Preparation and characterization of starch-based bioplastics extracted from agro-industrial waste seeds

Abstract

For several decades, petroleum-derived plastics have been widely used in the industry and commerce due to their flexible characteristics and affordable cost. However, growing environmental awareness has revealed issues such as the slow degradation of these plastics and the resulting pollution from improper disposal. The search for biodegradable alternatives has gained prominence, promoting the adoption of plastics derived from renewable sources capable of naturally decomposing. In this context, starch stands out as a promising source for biodegradable plastics, thanks to its renewable origin, biodegradation capacity, and economic versatility. The challenge of creating films solely from starch, due to its lack of malleability and fragility, requires the addition of additives in polymeric matrices. The inclusion of plasticizers is essential to overcome rigidity, improving the mechanical properties of the films. In this context, this study aims to produce films using starch from jackfruit, mango, and avocado seeds, with glycerol as the plasticizer. Starch extraction from the seeds was carried out with water. The casting method was employed for the production of all films, with a drying temperature of 40 °C for 24 hours. Based on the analyses conducted in this work, it was possible to conclude that the produced bioplastics did not show significant differences in their physical and chemical structures, as observed in the FTIR analysis, where all films exhibited the same functional groups. The SEM analysis revealed that the film surfaces exhibited similar morphologies.