Effect of addition of nanoclay, beeswax, tween-80 and glycerol on physicochemical properties of guar gum films

• RSM was used to optimize beeswax, tween-80, nanoclay & glycerol in guar gum film.
• Gamma irradiation of beeswax was done to improve its compatibility with guar gum.
• Better compatibility led to incorporation of higher amount of beeswax into film.
• Optimized film with irradiated beeswax (50 kGy) demonstrated a WVTR of 69.2 g/m2/d.
• FTIR showed alkanes & aldehydes of irradiated beeswax interact with film matrices.

Effect of addition of nanoclay (nanofil-116), beeswax, tween-80 and glycerol on physicochemical properties of guar gum (GG) films was studied using response surface methodology (RSM). Beeswax produced reduction in water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and tensile strength (TS). An improvement in TS with reduction in WVTR was observed due to nanoclay. Concentrations of various additives were optimized to prepare films with improved properties. Optimized concentrations (beeswax: 0.63%; nanoclay: 2.5%; tween-80: 0.63%; glycerol: 11.87% w/w GG) resulted in TS of 98 MPa and WVTR of 89 g/m2/d. Compatibility between GG and beeswax was further increased using gamma irradiation. RSM study with 50 kGy irradiated beeswax was performed and optimum concentration of tween-80 (0.88%), irradiated beeswax (50 kGy) (1.21%), glycerol (13.91%), nanoclay (3.07%) w/w of GG resulted in films having TS of 122 MPa and WVTR of 69 g/m2/d. Guar gum based films with improved mechanical and barrier properties were successfully prepared.

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