Properties of Macroalgae Biopolymer Films Reinforcement with Polysaccharide Microfibre.

Developing robust and biodegradable biopolymer films based on macroalgae is a challenging task because of its inadequate mechanical strength and poor moisture barrier attribute to its hydrophilic nature. A promising and sustainable approach to overcome this challenge is to reinforce the biopolymer film with polysaccharide microfibre (microcrystalline cellulose) derived from Gigantochloa levis bamboo (GL-MCC). Eucheuma cottonii macroalgae were used for the development of biopolymer films without further extraction and purification, which was considered economical and easy. The mechanical, water contact angle (WCA), water absorption capacity (WSC), and thermal behaviour of macroalgae-based biopolymer films revealed that the inclusions of GL-MCC significantly enhanced the durability, moisture barrier, and thermal stability of the biopolymer films. The enhancement is ascribed to the interaction between macroalgae and GL-MCC due to high compatibility. Moreover, the incorporation of GL-MCC successfully increased the rigidity of the macroalgae-based biopolymer films against microorganism and moisture attack, but remain biodegradable and environmental-friendly. The developed biodegradable macroalgae/GL-MCC biopolymer films can potentially be used as packaging materials.

Enhancement in the Physico-Mechanical Functions of Seaweed Biopolymer Film via Embedding Fillers for Plasticulture Application-A Comparison with Conventional Biodegradable Mulch Film.

This study aimed to compare the performance of fabricated microbially induced precipitated calcium carbonate⁻ (MB⁻CaCO3) based red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) bio-polymer film and commercial calcium carbonate⁻ (C⁻CaCO3) based red seaweed bio-film with the conventional biodegradable mulch film. To the best of our knowledge, there has been limited research on the application of commercial CaCO3 (C⁻CaCO3) and microbially induced CaCO3 (MB⁻CaCO3) as fillers for the preparation of films from seaweed bio-polymer and comparison with biodegradable commercial plasticulture packaging. The results revealed that the mechanical, contact angle, and biodegradability properties of the polymer composite films incorporated with C⁻CaCO3 and MB⁻CaCO3 fillers were comparable or even superior than the conventional biodegradable mulch film. The seaweed polymer film incorporated with MB⁻CaCO3 showed the highest contact angle of 100.94°, whereas conventional biodegradable mulch film showed a contact angle of 90.25°. The enhanced contact angle of MB⁻CaCO3 resulted in high barrier properties, which is highly desired in the current scenario for plasticulture packaging application. The water vapor permeability of MB⁻CaCO3 based seaweed films was low (2.05 ± 1.06 g·m/m²·s·Pa) when compared to conventional mulch film (2.68 ± 0.35 g·m/m²·s·Pa), which makes the fabricated film an ideal candidate for plasticulture application. The highest tensile strength (TS) was achieved by seaweed-based film filled with commercial CaCO3 (84.92% higher than conventional mulch film). SEM images of the fractured surfaces of the fabricated films revealed the strong interaction between seaweed and fillers. Furthermore, composite films incorporated with MB⁻CaCO3 promote brighter film, better water barrier, hydrophobicity, and biodegradability compared to C⁻CaCO3 based seaweed polymer film and conventional mulch film. From this demonstrated work, it can be concluded that the fabricated MB⁻CaCO3 based seaweed biopolymer film will be a promising candidate for plasticulture and agricultural application.

Age-related macular degeneration and mortality: the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study.

AimsTo assess associations between features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and mortality.MethodsA total of 21 129 participants from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study aged 47-85 years (60% female) were assessed for AMD (2003-2007). Mortality data to December 31, 2012 were obtained through linkage with the National Death Index. Associations were assessed using Cox regression, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, region of birth, education, physical activity, diet and alcohol.ResultsLate AMD was identified in 122 (0.6%) participants, including those with choroidal neovascularisation (n=55, 0.3%), geographic atrophy (n=87, 0.4%) and reticular pseudodrusen (n=87, 0.4%). After a median follow-up period of 8.1 years, 1669 (8%) participants had died, including those from cardiovascular diseases (386), tobacco-related cancers (179), and neurodegenerative disease (157). There was evidence of an increased rate of all-cause mortality for those with choroidal neovascularisation (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.71 95% CI 1.06-2.76) and geographic atrophy (HR 1.46 95% CI 0.99-2.16). Choroidal neovascularisation was also associated with an increased rate of cardiovascular mortality (HR 3.16 95% CI 1.62-6.15) and geographic atrophy was associated with an increased rate of death from tobacco-related cancer (HR 2.86 95% CI 1.15-7.09). Weak evidence was also present for an association between choroidal neovascularisation and death from neurodegenerative disease (HR 2.49 95% CI 0.79-7.85). Neither reticular pseudodrusen nor the earlier stages of AMD were associated with mortality.ConclusionsLate AMD is associated with an increased rate of all-cause mortality. Choroidal neovascularisation and geographic atrophy were associated with death from cardiovascular disease and tobacco-related cancer, respectively.