Preparation of polyvinyl alcohol film reinforced with cellulose nanocrystal from Moringa oleifera (Malunggay) stalks

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films are biodegradable and biocompatible polymers which can be used for biomedical applications. In this study, Cellulose were extracted from malunggay stalks and the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were then isolated via sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The isolated CNCs were then reinforced in PVA films. The reported percent extraction of cellulose from the malunggay stalks was 20.31 (±13.8) % and the percent isolation of CNCs was 9.14 (±2.73)%. FTIR spectroscopy was used to monitor the chemical changes for each stage of treatment. The prepared CNCs reinforced PVA films were subjected for antimicrobial testing and the results showed bacterial growth on the film. The produced films are promising materials for its biocompatible properties that can be used for biomedical application