Mango Seed Kernel Starch: Assessing the Compatibility and Biodegradability of a Promising Renewable Feedstock for Packaging Materials

Abstract

The rapid growth of plastic packaging has intensified environmental pressures linked to persistence, littering, and complex end-of-life management. Among bio-based alternatives, starch remains attractive due to renewability, film-forming capacity, and broad biodegradability; however, conventional food-grade starch supply chains can compete with food uses. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) processing generates substantial kernel waste, and the seed kernel is notably starch-rich, positioning mango seed kernel starch (MSKS) as a non-conventional, renewable feedstock for packaging materials. This review critically evaluates MSKS with a particular focus on compatibility—within starch matrices and when combined with common modifiers, co-biopolymers, and biodegradable polyesters—and on biodegradability across realistic end-of-life contexts. Evidence indicates that MSKS can form coherent films and coatings, yet its intrinsic hydrophilicity and tendency towards retrogradation restrict moisture barrier performance and dimensional stability. Strategies including plasticisation, blending with gums or hydrophobic derivatives, and reactive compatibilisation in starch–polyester blends can improve mechanical integrity and processability. Biodegradation outcomes depend strongly on material architecture, thickness, and composting or soil conditions; starch-rich phases typically mineralise early, while polyester-rich fractions may persist longer and can yield residues under field conditions. The review concludes that MSKS is technically promising for selected packaging formats, provided that formulation and processing are explicitly aligned with targeted service environments and locally available end-of-life routes.