Corn starch and durian husk nanocellulose composite films: A green approach for biodegradable packaging

This study focuses on extracting nanocellulose (NC) from durian husk and its application in biopolymer packaging. This study successfully extracted nanocellulose from durian husk, demonstrating its potential as a valuable source. The nanocellulose exhibited a granular structure with interwoven chains and a mixed structure of cellulose types I and II. Thermal analysis showed a 62.38% weight loss at 600°C, indicating thermal stability. When added to starch films, nanocellulose did not affect film formation or biodegradability but increased water absorption. It also influenced the solubility of the films, reinforcing them at lower concentrations (2-4%) and increasing solubility at higher concentrations (6-10%). The addition of nanocellulose deepened the color intensity but had minimal impact on color change at 2-4%. Moreover, nanocellulose enhanced the antibacterial properties of the films, showing its potential in food packaging and biodegradable materials.