Valorization of corn bran-derived carbohydrate polymers for developing biodegradable packaging films

Authors: Hussain, Syed Ammar; QI, PHOEBE - Retired ARS Employee; Sharma, Brajendra; Yadav, Madhav; MAINALI, KALIDAS - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Jin, Zhonglin

Submitted to: Journal of Polymers and the Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2025
Publication Date: 3/10/2025
Citation: Hussain, S., Qi, P.X., Sharma, B.K., Yadav, M.P., Mainali, K., Jin, Z.T. 2025. Valorization of corn bran-derived carbohydrate polymers for developing biodegradable packaging films. Journal of Polymers and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-025-03551-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-025-03551-2

Interpretive Summary: The usage of petroleum-based products such as plastics in food packaging has contributed considerably to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. In this study, we developed environmentally friendly packaging films based on corn bran-derived carbohydrate with other agricultural biomasses, such as pectin, proteins, and glycerol. Integrating pectin, proteins, and glycerol into carbohydrate polymer improved the overall mechanical properties of films and achieved the highest elongation at a break of 139%. Furthermore, oxygen and water vapor permeabilities of the films were reduced by up to 4 and 8%, respectively. The developed films could help minimize our reliance on traditional plastics, reduce plastic waste, and alleviate environmental impacts.

Technical Abstract: This study aims to design and evaluate the physicochemical and mechanical properties of biobased composite films made from hemicellulose (HB) combined with natural additives, including methylcellulose (MC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), pectin, selected proteins (whey, casein, soy, and pea), and glycerol. Physical qualities, peelability, foldability, and transparency were significantly enhanced, particularly in HB/CMC films. Integrating pectin, proteins, and glycerol improved the overall mechanical properties of HB/MC and HB/CMC-based films, supported by higher elongation at break, tensile stress, elastic modulus, and toughness. The HB/CMC/HMP/sodium caseinate/glycerol (HB/CMC/HMP/-NaCas/-G) film had the highest elongation at a break of 139%. A thermogravimetry (TGA) study found that supplementing additives to HB, MC, or CMC-based films improved thermal stability. Amongst the combinations studied, the film HB/CMC/HMP/-NaCas/-G had the highest peak temperature (276°C). Furthermore, oxygen and water vapor permeabilities, two of the most critical parameters for food packaging materials, were reduced by up to 4 and 8% for the NaCas- containing films (HB/MC/HMP/-NaCas and HB/CMC/HMP/-NaCas), respectively, compared to their controls. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed an additive relationship between HB and MC or CMC. SEM showed a smooth contact structure, indicating a homogeneous blending amongst HB, MC or CMC, and other additives. In this intervention work, we have demonstrated a viable solution for developing environmentally friendly packaging materials based on hemicellulose B extracted from corn bran, a plentiful low-value residual of the biofuel industry's corn kernel dry milling process combined with other agricultural biomasses, such as pectin, proteins, and glycerol. These films could help minimize our reliance on traditional plastics, reduce plastic waste, and alleviate environmental impacts.