Analysis of Biofilms from Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract: Kappa-carrageenan, a natural polymer that is a product derived from seaweeds has been gaining vast attention on researches because of its biodegradability and low cost production. On the side, Nanotechnology, the emerging Science of nanoparticles has been indulging the world with its new approaches on improving the characteristics of the medium used. This study differentiated the physicochemical properties of the films without and with the incorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnOnps) to kappa-carrageenan (kc).
 Materials and Methods: Incorporation of ZnOnps to kc was prepared, the physicochemical properties: moisture content, degradation time, structural composition, and surface morphology were differentiated between bio composite films with and without the ZnO nps.
 Results and Conclusion: After several tests, zinc oxide nano particles incorporated to kappa-carrageenan exhibited some changes to its physicochemical properties, that is the lowering of moisture content and longer degradation time was observed; using SEM magnifications ZnOnps was seen in the surface of the biocomposite film. However, structural composition analysis showed that no new formation of the functional group was seen. The biocomposite films could be a substitute with the existing drug capsule because of its longer decomposition, low water content and secured safety of the drug's quality.