The issue of waste management is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. With over 2.12 billion tons of waste generated globally each year, addressing this growing problem requires innovative, sustainable solutions. Laboratories, known for advancing science and technology, are also significant contributors to waste streams. Among these, agar-based media waste, commonly generated in microbiological and plant tissue culture labs, stands out due to its nutrient-rich composition and slow degradation kinetics. Traditionally, this waste has been incinerated or sent to landfills; these practices contribute to air pollution and environmental degradation.
To tackle this issue, researchers from Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute have developed “Agastic” — a biopolymer derived from agar-based non-hazardous laboratory waste. Agastic films provide an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, showcasing the potential to reduce plastic pollution while addressing the waste generated in laboratories. The innovative process of Agastic production has been patented, and its physical characterization was studied in detail, leading toward a sustainable approach to waste management (Wagh et al., 2024).
Biodegradable bioplastic-like material: Agastic generated from non-hazardous laboratory media wastes
The study demonstrates an innovative method for recovering agar from autoclaved non-hazardous laboratory media waste. The recovered agar is blended with bio-based plasticizers, such as guar gum, to produce bioplastic sheets. These sheets were characterized using advanced response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize mechanical and biodegradability properties, ensuring that the films meet industry standards for sustainability and functionality.
Physical Characteristics of Agastic Films
1. Mechanical Properties
Agastic films have shown considerable mechanical strength, with tensile strengths reaching up to 14.31 MPa, while elongation at break is up to 52%, making them flexible and durable. These properties were achieved by precisely optimizing the concentrations of agar-based non-hazardous laboratory waste and bio-plasticizers. The film’s ability to balance strength and flexibility makes it suitable for various packaging applications, particularly in areas where materials are subjected to stress or require pliability. The incorporation of ethanolamine enhances tensile strength, while glycerol improves elongation, ensuring that the films perform reliably under diverse conditions.
2. Biodegradability
One of the standout features of Agastic films is their rapid biodegradability. In soil degradation tests, Agastic films lost over 70% of their weight within just 15 days. This rapid breakdown is a significant improvement over conventional plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), which remain non-degradable in natural environments for decades.
This biodegradability not only reduces waste accumulation but also supports soil health, as the films are considered to decompose into non-toxic residues that do not harm ecosystems. This property makes Agastic an ideal material for short-term applications, such as plant nursery packaging or agricultural films.
3. Thermal Stability
The thermogravimetric analysis of Agastic films highlights their thermal resilience. Agastic film underwent three-stage thermal decomposition, peaking at 280°C, while some combinations of Agastic showed stability up to 765°C, indicating a higher tolerance to temperature variations. These thermal properties are influenced by the concentration and type of plasticizers used in the film. The findings suggest that Agastic films can be utilized in environments where exposure to heat is expected, broadening their application scope to include industrial and packaging scenarios that demand thermal durability.
4. Morphology and Composition
Microscopic analysis revealed the structural differences between the Agastic variants. One formulation displayed a uniform, non-porous structure, which directly contributed to its superior tensile strength. The compact structure minimizes weak points, making it ideal for applications requiring robust usage.
Conversely, other Agastic formulations exhibited a porous morphology, which enhanced their flexibility and made them more suitable for applications requiring adaptability, such as packaging materials for delicate items. Both variants were confirmed to be non-toxic through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, ensuring their safety for environmental and consumer use.
Applications and Future Prospects
Moisture-Sensitive Packaging
Agastic films excel in packaging materials that need to interact with moisture, such as nursery bags for plants. Their rapid biodegradability ensures that they decompose after use, reducing environmental impact.
Agricultural Films
Agastic films can be used as protective layers in farming, replacing polyethylene-based films. They provide the dual benefit of shielding crops while enriching the soil as they degrade.
Customizable Bioplastics
With further enhancements, such as the incorporation of nanofillers or other biopolymers, Agastic films could be tailored for high-performance applications in industries like food packaging, medical products, and industrial coatings.
Conclusion
This research highlights the transformative potential of converting non-hazardous laboratory agar waste into biodegradable Agastic films. By repurposing a previously underutilized waste stream, Agastic not only addresses the challenge of waste disposal but also contributes to the circular bioeconomy, where waste is transformed into valuable resources.
With properties like rapid biodegradation, enhanced mechanical strength, and thermal stability, Agastic films pave the way for eco-friendly innovations in packaging and agriculture. As research continues, integrating advanced materials and exploring new applications could further cement Agastic’s role as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.
References
- Wagh, P., Vaidya, V., & Nawani, N. (2024). Physical characterization of agar-based biodegradable films derived from non-hazardous laboratory waste. Energy & Environment.
- Park, S. H., Lee, C. R., & Hong, S. K. (2020). Implications of agar and agarase in industrial applications of sustainable marine biomass. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 104(7), 2815–2832.
- Hernández, V., Ibarra, D., Triana, J. F., et al. (2022). Agar biopolymer films for biodegradable packaging: A reference dataset for exploring the limits of mechanical performance. Materials, 15(11).
- Mostafa, N. A., Farag, A. A., Abo-dief, H. M., et al. (2018). Production of biodegradable plastic from agricultural wastes. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 11, 546–553.
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- Farah, S., Anderson, D. G., & Langer, R. (2016). Physical and mechanical properties of PLA, and their functions in widespread applications—A comprehensive review. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 107, 367–392.
- Awadhiya, A., Kumar, D., & Verma, V. (2016). Crosslinking of agarose bioplastic using citric acid. Carbohydrate Polymers, 151, 60–67.
- Liu, S., Huang, J., Zhang, W., et al. (2022). Microplastics as a vehicle of heavy metals in aquatic environments: A review of adsorption factors, mechanisms, and biological effects. Journal of Environmental Management, 302, 113995.
Authors
Shreya Deshpande, Ketaki Ingawale, Manasi Borkar, Tanishq Chavan, Tanmay Darade, Priyanka Wagh, Dr. Viniti Vaidya*, Prof. Neelu Nawani*
Microbial Diversity Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411033, India.
Emails: neelu.nawani@dpu.edu.in, viniti.vaidya@dpu.edu.in