of the alternative use of seaweeds to produce safe
and sustainable bio-packaging. Applied Sciences, 12(6), 3123. 4
 INTRODUCTION
❖Macroalgae have more potential as a source of bioplastics due to their higher biomass, fast
reproduction, they are easily maintained in all environments, and are cost-effective
❖In addition to their biodegradability property, seaweed-derived biofilms might exhibit
antimicrobial activities, as seaweeds produce antimicrobial compounds, identified as
phenols, fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, and minor compounds , which take part in
mechanisms of antibiotic defence developed to survive the harsh environments seaweeds
inhabit.
❖ The integration of the whole seaweed, or seaweed extracts, with antimicrobial activity in
food packaging manufacture might increase the shelf-life of foods and prevent the
development of food borne pathogens.
❖Seaweed-derived biological compounds, such as carrageenan, agar, and alginate, possess
unique physical, optical, mechanical, thermal, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, and
the biodegradability of seaweed-derived bioactive compounds make them ideal candidates
to produce bioplastic packaging for medicine and food.
❖Lomartire, S., Marques, J. C., & Gonçalves, A. M. (2022). An overview of the alternative use of seaweeds to produce safe
and sustainable bio-packaging. Applied Sciences, 12(6), 3123. 5
 LITERATURE SURVEY
❖The biopolymer films derived from seaweed derivatives generally demonstrated favorable
mechanical properties, with tensile strength (TS) ranging between 10 and100 MPa and
elongation at break (EAB) exceeding 10%, except for the KA biofilm.
❖The incorporation of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) positively influenced the TS and EAB of
the films, while also affecting their physical properties such as solubility, opacity, and
moisture content.
❖However, the KA + G + 10%CNF film exhibited a surface with slight cracks, roughness,
and larger lumps and dents, resulting in inferior mechanical properties (18.50 Mpa) and an
uneven physical structure, making it unsuitable for biofilm production.
❖The KC + G + 10%CNF film exhibited mechanical properties of 24.97 Mpa and water
vapor permeability of 1.42311 × 10−11 g s−1 m−1 Pa−1.

Wan Yahaya, W. A., Azman, N. A. M., Adam, F., Subramaniam, S. D., Abd Hamid, K. H., & Almajano, M. P. (2023). Exploring the
potential of seaweed derivatives for the development of biodegradable plastics: a comparative study. Polymers, 15(13),
2884. 6
 LITERATURE SURVEY
❖On the other hand, the RC/G/10%CNF film displayed the highest TS (48.23 MPa), but it
also had higher solubility in water (66%).
❖In contrast, the SRC/G/10%CNF film demonstrated excellent mechanical properties (45.98
MPa), low water solubility (42.59%), low water vapor permeability (1.3719 × 10−11 g s−1
m−1 Pa−1), and a high decomposition temperature.
❖These attributes make it a promising candidate for packaging films incorporating active
agents.
❖Overall, this research highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate seaweed
derivative and optimizing the composition to achieve the desired film properties.
❖ By understanding the effects of CNF addition and the specific characteristics of different
seaweed derivatives, it becomes possible to develop films suitable for various applications,
including food packaging, with enhanced properties and stability.
Wan Yahaya, W. A., Azman, N. A. M., Adam, F., Subramaniam, S. D., Abd Hamid, K. H., & Almajano, M. P. (2023). Exploring the
potential of seaweed derivatives for the development of biodegradable plastics: a comparative study. Polymers, 15(13),
2884. 7
 LITERATURE SURVEY
❖The higher tensile strength and good deformability (high strain at break) are also good
parameters for packaging applications.
❖The oxygen permeability was identical for both agar/glycerol films and higher when
compared with the synthetic polymers used in food packaging. Agar/glycerol films were
transparent and optically clear.
❖The amount of glycerol added led to good results not compromising the potential
applications for food packaging.
❖Regarding the coating application tests, results showed that coatings made with Gracilaria
extracted agar/glycerol solutions were effective in extending cherry tomatoes shelf life in
terms of weight loss and firmness although during the second half of the test period this
difference tended to vanish.
Sousa, A. M., Sereno, A. M., Hilliou, L., & Gonçalves, M. P. (2010, March). Biodegradable agar extracted from Gracilaria
vermiculophylla: film properties and application to edible coating. In Materials science forum (Vol. 636, pp. 739-744). Trans
Tech Publications Ltd. 8
 LITERATURE SURVEY
❖The results obtained show that agar extracted from G.vermiculophylla constitutes a cheap
alternative to commercial agar regarding the food packaging application and coating.
❖The main objectives of this work were clearly achieved: the potential use to algal waste that
is produced by aquaculture processes was given and new possibilities for agar applications
that go beyond his gelling properties were shown.
❖For future work, an improvement of agar characteristics for films and edible coatings will be
sought, namely by studying different formulations, possibly with different plasticizers.
❖In contrast, the SRC + G + 10%CNF film demonstrated excellent mechanical properties
(45.98 MPa), low water solubility (42.59%), low water vapor permeability (1.3719 × 10−11
g s−1 m−1 Pa−1), and a high decomposition temperature (250.62 °C) compared to KA, KC
and RC.

Sousa, A. M., Sereno, A. M., Hilliou, L., & Gonçalves, M. P. (2010, March). Biodegradable agar extracted from Gracilaria
vermiculophylla: film properties and application to edible coating. In Materials science forum (Vol. 636, pp. 739-744). Trans
Tech Publications Ltd. 9
 CULTIVATION OF SEAWEEDS
❖Seaweeds can be cultivated through open farming or in a closed system using photo
bioreactors .
❖Among many culture techniques, single rope floating raft technique developed by Central
salt and marine and chemical research institute (CSMCRI) is suitable for culturing
seaweeds in wide area and greater depth.
❖ Greater biomass can be obtained through open farming. The locations for growing
seaweeds is dependent on species being cultivated and should include a strong substrate
where stakes can be installed. The viable seed plants are transplanted onto the stakes for
further growth.

10
 BIOPLASTIC MAKING FROM SEAWEEDS
❖The component of seaweeds used in the making of bioplastics is polysaccharides.
Some of the polysaccharides of seaweeds are carrageenan, agar, floridean starch and
alginate.
❖Quality control of polysaccharides extract begins at the harvest.
❖ The seaweed is systematically gathered, quickly dried and then baled to maintain its
quality and freshness.
❖At the manufacturing site, the dried seaweed is mechanically ground and sieved to
eliminate impurities such as sand and salt which is followed by extensive washing to
ensure additional quality.
❖ Seaweeds undergo a hot extraction process to separate the polysaccharides which is a
two-step clarification process.

Rajendran, N., Puppala, S., Sneha Raj, M., Ruth Angeeleena, B., & Rajam, C. (2012). Seaweeds can be a new source for
bioplastics. J. Pharm. Res, 5(3), 1476-1479.
11
 BIOPLASTIC MAKING FROM SEAWEEDS

❖First the dissolved polysaccharide mixture is centrifuged to eliminate the

dense cellulosic particles, filtered to remove the smaller particles and then,
the solution is concentrated by evaporation for the removal of water.
❖The polysaccharides are then recovered by one of the two processing
methods.
❖In one method, potassium chloride solution is added to the concentrated
solution of polysaccharides to increase the gelling temperature so that the
filtrate will gel immediately.
❖ The gel is then frozen and compressed to remove excess water.

Rajendran, N., Puppala, S., Sneha Raj, M., Ruth Angeeleena, B., & Rajam, C. (2012). Seaweeds can be a new source for
bioplastics. J. Pharm. Res, 5(3), 1476-1479.
12
 BIOPLASTIC MAKING FROM SEAWEEDS
❖In another method, the concentrated solution is
precipitated in isopropyl alcohol and as the
polysaccharides are insoluble in alcohol, the filtrate
turns into a coagulum of polysaccharides, alcohol and
water.
❖ The coagulum is compressed to remove excess of
liquids and vacuum dried to completely remove the
alcohol.
❖Drying is completed on a belt drier and is blended to
meet the finished product of exact specification.

Rajendran, N., Puppala, S., Sneha Raj, M., Ruth Angeeleena, B., & Rajam,
C. (2012). Seaweeds can be a new source for bioplastics. J. Pharm. Res,
5(3), 1476-1479. 13
 CASE STUDY - 1
CARRAGEENAN : A POTENTIAL DERIVATIVE OF SEAWEED FOR
THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS

OBJECTIVES: Biodegradable films made from biopolymer materials to replace

conventional plastics, which can reduce waste disposal problems.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
❖This study aims to explore the potential of different seaweed derivate films consisting of
2% (w/w) of kappaphycus alverezi (KA), kappa carrageenan (KC), refined carrageenan
(RC) and semi-refined carrageenan (SRC) as bio-based materials with 0.9% (w/w) glycerol
(G), and reinforced with different concentrations of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) derived
from palm waste.
❖A characterization of the glycerol-plasticized seaweed derivatives containing 0, 5, 10, and
15% (v/w) cellulose nanofiber is carried out.
❖Wan Yahaya, W. A., Azman, N. A. M., Adam, F., Subramaniam, S. D., Abd Hamid, K. H., & Almajano, M. P. (2023). Exploring
the potential of seaweed derivatives for the development of biodegradable plastics: a comparative study. Polymers, 15(13),
2884. 14
 CASE STUDY - 1
❖The CNFs were studied based on their mechanical, physical and thermal properties
including mechanical properties, thickness, moisture content, opacity, water solubility,
water vapor permeability and thermal stability
❖The hydrogen bonding was determined using the DFT calculation generated by Gauss
view software version 9.6.

RESULTS AND INFERENCE:

❖The KA + G + 10%CNF film exhibited a surface with slight cracks, roughness, and larger
lumps and dents, resulting in inferior mechanical properties (18.50 Mpa), making it
unsuitable for biofilm production.
❖The KC + G + 10%CNF film exhibited mechanical properties 24.97 Mpa and water vapor
permeability of 1.42311 × 10−11 g s−1 m−1 Pa−1.

❖Wan Yahaya, W. A., Azman, N. A. M., Adam, F., Subramaniam, S. D., Abd Hamid, K. H., & Almajano, M. P. (2023). Exploring
the potential of seaweed derivatives for the development of biodegradable plastics: a comparative study. Polymers, 15(13),
2884. 15
 CASE STUDY - 1
❖The RC/G/10%CNF film displayed the highest TS (48.23 MPa) and water vapor
permeability (1.4168 × 10−11 g s−1 m−1 Pa−1), but it also had higher solubility in water
(66%).
❖In contrast, the SRC + G + 10%CNF film demonstrated excellent mechanical properties
(45.98 MPa), low water solubility (42.59%), low water vapor permeability (1.3719 ×
10−11 g s−1 m−1 Pa−1), and a high decomposition temperature (250.62 °C) compared to
KA, KC and RC.
❖These attributes develop films suitable for various applications, including food packaging
with enhanced properties and stability.

❖Wan Yahaya, W. A., Azman, N. A. M., Adam, F., Subramaniam, S. D., Abd Hamid, K. H., & Almajano, M. P. (2023). Exploring
the potential of seaweed derivatives for the development of biodegradable plastics: a comparative study. Polymers, 15(13),
2884. 16
 CASE STUDY - 2
BIODEGRADABLE AGAR EXTRACTED FROM GRACILARIA
VERMICULOPHYLLA: FILM PROPERTIES AND APPLICATION TO
EDIBLE COATING
OBJECTIVES : Production of biodegradable agar films from Gracilaria vermiculophylla,
collected in Ria de Aveiro, Portugal, and the study of the effect of glycerol, an hydrophilic
plasticizer, on the properties of the films and on subsequent application in edible coating of
fresh fruits and vegetables.
METHODOLOGY:
❖The agar extraction was carried out at specific optimum parameters determined in previous
work (3.5 h pre-treatment duration, 6% NaOH concentration and 2 h extraction time).

❖Sousa, A. M., Sereno, A. M., Hilliou, L., & Gonçalves, M. P. (2010, March). Biodegradable agar extracted from Gracilaria
vermiculophylla: film properties and application to edible coating. In Materials science forum (Vol. 636, pp. 739-744). Trans
Tech Publications Ltd. 17
 CASE STUDY - 2
❖Agar films were made using the knife coating technique
and compared with commercial agar.
❖The physical properties of films such as hygroscopicity,
mechanical resistance (Young’s modulus, tensile strength
and elongation), and permeability to water vapour and
oxygen were characterized.
RESULTS AND INFERENCE:
❖The plasticizer addition revealed and increase on elongation and decrease on tensile
strength.
❖The films were transparent and optically clear, showing good properties similar to the
commercial agar films.
❖Sousa, A. M., Sereno, A. M., Hilliou, L., & Gonçalves, M. P. (2010, March). Biodegradable agar extracted from Gracilaria
vermiculophylla: film properties and application to edible coating. In Materials science forum (Vol. 636, pp. 739-744). Trans
Tech Publications Ltd. 18
 CASE STUDY- 2
❖The potential application of the agar solution to fresh vegetable preservation was
tested.
❖ Model fruits and vegetables were coated with the biopolymer/plasticizer solution and
compared with a control sample in terms of colour, firmness, weight loss and shelf life.
❖Considering on one hand the abundance of the raw algal material which is actually an
invasive species, and the properties of the agar films and coatings obtained on the other
hand, commercial use of Gracilaria vermiculophylla from Ria de Aveiro is well
justified.

❖Sousa, A. M., Sereno, A. M., Hilliou, L., & Gonçalves, M. P. (2010, March). Biodegradable agar extracted from Gracilaria
vermiculophylla: film properties and application to edible coating. In Materials science forum (Vol. 636, pp. 739-744). Trans
Tech Publications Ltd.
19
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
❖Lomartire, S., Marques, J. C., & Gonçalves, A. M. (2022). An overview of the alternative use of
seaweeds to produce safe and sustainable bio-packaging. Applied Sciences, 12(6), 3123.
❖Wan Yahaya, W. A., Azman, N. A. M., Adam, F., Subramaniam, S. D., Abd Hamid, K. H., & Almajano,
M. P. (2023). Exploring the potential of seaweed derivatives for the development of biodegradable
plastics: a comparative study. Polymers, 15(13), 2884.
❖Sousa, A. M., Sereno, A. M., Hilliou, L., & Gonçalves, M. P. (2010, March). Biodegradable agar
extracted from Gracilaria vermiculophylla: film properties and application to edible coating.
In Materials science forum (Vol. 636, pp. 739-744). Trans Tech Publications Ltd.
❖Rajendran, N., Puppala, S., Sneha Raj, M., Ruth Angeeleena, B., & Rajam, C. (2012). Seaweeds can
be a new source for bioplastics. J. Pharm. Res, 5(3), 1476-1479.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
❖The satisfaction and the euphoria that accompany the successful completion
of any task would be incomplete without the mention of the people who
made it possible, whose constant guidance and support encouraged us
throughout the course of our project.
❖We remain indebted to our advisor and mentor Dr. Ishwar Chandra,
Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Sir. M. Visvesvaraya
Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, for their concrete suggestions,
encouragement and unparalleled guidance throughout the course of this
work, and also for their patience and moral inspiration.
❖We would like to thank Dr. H.G. Nagendra, Professor & Head Department
of Biotechnology, Sir MVIT for his guidance and encouragement and Dr.
Rakesh S G, Principal of Sir MVIT for his constant support.

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