Evaluation of Jute Packages treated using Chitosan Nanoparticles/Neem Leaves Extract

Improvement of people’s living standards and need for environmental protection, the demand for natural biodegradable and ecofriendly fibers is rising worldwide day-by-day. Ligno cellulosic natural fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal and jute are an interesting, environmentally friendly. Jute bags were improved by the treatment with different particle sizes of nano chitosan suspensions (20, 67, 93, and 130 nm) and the blend of Neem leaves extract/starch to be used as anti-insect packages for agriculture crops storage. The rheological properties of different coating solution that is used for treatment of Jute, all samples exhibited non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior. Water vapor permeability (WVP), water absorption and tensile strength, were determined for all treated jute bags. The results observed that jute bags treated with nano-chitosan and Neem leaves extract /starch blends affects the properties of jute bags. Tensile strength increased as concentration of neem extract increased for jute packages treated with nano-chitosan suspension. Water vapor permeability of jute bags treated with the blend of neem extract/starch was higher than water vapor permeability of control jute bags.