Effect of thanaka powder (TK) content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid/TK composites for sustainable packaging
Abstract Growing global concern about plastic packaging waste has led to the development of eco-friendly polymer composites. Each year, hundreds of millions of metric tons of plastic are discarded, highlighting the need for green packaging solutions. In this study, composites based on PLA and TK wer...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Discover Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01719-3 |
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| author | Ektinai Jansri Narongchai O-Charoen Pattarawit Rukthong Khanittha Charoenlarp Porawan Naksang Nattaya Vuthiganond Piyaporn Kampeerapappun |
| author_facet | Ektinai Jansri Narongchai O-Charoen Pattarawit Rukthong Khanittha Charoenlarp Porawan Naksang Nattaya Vuthiganond Piyaporn Kampeerapappun |
| author_sort | Ektinai Jansri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Growing global concern about plastic packaging waste has led to the development of eco-friendly polymer composites. Each year, hundreds of millions of metric tons of plastic are discarded, highlighting the need for green packaging solutions. In this study, composites based on PLA and TK were prepared at different compositions using a twin-screw extruder and hot compression molding. Traditionally used for sun protection and skincare, TK contains bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. A higher TK content in the composite led to a reduction in tensile strength (approximately 21.3% at 10% TK content) and impact strength (around 15.1% at 10% TK content) compared to the composite without TK, and also resulted in a rougher surface morphology. DSC data indicated that the addition of TK increased the PLA matrix's degree of crystallinity and glass transition temperature. The color of PLA/TK composites became yellower and darker with increased TK content and demonstrated UV protection properties. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the TK powder was determined against S. aureus and E. coli (Gram-positive and Gram-negative, respectively). TK powder demonstrated more potent antibacterial activity inhibiting S. aureus than E. coli bacteria. In contrast, antibacterial tests showed no activity in the composite material, including PLA and PLA with TK composites at various concentrations. Despite this, the findings suggest that PLA/TK composites hold promise for packaging applications, offering biodegradability, enhanced tensile modulus, and UV protective properties. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bffe8d2bee4a4fe8ae4db09dfba4880a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-9984 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-bffe8d2bee4a4fe8ae4db09dfba4880a2025-08-20T03:42:45ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-08-016112010.1007/s43621-025-01719-3Effect of thanaka powder (TK) content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid/TK composites for sustainable packagingEktinai Jansri0Narongchai O-Charoen1Pattarawit Rukthong2Khanittha Charoenlarp3Porawan Naksang4Nattaya Vuthiganond5Piyaporn Kampeerapappun6Division of Polymer Materials Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Product Innovation and Technology, Srinakharinwirot UniversityDepartment of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology ThanyaburiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Srinakharinwirot UniversityFaculty of Textile Industries, Rajamangala University of Technology KrungthepDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Home Economics Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology KrungthepDivision of Materials and Textile Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Rangsit CenterFaculty of Textile Industries, Rajamangala University of Technology KrungthepAbstract Growing global concern about plastic packaging waste has led to the development of eco-friendly polymer composites. Each year, hundreds of millions of metric tons of plastic are discarded, highlighting the need for green packaging solutions. In this study, composites based on PLA and TK were prepared at different compositions using a twin-screw extruder and hot compression molding. Traditionally used for sun protection and skincare, TK contains bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. A higher TK content in the composite led to a reduction in tensile strength (approximately 21.3% at 10% TK content) and impact strength (around 15.1% at 10% TK content) compared to the composite without TK, and also resulted in a rougher surface morphology. DSC data indicated that the addition of TK increased the PLA matrix's degree of crystallinity and glass transition temperature. The color of PLA/TK composites became yellower and darker with increased TK content and demonstrated UV protection properties. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the TK powder was determined against S. aureus and E. coli (Gram-positive and Gram-negative, respectively). TK powder demonstrated more potent antibacterial activity inhibiting S. aureus than E. coli bacteria. In contrast, antibacterial tests showed no activity in the composite material, including PLA and PLA with TK composites at various concentrations. Despite this, the findings suggest that PLA/TK composites hold promise for packaging applications, offering biodegradability, enhanced tensile modulus, and UV protective properties.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01719-3BiocompositePackaging materialSustainabilityThanakaPolylactic acid |
| spellingShingle | Ektinai Jansri Narongchai O-Charoen Pattarawit Rukthong Khanittha Charoenlarp Porawan Naksang Nattaya Vuthiganond Piyaporn Kampeerapappun Effect of thanaka powder (TK) content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid/TK composites for sustainable packaging Discover Sustainability Biocomposite Packaging material Sustainability Thanaka Polylactic acid |
| title | Effect of thanaka powder (TK) content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid/TK composites for sustainable packaging |
| title_full | Effect of thanaka powder (TK) content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid/TK composites for sustainable packaging |
| title_fullStr | Effect of thanaka powder (TK) content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid/TK composites for sustainable packaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of thanaka powder (TK) content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid/TK composites for sustainable packaging |
| title_short | Effect of thanaka powder (TK) content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid/TK composites for sustainable packaging |
| title_sort | effect of thanaka powder tk content on the structural and functional properties of polylactic acid tk composites for sustainable packaging |
| topic | Biocomposite Packaging material Sustainability Thanaka Polylactic acid |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01719-3 |
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