The synergy of maize straw cellulose and sugarcane bagasse fibre on the characteristics of bioplastic packaging film

This study investigated the effect of cellulose from maize straw and fibre from sugarcane bagasse on the production and characteristics of bioplastic films. Bioplastic films were developed based on varying ratios of cellulose to fibre, including 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100. The bioplastics' physical, mechanical, biological, thermal, and Fourier Transform Infrared properties were evaluated. The findings depicted a ratio of 75:25 as the best bioplastic film with desirable characteristics for food packaging. This bioplastic (75:25) was slightly moist and had the lowest water absorption (33 %), low moisture content (16 %), lowest water vapour permeability (0.14 g mm/h m² mmHg), highest tensile strength (3.8 MPa), and highest soil biodegradability potential. The bioplastic also exhibited good thermal gravimetric properties which are essential if the bioplastic is to be used for packaging food. The study highlights the potential of using agricultural residues to create sustainable packaging material.