In the present investigation, human hair reinforced soy protein isolate (SPI)-based green composites modified with 40 wt.% phytagel and 12.5 wt.% glycerol were developed. Characterization of the prepared composites was done through water absorption, tensile test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Composites having 2 wt.% of human hair fiber gave the optimum results for the tensile test. At 2 wt.% of human hair composition maximum tensile strength 17.23 MPa was obtained whereas the tensile strength of neat SPI was 8.54 MPa. SEM images show the interfacial bonding between human hair fiber and SPI resin and gave the clear explanation of the change in tensile strength and water absorption %. Chitosan coating was applied to fabricated composites to reduce water uptake. Chitosan coated sample showed considerable improvement in tensile strength, water uptake and glass transition temperature.

Today there are increasing demands for the use of environmental friendly materials that are biodegradable and can replace petroleum based synthetic polymers. Non degradability and environmentally hazardous nature of plastics and some composites are the main problems as plastic waste disposal management become a great challenge due to the unavailability of free land for solid waste disposal in regions of high population density [1]. Therefore scientists have focused their research on using materials from nature because of its biodegradability. Green composites are specific class of biocomposites, where a bio-based polymer matrix is reinforced by natural fibers. Synthetic plastics can be replaced by green composite products which make the environment free of plastic wastes. Soy protein has attracted great research interest for the development of environment friendly protein materials with potentially good properties, such as regeneration, biocompatibility, biodegradability, etc. [2-6]. In addition to its use as a food ingredient, nonfood applications of soy protein as polymeric materials have attracted increasing attention in recent years. Soy protein based composites show potential applications for housing, transportation and rigid packaging. Many researches on forming plastic and composites from soy protein resin were carried out [7-9]. Soy protein resins have been used to fabricate green composites for many applications such as hydrogels, adhesives, plastics, films, coatings and emulsifiers, and it has also been reported as a promising material for biotechnological and biomedical utilization. COMPOSITION OF SOY PROTEIN Soy protein is made from soybean that has been dehulled and deffated. Soybean contains roughly 18-20% oil, 40-45% protein, 25-30% carbohydrate, and 3% ash [10]. Soy proteins are complex macromolecules composed of amino acids such as cystine, arginine, lysine, hystidine, etc. which can be used for inter or intra molecular interaction as amino acids have many active sites available for molecular interaction [11]. Soy proteins are mostly globulin, with the 7S and 11S fractions representing 37% and 31% respectively, of the total extractable protein [12]. Soybean protein is commercially available in form of defatted soy flour (DSF), soy protein concentrate (SPC) and soy protein isolate (SPI). After soybeans are dehulled and the oil is extracted, the remaining protein and carbohydrate meal is ground into soy flour (SF) containing roughly 56% protein and 34% carbohydrate and is the least expensive of the three products. Soy protein concentrate (SPC) is produced by leaching out the water/alcohol-soluble carbohydrates from soy flour to obtain a product with 65-ABSTRACT Natural polymers can be obtained from natural resources such as plants, animals etc. Natural polymers are easily decomposable, ecofriendly, sustainable, low cost and help us to reduce the pollution. Soy protein is one of the most easily available biodegradable polymers. However there are some drawbacks such as low water resistance and mechan...