Publication Date

Spring 2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Chemical and Materials Engineering

Advisor

Yanaka Schneider; Katy Kao; Ozgur Keles

Abstract

This study evaluates the use of naturally harvested seaweed from the Monterey Bay to produce a biodegradable film for food packaging applications. Two different film-forming methods were evaluated: solution casting and compression molding. The solution casting method using an alginate biopolymer produced the most consistent results. The seaweed biopolymer was extracted from the seaweed biomass using a modified method, resulting in a yield of 11-25 %. The highest yield was observed when using the lowest biomass concentration of 10 wt. %. The extracted alginate was then cast into films at different levels of glycerol plasticization (15-35 wt.%). The addition of glycerol lowered the thermal stability, mechanical strength, and stiffness of the resulting films. With sufficient glycerol content, chemical interaction between glycerol and alginate was observed. Glycerol addition also improved material plasticity but only up to a limit of 25 w/w%.

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