Research

Published) Seaweed-Based Nanocomposite Films 持続可能な食品包装：海藻由来コンポジットフィルム

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https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1l3XPWFfg~ta9

Sustainable Food Packaging: Seaweed-Based Bionanocomposite Films

A paper presents a development of eco-friendly food packaging materials. By harnessing the natural properties of Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed, the researhers have created a bionanocomposite film that is strong, safe, and fully biodegradable-offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. 本研究では、Kappaphycus alvarezii（カッパフィカス・アルバレジー）海藻の特性を活かし、強度・安全性・生分解性に優れた食品包装用バイオナノコンポジットフィルムを開発しました。石油由来プラスチックに代わる、環境にやさしい新素材です。

What Did They Develop?

  • Material Composition:
    The film is made from three seaweed-derived components:
    • Carrageenan (the main film matrix) カラギーナン（主成分）
    • Nanocellulose (for mechanical reinforcement) ナノセルロース（補強材）
    • Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (for antimicrobial protection) 銀ナノ粒子（AgNPs）（抗菌材
  • How Was It Made?
    All components were sourced from Kappaphycus alvarezii and combined using a solvent casting method, resulting in transparent, flexible films. Kappaphycus alvareziiから抽出した各成分を溶液キャスト法で成膜し、透明で柔軟なフィルムを作製しました。

Key Features and Advantages

  • Superior Strength and Flexibility:高い強度と柔軟性
    Adding nanocellulose and AgNPs significantly improved the film’s mechanical properties (tensile strength: 6.81 MPa, elastic modulus: 32.18 MPa, elongation at break: 18.7%).　ナノセルロースとAgNPsの添加により、引張強度や伸び率が大幅に向上（引張強度6.81 MPa、弾性率32.18 MPa、破断伸び18.7%）。
  • Moisture and Barrier Performance: 優れたバリア性
    The films show excellent resistance to water vapor (WVTR: 5.62 g/m²/day) and maintain low moisture content, making them suitable for protecting food freshness.　水蒸気透過率（WVTR: 5.62 g/m²/日）が低く、食品の鮮度保持に適しています。
  • Thermal Stability: 熱安定性
    Enhanced decomposition temperature (up to 282°C) ensures the film remains stable under typical food storage conditions.　分解温度が282°Cまで向上し、食品保存時の安定性を確保。
  • Biodegradability: 生分解性
    The film decomposes completely in soil within 15 days, leaving no persistent waste. 土壌中で15日以内に完全分解します。
  • Food Safety and Antimicrobial Action: 食品安全性・抗菌性
    Bread stored in these films remained mold-free for one month. Migration of silver ions into food was extremely low (0.013 µg/g), well below international safety limits. パンの保存試験で1ヶ月間カビの発生を抑制。銀イオンの食品への移行量も国際基準（0.05 µg/g）を大きく下回る（0.013 µg/g）。

Why Is This Important?

This research demonstrates that seaweed-based films can match or surpass conventional plastics in performance while being safe and environmentally friendly. The approach maximizes resource efficiency by using all parts of the seaweed, including waste, and addresses global concerns about plastic pollution and food safety.　本研究は、海藻由来フィルムが従来のプラスチックに匹敵または上回る性能を持ち、かつ安全で環境に優しいことを示しました。海藻の全成分を有効活用し、廃棄物の削減と食品安全の両立を実現しています。

Reference

S.S. Jaffar, S. Saallah, M. Misson, S. Siddiquee, J. Roslan (Univ. Malaysia Sabah), W. Lenggoro
Development and characterization of carrageenan/nanocellulose/silver nanoparticles bionanocomposite film from Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed for food packaging. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025, Article 143922.　https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143922