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Utilization of coffee pulp for the development of active biodegradable films with antioxidant properties
Summary
Scientists turned coffee pulp, a leftover byproduct from processing coffee beans, into a natural additive for biodegradable food packaging, replacing some of the synthetic plastic we normally use. The coffee pulp is packed with antioxidants, so it made the packaging stronger and better at fighting off spoilage, though it did make the material a bit less flexible and less resistant to moisture. This matters because it offers a plant-based alternative to plastic wrap that could reduce both plastic waste and our everyday exposure to synthetic packaging materials, while also giving coffee farms a new use for waste that would otherwise
Plastic pollution and the accumulation of agricultural waste are two environmental problems. Coffee pulp, one of the most common and underutilized byproducts of the coffee process, is rich in antioxidants and can be used as a functional additive for biodegradable films. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of coffee pulp extract at different concentrations [1, 5, and 10% w/v] on alginate films. The results showed that adding the extract had significant effects [p < 0.05] on color and moisture content; barrier properties and elongation decreased, while tensile strength and antioxidant capacity increased with increasing coffee pulp extract content. SEM analysis revealed a rough surface. This biotechnological innovation offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic plastic and adds value to the coffee value chain.