Development of 100% Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin from Pineapple Leaf Fiber with Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

The necessity for the development of 100% biodegradable sanitary napkin is increasing as the earth is moving towards safer, sustainable, and eco-friendly planet. As the number of patients with cervical cancer and other reproductive tract infections are increasing day by day, it is necessary to implant organic and hygienic products on day to day basis. This is a safe and sufficient approach. The development of completely natural biodegradable sanitary napkin using retted pineapple fiber is considered as a negative cost. The composition of PALF have proved it is biodegradable within 3 days of exposure to soil. The blending of PALF with cotton has increased the properties of fiber such as moisture absorption. This PALF-cotton blend will act as the outer core of napkin. The development of aloe vera alginate hydrogel paid way to a new natural product. Aloe vera and alginate both are derived from plant source. Both have anti-microbial properties. The hydrogel is prepared by internal gelification method. The hydrogel prepared is considered to be the super absorbing polymer (SAP). This prepared SAP will absorb large amount of moisture and at the same time have tremendous antimicrobial property. In order to increase the antimicrobial property, curcumin is extracted from turmeric. This is an antibiotic pigment. Thus, the presence of this gel will increase the long lifeless usage of sanitary napkins. The bottom layer of sanitary napkins is made up of bioplastic dextrin instead of polyethene used in other sanitary napkins. Thus, to increase the strength of sanitary napkins, CaO nanoparticle is added. The sanitary napkin assembled with these components is of minimal cost and it is ecofriendly and sustainable. The usage of bioplastic dextrin implemented with cellulose based paper gives the final touch to 100% biodegradable sanitary napkins.