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Potential Use of Maguey Bagasse as a Filler for Bioplastic Development and Analysis of Its Application as Plastic Mulch
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Scientists turned agave plant waste—the fibrous leftovers from making tequila and mezcal—into a biodegradable plastic-like material that could replace the plastic sheeting farmers use to cover soil (called plastic mulch). Regular plastic mulch breaks down into microplastics that build up in soil and can end up in our food and water, so this plant-based alternative could help reduce that contamination while also giving farmers a use for agricultural waste. This is early-stage research showing the material works, but more testing is needed before it replaces plastic on actual farms.
The generation of agro-industrial residues represents an environmental challenge and an opportunity for their valorization within a circular economy framework. In this study, Agave salmiana bagasse residues were evaluated as a reinforcing material for developing bioplastics made from maize starch (polymer matrix). Maguey bagasse was collected, ground and sieved to particle sizes below 200 μm and incorporated into bioplastic formulations at different content levels. Five bioplastic films (M1–M5) were obtained and characterized regarding their physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. The evaluated parameters included density, color (CIE Lab*), moisture content, water absorption, FTIR analysis, tensile properties, thermal behavior, and surface morphology via SEM. The results showed significant differences among the bioplastic formulations. The moisture content ranged from 7.15% to 10.57%, while water absorption after 24 h reached values of up to 65% for the formulation with the highest bagasse content. Mechanical and thermal analyses indicated that the incorporation of maguey bagasse influenced the structural performance of the bioplastics, while SEM observations revealed changes in surface morphology associated with fiber incorporation. These findings demonstrate the potential of A. salmiana bagasse as a reinforcing agent in starch-based bioplastics, contributing to the development of sustainable materials. The results support their potential as a biodegradable material with exploratory application in an agricultural system.
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The Effect of the Addition of Maguey Bagasse in the Production of Bioplastics Based on Corn and Potato Starch
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