Using Aloe Vera powder (AV) at varying concentrations - 1, 2, and 3% - polylactic acid/aloe vera (PLA/AV) composite films were prepared using the solvent casting process. All of the composites were exposed to 10, 25, and 40 kGy of electron beam (EB) radiation. It was examined how the thermal and mechanical characteristics of PLA/AV films were affected by electron beam radiation. XRD, FTIR, TGA, and biodegradation (soil burial) were used to analyze the irradiation films' characteristics. The findings showed that doses up to 25 kGy increased the neat PLA's tensile strength (TS). At lower doses up to 10 kGy, the addition of AV raises the TS values (particularly at 2% concentration). It appears adding varying proportions of AV powder enhances the thermal stability of PLA/AV composites. Biodegradability showed that films with AV were the most biodegradable, while those without AV were the least.

In this research, Aloe Vera Gel (AVG) was incorporated into Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) with jute-cotton union fabric to fabricate partially biodegradable composites. These composites were fabricated using a hand lay-up technique and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), thermal conductivity measurements, water absorption tests, degradation assessments, cracking tests, and Universal Testing Machine (UTM) analysis. The study found that increasing the percentage of AVG in the composites led to a decrease in thermal conductivity, indicating improved insulation properties. Samples reinforced with AVG showed enhanced resistance to damage from iron nails, with reduced scratching and fiber displacement observed. However, the addition of AVG resulted in decreased thermal, mechanical, and water resistance properties compared to composites without AVG. FTIR analysis demonstrated interactions between AVG and the matrix materials. In degradation tests, composites subjected to an alkali environment (PH = 11.96) showed the highest weight reduction (2.22 %) compared to those without AVG. Similarly, composites buried in soil exhibited greater weight loss (2.38 %) than their counterparts lacking AVG. Overall, the developed composite's reduced heat transfer rate suggests its potential application as an insulating material in environments such as rural poultry housing and the automotive industry.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of Aloe vera gel as a plasticizer and crosslinker in improving the properties of starch-polyvinyl alcohol blends that could find applications in packaging. The concentration of Aloe vera gel was varied (1%, 3%, 5% and 7% wt/wt) to produce SPA-1, SPA-3, SPA-5 and SPA-7 films, respectively. The plasticizing and crosslinking characteristics associated with Aloe vera gel had a positive influence on the mechanical properties of the films. Addition of Aloe vera gel increased the tensile strength of films from 27.45 MPa (control) to 32.98, 32.53 and 32.32, for SPA-1, SPA-3 and SPA-5 films, respectively. Among all the films, highest elongation at break (20.62%) was observed for SPA-3 films. Due to crosslinking, degree of swelling, water solubility and water vapour permeability for SPA-3 films decreased by 5.58%, 38.29% and 21.44%, respectively, compared to control films. The contact angle of the SPA-3 film significantly increased by 49.25% when compared to control samples. Scanning electron microscope images revealed compact and smooth surface microstructure of control films, and crosslinking was evident in presence of Aloe vera gel. The rate of degradation for SPA-3 films in soil after 40 days was enhanced by 32.25% compared to control films. SPA-1 and SPA-3 films were tested for use as packaging material for storage of green chillies. Chillies under unpacked conditions, in control and SPA-1 films, turned red in 3 days. Those stored in films with 3% Aloe vera gel began to change colour later (after 5 days) with no visual evidence of microbial or fungal growth. In summary, starch-polyvinyl alcohol matrix films with 3% Aloe vera gel (SPA-3) were effective as a sustainable alternative in increasing shelf life of foodstuff.