Blends of Chitosan and Water Kefir Grain Biomass Incorporated with Nanosilica

The use of by-products from the food industry for development bioplastics represents an outstanding strategy in meeting current demands material circularity. In this work, films based on chitosan (CH) and water kefir grain (WKG) biomass incorporated with different concentrations (3%–10% w/w) nanosilica (SiO2) were developed first time. key properties required packaging assessed. There are no structural changes (FT-IR) upon incorporation. However, XRD analysis indicates a tendency toward increase amorphous character films. For higher proportions nanosilica, SEM images indicate particle agglomeration points. control film (CH/WKG) experienced 5% mass loss at 68.3 °C, while CH/WKG10%SiO2 showed same reduction 75.7 indicating nanoparticles increased moisture-associated thermal stability tensile strength was not significantly influenced by incorporation but there elongation break, 25.01 ± 3.67% to 40.72 4.89% (CH/WKG/3%SiO2), followed drastic 9.10 1.99% (CH/WKG/10%SiO2). Overall, 3% SiO2 may be most promising concentration CH/WKG blends future application as sustainable alternatives packaging, since it is possible improve properties, such ductility stability, without marked losses