Effect of nanoclay particles on the physical and microstructural properties of psyllium seed hydrocolloid based nanocomposite films

In recent years using fresh foods that have undergone minimal processing, has become widespread. The use of biodegradable packaging is a new method for preserving of these products. The current research investigated the effect of different contents (1, 3, and 5 wt %) of montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay on the physical properties of psyllium seed hydrocolloid nanocomposites. With the addition of up to 5% MMT, the tensile strength of the nanocomposite films increased from 11.60 to 17.08 MPa and the percent of elongation decreased from 30.42% to 19.02%. At the level of 5% MMT, the nanocomposite films showed the 35.04% reduction in the water vapor permeability in comparison to pure psyllium film. In addition, water solubility decreased when MMT was incorporated into the nanocomposite films. Scanning electron microscopy images indicates a good distribution for nanoclay particles in the biopolymer matrix. This
study revealed that the psyllium seed hydrocolloid had a good potential to be used in producing nanocomposite film with desirable characteristics.