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Suchat S, Boonrasri S. Advancement of an Environmentally Friendly and Innovative Sustainable Rubber Wrap Film with Superior Sealing Properties. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1499. [PMID: 38891446 PMCID: PMC11174811 DOI: 10.3390/polym16111499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Common kitchen wraps like plastic and aluminum foil create significant environmental burdens. Plastic wrap, typically made from non-renewable fossil fuels, often ends up in landfills for centuries, breaking down into harmful microplastics. Aluminum foil, while effective, requires a large amount of energy to produce, and recycling it at home can be impractical due to food residue. A promising new alternative, low-nitrosamine rubber wrap film, aims to reduce waste by offering a reusable option compared to traditional single-use plastic wrap. The film is environmentally friendly, durable, and effective in sealing containers and keeping food fresh or crispy. The raw materials used to make the product were studied, namely fresh and concentrated natural rubber latex. No nitrosamines were found in either the fresh or concentrated latex, which is important as nitrosamines are known to be carcinogenic. The absence of nitrosamines in the raw materials suggests that the universal rubber wrap film is safe for use. In this study, the rubber formulation and properties of rubber used to make rubber wrap film were studied. The content of additives affecting the rubber properties was varied to find the optimum rubber formulation for making rubber wrap films. The rubber formulation with the least amount of chemicals that met the following criteria was selected: tensile strength of at least 15 MPa, elongation at break of at least 600%, and nitrosamine content below 6 ppm. It was found experimentally that the optimum rubber formulation for making a translucent rubber film had 0.7 phr zinc oxide and 1.0 phr sulfur. Performance tests revealed the rubber wrap film's superior sealing capabilities. Its elasticity allows for a tighter fit on containers, effectively conforming to various shapes and creating an optimal seal compared to plastic wrap and aluminum foil. The results of this study provide valuable information for developing a universal rubber wrap film that is safe with low nitrosamines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunisa Suchat
- Faculty of Science and Industrial Technology, Prince of Songkla University Surat Thani Campus, Surat Thani 84000, Thailand
| | - Siwarote Boonrasri
- Faculty of Engineering and Agro-Industry, Maejo University, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand
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Su Y, Li T, Mao Y, Liu L, Wen S. High-efficiency antibacterial and barrier properties of natural rubber/graphene oxide@Ag/carboxymethyl chitosan composites. POLYM-PLAST TECH MAT 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/25740881.2022.2113891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxian Su
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, CY, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Advanced Elastomers, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, CY, China
| | - Teng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, CY, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Advanced Elastomers, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, CY, China
| | - Yingyan Mao
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, FN, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University & Capital Medical University, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing, SN, China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, CY, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Advanced Elastomers, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, CY, China
| | - Shipeng Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, CY, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Advanced Elastomers, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, CY, China
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Thumwong A, Poltabtim W, Kerdsang P, Saenboonruang K. Roles of Chitosan as Bio-Fillers in Radiation-Vulcanized Natural Rubber Latex and Hybrid Radiation and Peroxide-Vulcanized Natural Rubber Latex: Physical/Mechanical Properties under Thermal Aging and Biodegradability. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:3940. [PMID: 34833239 PMCID: PMC8618650 DOI: 10.3390/polym13223940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although natural rubber was regarded as biodegradable, the degradation is a time-consuming process that could take weeks or months for any degradation or substantial weight loss to be observable, resulting in the need for novel processes/methods to accelerate the rubber degradation. As a result, this work investigated the potential utilization of chitosan (CS) as a biodegradation enhancer for radiation-vulcanized natural rubber latex (R-VNRL) and hybrid radiation and peroxide-vulcanized natural rubber latex (RP-VNRL) composites, with varying CS contents (0, 2, 4, or 6 phr). The R-VNRL samples were prepared using 15 kGy gamma irradiation, while the RP-VNRL samples were prepared using a combination of 0.1 phr tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHPO) and 10 kGy gamma irradiation. The properties investigated were biodegradability in the soil and the morphological, chemical, mechanical, and physical properties, both before and after undergoing thermal aging. The results indicated that the biodegradability of both the R-VNRL and RP-VNRL composites was enhanced with the addition of CS, as evidenced by increases in the percentage weight loss (% weight loss) after being buried in soil for 8 weeks from 6.5 ± 0.1% and 6.4 ± 0.1% in a pristine R-VNRL and RP-VNRL samples, respectively, to 10.5 ± 0.1% and 10.2 ± 0.1% in 6-pph CS/R-VNRL and 6-pph CS/RP-VNRL composites, respectively, indicating the biodegradation enhancement of approximately 60%. In addition, the results revealed that the addition of CS could increase the value of tensile modulus by 119%, while decrease the values of tensile strength and elongation at break by 50% and 43%, respectively, in the specimens containing 6-phr CS. In terms of the color appearances, the samples were lighter and yellower after the addition of CS, as evidenced by the noticeably increased L* and b* values, based on the CIE L*a*b* color space system. Furthermore, the investigation into the effects of thermal aging showed that the overall tensile properties for both curing systems were reduced, while varying degrees of color change were observed, with the pristine R-VNRL and RP-VNRL samples having more pronounced degradation/changes for both properties. In conclusion, the overall results suggested that CS had great potential to be applied as a bio-filler in R-VNRL and RP-VNRL composites to effectively promote the biodegradability, environmental friendliness, and resistance to thermal degradation of the composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkarapol Thumwong
- Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (A.T.); (W.P.); (P.K.)
- Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Worawat Poltabtim
- Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (A.T.); (W.P.); (P.K.)
| | - Patcharaporn Kerdsang
- Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (A.T.); (W.P.); (P.K.)
| | - Kiadtisak Saenboonruang
- Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (A.T.); (W.P.); (P.K.)
- Specialized Center of Rubber and Polymer Materials in Agriculture and Industry (RPM), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
- Special Research Unit of Radiation Technology for Advanced Materials, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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Kołodziejska M, Jankowska K, Klak M, Wszoła M. Chitosan as an Underrated Polymer in Modern Tissue Engineering. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:3019. [PMID: 34835782 PMCID: PMC8625597 DOI: 10.3390/nano11113019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chitosan is one of the most well-known and characterized materials applied in tissue engineering. Due to its unique chemical, biological and physical properties chitosan is frequently used as the main component in a variety of biomaterials such as membranes, scaffolds, drug carriers, hydrogels and, lastly, as a component of bio-ink dedicated to medical applications. Chitosan's chemical structure and presence of active chemical groups allow for modification for tailoring material to meet specific requirements according to intended use such as adequate endurance, mechanical properties or biodegradability time. Chitosan can be blended with natural (gelatin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, silk, alginate, agarose, starch, cellulose, carbon nanotubes, natural rubber latex, κ-carrageenan) and synthetic (PVA, PEO, PVP, PNIPPAm PCL, PLA, PLLA, PAA) polymers as well as with other promising materials such as aloe vera, silica, MMt and many more. Chitosan has several derivates: carboxymethylated, acylated, quaternary ammonium, thiolated, and grafted chitosan. Its versatility and comprehensiveness are confirming by further chitosan utilization as a leading constituent of innovative bio-inks applied for tissue engineering. This review examines all the aspects described above, as well as is focusing on a novel application of chitosan and its modifications, including the 3D bioprinting technique which shows great potential among other techniques applied to biomaterials fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kołodziejska
- Foundation of Research and Science Development, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (M.K.); (K.J.); (M.W.)
| | - Kamila Jankowska
- Foundation of Research and Science Development, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (M.K.); (K.J.); (M.W.)
| | - Marta Klak
- Foundation of Research and Science Development, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (M.K.); (K.J.); (M.W.)
- Polbionica Ltd., 01-793 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Wszoła
- Foundation of Research and Science Development, 01-793 Warsaw, Poland; (M.K.); (K.J.); (M.W.)
- Polbionica Ltd., 01-793 Warsaw, Poland
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Guerra NB, Sant'Ana Pegorin G, Boratto MH, de Barros NR, de Oliveira Graeff CF, Herculano RD. Biomedical applications of natural rubber latex from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 126:112126. [PMID: 34082943 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The past decades have witnessed tremendous progress in biomaterials in terms of functionalities and applications. To realize various functions such as tissue engineering, tissue repair, and controlled release of therapeutics, a biocompatible and biologically active material is often needed. However, it is a difficult task to find either synthetic or natural materials suitable for in vivo applications. Nature has provided us with the natural rubber latex from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, a natural polymer that is biocompatible and has been proved as inducing tissue repair by enhancing the vasculogenesis process, guiding and recruiting cells responsible for osteogenesis, and acting as a solid matrix for controlled drug release. It would be extremely useful if medical devices can be fabricated with materials that have these biological properties. Recently, various types of natural rubber latex-based biomedical devices have been developed to enhance tissue repair by taking advantage of its biological properties. Most of them were used to enhance tissue repair in chronic wounds and critical bone defects. Others were used to design drug release systems to locally release therapeutics in a sustained and controlled manner. Here, we summarize recent progress made in these areas. Specifically, we compare various applications and their performance metrics. We also discuss critical problems with the use of natural rubber latex in biomedical applications and highlight future opportunities for biomedical devices produced either with pre-treated natural rubber latex or with proteins purified from the natural rubber latex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayrim Brizuela Guerra
- Area of Exact Sciences and Engineering, University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, BR
| | - Giovana Sant'Ana Pegorin
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Km01 Araraquara-Jaú Road, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miguel Henrique Boratto
- Department of Physics, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Sciences, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natan Roberto de Barros
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 11570 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA.
| | | | - Rondinelli Donizetti Herculano
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Km01 Araraquara-Jaú Road, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
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