ECO-FRIENDLY POLYHYDROXYBUTYRATE-CHITOSAN-ZINC NANOCOMPOSITES: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO ANTIMICROBIAL AND SEED GERMINATION APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Nanoscience has vast promises in the 21st century, especially its revolutionary applications in biotechnology. Of these, bio-nanocomposites represent new materials synthesized by incorporating inorganic nanomaterials in biopolymers to achieve reinforced matrices possessing better mechanical, thermal, and functional properties. This research has examined the synthesis and characterization of a new PHB-Zinc-Chitosan (P-Z-C) bio-nanocomposite synthesized via a simple precipitation approach. The bio-nanocomposite was synthesized by combining polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) with zinc oxide and chitosan nanoparticles. FTIR, PSA, XRD, and FE-SEM characterization techniques verified the presence of principal functional groups, nanometer particle size (104.1 nm), crystallinity behavior, and porous surface morphology with incorporated zinc clusters. EDX analysis verified the elemental analysis, which was marked with higher carbon, oxygen, and zinc content. The P-Z-C bio-nanocomposite has also showed significant antimicrobial activity, with maximum antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (20.133 mm inhibition zone at 20 ppm) and antifungal activity against Aspergillus awamori (15.433 mm inhibition zone). Moong beans (Vigna radiata) and mustard (Brassica juncea) seed germination and seedling growth were observed by dipping the seeds in the gel of bio-nanocomposite. The findings have shown the high potential of the composite for biomedical application, active food packaging, and agricultural nanoencapsulation. The research highlights the potential of biodegradable nanocomposite synthesized from renewable resource to mitigate the sustainability issues while imparting reliable functional performance.