Transformation of banana peel into biodegradable film added with starch and carboxymethyl cellulose and its characterization

Synthetic polymers are non-biodegradable in nature and lead to serious environmental as well as health problems. A biodegradable material can be a good replacer for commercial Synthetic plastics. The development of banana peel-based biodegradable film is a good source to utilize food processing waste. The biodegradable film was prepared using banana peel paste (BPP), corn starch (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% w/w of BPP), carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (15% of corn starch) and glycerol as a plasticizer. The films were developed by casting the suspension on petri dishes fallowed by drying. The mechanical, thermal, and barrier characteristics of dried films were characterized. The films moisture content, thickness, WVP, solubility, tensile strength, elongation, and biodegradability were in the range of 31.807-33.241%, 0.211-0.318 mm, 1.668-2.948 g mm/d/m2/kPa, 31.269-36.105 %, 0.825-1.158 MPa, 18.976-25.516 %, 65.034-70.002 % respectively. The film with 0.5 % of starch has been found to enhance the tensile strength (1.158 MPa). With an increase in starch content, the film becomes more permeable to water vapor and more soluble. The film was successfully developed and has good biodegradability and acceptable properties. Banana peel-based films might become a significant player in the food packaging industry in the future, helping to reduce the usage of paper and plastic bags.