Development of Biodegradable Films from Carrot, Guava, and Banana Peel Fibers for Environmental Packaging Applications

Abstract

Polymeric materials, known for their lightweight and strength, are widely used today. However, their non-biodegradable nature poses significant environmental challenges. This research aimed to develop biodegradable films from fruits and vegetables, using alginate as a binding agent. Using a completely randomized design, seven experimental sets were prepared with carrots, Kimju guava, and Namwa banana peel fibers as the primary materials and alginate as the secondary material at three levels: 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4 by weight. The solution technique was employed to create the samples. Upon testing mechanical and physical properties, experimental set 3, consisting of 60% guava and 1.8% alginate, emerged as the optimal ratio. This combination exhibited favorable physical properties, including a thickness of 0.26 ± 0.02 mm, meeting the standards for food packaging films. Additionally, the tensile strength was 0.50 ± 0.01 N/m², and the elongation at break was 55.60 ± 0.44%. Regarding chemical properties, the moisture content of 5.64 ± 0.03% fell within the acceptable range for dried food. Furthermore, a 30-day soil burial test revealed that the sample from experimental set 3 exhibited the highest degradation rate. In conclusion, these findings suggest that guava can be a promising raw material for producing biodegradable plastics suitable for packaging applications.