VALORISATION OF Solanum tuberosum AND Musa paradisiaca PEEL WASTE INTO FUNCTIONAL BIOPLASTIC

Abstract

The aim of this study is to synthesize high intensity, flexible bioplastic by upcycling commercial chip industry waste peels of Musa paradisiaca and Solanum tuberosum as a eco- friendly alternative to petroleum based plastics. The chips-industrial waste, banana peels, and potato peel waste generated in huge amounts, every year and are rich in starch. Firstly, the peels from raw Musa paradisiaca and Solanum tuberosum are chopped and dried, ground into fine powdered form, and dissolved them into an alkaline solution used bio-based binding agents for casting. Allow dried our sheets in oven for overnight at 50-70°C. This experiment used glycerol as a plasticiser to increase its flexibility and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) for degrading lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, and other complex polymers in plant biomass. Further, addition of Sodium alginate along with glycerol and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a binding agent enhances the overall flexibility of the material . It showed heat resistance, water resistance and microbial growth resistance properties to a greater extent. The blending and nanostructure is investigated and confirmed by FTIR Spectroscopy. The study proves that a combination of Raw Banana peels, which are rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, polyphenol and pectin, leads to high flexibility and elongation. Whereas potato peels, which contain starch like amylose and amylopectin contribute towards high tensile strength and elasticity. This project is support the India’s Mission 2047 by promoting the waste valorisation and sustainable materials development under the framework of green technology as it recycling food waste into a valuable product biodegradable bioplastic.