Interaction-driven modification of agar-based biodegradable films using Carpobrotus glaucescens phytochemical extracts

Interaction-driven modification of agar-based biodegradable films using Carpobrotus glaucescens phytochemical extracts | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Interaction-driven modification of agar-based biodegradable films using Carpobrotus glaucescens phytochemical extracts Rishi Ravindra Naik, Que Trinh Tran, Muhammad Bin Zia, Cordelia Selomulya This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9453943/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 16 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Agar-based films are promising biodegradable materials, but their inherent brittleness and high moisture sensitivity limit practical use. In this study, a phytochemical extract from the Australian halophyte Carpobrotus glaucescens was investigated as a modifier of agar films, based on its richness in hydroxyl-functionalised polyphenols and low-molecular-weight carbohydrates that can interact with polysaccharide chains and influence network structure. Chemical characterisation (CHNS, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and LC-MS) confirmed the presence of these hydroxyl-rich constituents capable of intermolecular interactions with agar. Incorporation of the extract significantly altered film behaviour; at an agar-to-extract ratio of 1:20 (w/v), tensile strength increased by 38% and elongation at break increased to 23% relative to the control, while water vapour permeability decreased from 2.91 × 10⁻¹¹ to 1.26 × 10⁻¹¹ g/m²·s·Pa (p < 0.05). These improvements were associated with a denser microstructure and enhanced network cohesion. At higher extract loadings, aggregation of phytochemical constituents disrupted matrix continuity and reduced mechanical performance, indicating a non-linear response governed by the balance between intermolecular interactions and phase separation. At intermediate levels, hydrogen bonding and increased chain mobility produced a more cohesive and flexible network, while excessive loading led to self-association and structural discontinuities. Despite these improvements, the films remained highly water-soluble due to the hydrophilic nature of the system. These findings demonstrate that phytochemical extracts act as concentration-dependent modifiers rather than linear additives, defining a compositional window for optimising structure-property relationships in bio-based polymer films. Agar film phytochemical extract concentration-dependent behaviour polyphenols biodegradable materials moisture sensitivity Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Supplementaryinformation.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 18 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 06 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 05 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 03 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 29 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 27 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 19 Apr, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 19 Apr, 2026 First submitted to journal 17 Apr, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9453943","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":634998685,"identity":"01ac6fd7-43f6-4f83-b552-bbf94acc7f7f","order_by":0,"name":"Rishi Ravindra Naik","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAyklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYLCChAM2UBYb8VrSSNXCcOAwCVrMG3gPfnhw5nzidv4zBgwfyg4z8M9IwK9F5gBfskTCjduJO2fkGDDOOHeYQeIGAS0SDDwGEgkfbiduuMG7gZm3DehCIrQY/0j4cC5xw/mzG5j/ArXIE6HFDOiwA4kbDuRuYGYEajEgqIWZx8wi4Uyy8YYb+R8O9pxL5zE884CAFvYe45s/jtnJbjh/LPHBjzJrObnjBGxhYEZiHwBiHgLqR8EoGAWjYBQQAwBFREca2EJHwAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"UNSW Sydney","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rishi","middleName":"Ravindra","lastName":"Naik","suffix":""},{"id":634998686,"identity":"3fe942b9-1317-4163-8c27-808cc6868dac","order_by":1,"name":"Que Trinh Tran","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UNSW Sydney","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Que","middleName":"Trinh","lastName":"Tran","suffix":""},{"id":634998687,"identity":"bf14b024-1265-4583-b27d-c876ffb57264","order_by":2,"name":"Muhammad Bin Zia","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UNSW Sydney","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhammad","middleName":"Bin","lastName":"Zia","suffix":""},{"id":634998688,"identity":"f0004204-288d-4f8f-ae7a-52ca1ed8d7b7","order_by":3,"name":"Cordelia Selomulya","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UNSW Sydney","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Cordelia","middleName":"","lastName":"Selomulya","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-04-18 04:09:35","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9453943/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9453943/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":108806448,"identity":"226024ad-5a7d-4479-b406-643e17a2b2eb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-08 15:28:36","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":899475,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"NaiketalManuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9453943/v1_covered_10dc8b26-61a9-42fc-91c6-f9bded2d5869.pdf"},{"id":108638598,"identity":"9f6dc7ea-ad96-4e4b-8699-40a50816bcab","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-06 18:51:45","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":980369,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Supplementaryinformation.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9453943/v1/af1ae2bbaf5ef36b47062259.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Interaction-driven modification of agar-based biodegradable films using Carpobrotus glaucescens phytochemical extracts","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-polymers-and-the-environment","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jooe","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Polymers and the Environment](https://www.springer.com/journal/10924)","snPcode":"10924","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10924/3","title":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Agar film, phytochemical extract, concentration-dependent behaviour, polyphenols, biodegradable materials, moisture sensitivity","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9453943/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9453943/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eAgar-based films are promising biodegradable materials, but their inherent brittleness and high moisture sensitivity limit practical use. In this study, a phytochemical extract from the Australian halophyte \u003cem\u003eCarpobrotus glaucescens\u003c/em\u003e was investigated as a modifier of agar films, based on its richness in hydroxyl-functionalised polyphenols and low-molecular-weight carbohydrates that can interact with polysaccharide chains and influence network structure. Chemical characterisation (CHNS, FT-IR, \u0026sup1;H NMR and LC-MS) confirmed the presence of these hydroxyl-rich constituents capable of intermolecular interactions with agar. Incorporation of the extract significantly altered film behaviour; at an agar-to-extract ratio of 1:20 (w/v), tensile strength increased by 38% and elongation at break increased to 23% relative to the control, while water vapour permeability decreased from 2.91 \u0026times; 10⁻\u0026sup1;\u0026sup1; to 1.26 \u0026times; 10⁻\u0026sup1;\u0026sup1; g/m\u0026sup2;\u0026middot;s\u0026middot;Pa (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). These improvements were associated with a denser microstructure and enhanced network cohesion. At higher extract loadings, aggregation of phytochemical constituents disrupted matrix continuity and reduced mechanical performance, indicating a non-linear response governed by the balance between intermolecular interactions and phase separation. At intermediate levels, hydrogen bonding and increased chain mobility produced a more cohesive and flexible network, while excessive loading led to self-association and structural discontinuities. Despite these improvements, the films remained highly water-soluble due to the hydrophilic nature of the system. These findings demonstrate that phytochemical extracts act as concentration-dependent modifiers rather than linear additives, defining a compositional window for optimising structure-property relationships in bio-based polymer films.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Interaction-driven modification of agar-based biodegradable films using Carpobrotus glaucescens phytochemical extracts","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-05-06 18:51:41","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9453943/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-18T08:34:47+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-06T04:36:28+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-05T18:19:25+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-03T07:23:37+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-29T12:37:56+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"198950916220669090815625101163197396107","date":"2026-04-28T14:35:14+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-27T16:33:41+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"243777281820757819568684909706572301347","date":"2026-04-27T15:39:52+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"327035584843742104354389778638438175295","date":"2026-04-27T13:55:51+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"124417358120798924483854901272381286623","date":"2026-04-27T13:05:15+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"33311717554604597445117316437457868320","date":"2026-04-27T12:57:00+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"181586357925730294946725143535976052912","date":"2026-04-27T12:18:44+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-04-27T12:00:29+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-04-20T02:29:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-04-20T02:28:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","date":"2026-04-18T03:55:41+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-polymers-and-the-environment","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jooe","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Polymers and the Environment](https://www.springer.com/journal/10924)","snPcode":"10924","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10924/3","title":"Journal of Polymers and the Environment","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"96294d1b-7c1c-4788-90ff-3c7475f4f9d8","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 6th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-18T08:34:47+00:00","index":31,"fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-06T04:36:28+00:00","index":30,"fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-05T18:19:25+00:00","index":29,"fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-03T07:23:37+00:00","index":28,"fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-29T12:37:56+00:00","index":27,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-06T18:51:41+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-05-06 18:51:41","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9453943","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9453943","identity":"rs-9453943","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}