Development of Biodegradable Films from Carrot, Guava, and Banana Peel Fibers for Environmental Packaging Applications

Polymeric materials, known for their lightweight and strength, are widely used today. However, their non-biodegradable nature poses significant environmental challenges. This research aimed to develop biodegradable films from fruits and vegetables, using alginate as a binding agent. Using a completely randomized design, seven experimental sets were prepared with carrots, Kimju guava, and Namwa banana peel fibers as the primary materials and alginate as the secondary material at three levels: 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4 by weight. The solution technique was employed to create the samples. Upon testing mechanical and physical properties, experimental set 3, consisting of 60% guava and 1.8% alginate, emerged as the optimal ratio. This combination exhibited favorable physical properties, including a thickness of 0.26 ± 0.02 mm, meeting the standards for food packaging films. Additionally, the tensile strength was 0.50 ± 0.01 N/m², and the elongation at break was 55.60 ± 0.44%. Regarding chemical properties, the moisture content of 5.64 ± 0.03% fell within the acceptable range for dried food. Furthermore, a 30-day soil burial test revealed that the sample from experimental set 3 exhibited the highest degradation rate. In conclusion, these findings suggest that guava can be a promising raw material for producing biodegradable plastics suitable for packaging applications.