FABRICATION OF BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS USING SODIUM ALGINATE AND TAMARIND SEED POWDER

Abstract

The fashion industry is a major polluter due to synthetic fabrics that persist in landfills for centuries. This study explored sodium alginate, a biodegradable polymer from seaweed, combined with tamarind seed powder (TSP), to create sustainable biofilms for textiles. By incorporating natural flower extracts—Hibiscus for pH sensitivity, Marigold for UV protection, and Rose for antioxidant activity—the films have value added from the eco-friendly colouration and functional properties. These biofilms not only degrade safely without leaving dangers on the use of microplastics but also merge sustainability with aesthetics, offering a step towards responsible innovation.