Synthesis and Characterization of Starch-Based Bioplastics Derived from Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Peels and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (Elaeis guineensis)

The pervasive environmental pollution from conventional plastics necessitates the development of sustainable alternatives. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of starch-based bioplastics using agro-waste feedstocks: starch extracted from cassava peels and cellulose derived from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB). Ten bioplastic variants were fabricated by varying the concentrations of cellulose (0-50% w/w) and glycerol (0-50% v/w as plasticizer), while maintaining a constant starch-to-water ratio (25g:100ml). The materials were characterized for their physico-mechanical and biodegradation properties. Results demonstrated that cellulose acts as a reinforcing agent, increasing tensile strength (from 3.7 MPa to 12.1 MPa) and Young's modulus (from 40 MPa to 240 MPa) while reducing water absorption (from 37.3% to 23.3%) and biodegradation (from 84.7% to 55.3% over 30 days). Conversely, glycerol enhanced flexibility and elongation at break but increased hydrophilicity and degradation rate. A strong positive correlation (R² = 0.89) was observed between water absorption and biodegradation, indicating that moisture content governs the degradation process. The findings confirm the viability of valorizing cassava peels and OPEFB into tunable bioplastics, offering a promising pathway for waste-to-wealth conversion and reducing plastic pollution.