Development, Optimization and Biochemical Characterization of Bioplastic Films from Cassava Peels and False Yam Tubers Starch

Abstract

The leaching of harmful chemicals from conventional plastics food packaging, into foods and their gradual accumulation in the living systems, has intensified concerns the use of plastics and its waste management control protocol. Their environmental persistence poses serious ricks to human health, environmental safety and aquatic. Therefore, study was set out to explored the development and analysis of starch extracted from cassava Manihot esculenta peels and false yam Icacina trichantha tubers to synthesize bioplastic films (C0, F0 and CF0) and reinforced with 2.5% bleached fibre from bamboo stem (C2.5, F2.5 and CF2.5). The films were formed using glycerol as a plasticizer through solution casting technique. The developed films were analyzed for water barrier properties, mechanical, thermal, biochemical, and soil degradability. The incorporation of fibre into the starch matrices for bioplastic formulation significantly reduced the percentage of water absorption at 30, 40, 50 and 60oC, while percentage water absorption increased as temperature increased. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and percentage elongation decreased on the addition of fibre reinforcement, with C0 had the highest ultimate tensile strength (4.85 ± 0.12 MPa) while CF2.5 had the lowest (2.13 ± 0.28 MPa), CF0 had the highest percentage elongation (22.22 ± 0.20%) while (CF2.5) had the lowest (11.19 ± 0.32%). Film opacity increased with the addition of fibre reinforcement. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding occurred between glycerol and the two samples of starch extract and plasticizer. The synthesized bioplastic films showed similar thermal behaviour. The cross-sectional micrographs revealed that the films containing cassava peel starch showed higher homogeneity than films with false yam. The Gas chromatography mass spectrometer GC-MS analysis revealed high content of oleic acid which impacted on the structural integrity of synthesized bioplastic films. The degradation by films decreased with the addition of fibre reinforcement, C0 had the highest degradation (43.52 ± 0.01%) at the 60 days. The findings of this research provide insights into the development of biodegradable medical products and food packaging bioplastic films.