Pineapple shell fiber as reinforcement in cassava starch foam trays

Abstract

Pineapple shell, considered a waste in the juice industry, was used as a reinforcement material to produce biodegradable foam trays (FTs) based on cassava starch by a compression molding process. These foams were prepared with different starch/fiber ratios and then were characterized according to their microstructure and physical and mechanical properties. The starch/fiber ratio of 95/5 showed the lowest values of thickness and density (2.58 mm and 367 kg m−3, respectively). There was a good distribution of the pineapple shell fiber throughout the polymeric matrix. All FTs showed a semicrystalline structure and 95/5 ratio showed the highest crystallinity index (CI) value (39%). In addition, this ratio improved the tensile strength of the FTs, obtaining similar values to expanded polystyrene (EPS) samples, used as the reference material. Nevertheless, all FTs reinforced with pineapple shell fiber showed high water absorption capacity (WAC); therefore, future studies should focus on to improve the physicochemical and structural properties of the cassava starch-based foams, considering the promising potential of this novel biodegradable material for dry food packaging, such as a viable alternative to reduce the use of petroleum-based materials such as commercial EPS trays.

Applications of Plant Polymer-Based Solid Foams: Current Trends in the Food Industry

“…An increase in the fiber concentration weakened interactions among starch chains due to a lower proportion of starch in the composites. Based on the results above, the cassava starch-based foams might be a promising biodegradable material to be used for solid food packaging, and future research should focus on the improvement of their physicochemical and structural properties [59].…”

Tensile Properties of Natural Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite Foams: A Systematic Review

“…Good natural fibre can reduce the cohesive forces and brittleness and lessen the tension [6]. However, at high concentration of natural fibre, the ability to expand was affected and encourage discontinuity in the polymer matrix results in less mechanically resistant [6]. Thus, this study will describe the tensile properties of natural fibre reinforced from polymer composite foam.…”

“…The environmental problem generates include air pollution from burning of petroleum-based plastic and their resistance to biodegrade naturally [6]. Apart of the environmental problem, the feedstocks of petroleum that are not renewable and the increasing rate of non-biodegradable plastics disposal have attracted many researchers to explore on the potential of biodegradable plastics [7].…”

“…The byproducts such as corn stalk, leaves and fruit peels remain unused and dispose as the waste normally contain 31% to 61% of cellulose. Several studies show that the use of natural fibres reinforced can increase the mechanical and physical properties of packaging based on the starch for example the bagasse of sugarcane fibre [6]. It was reported that with addition of natural fibres in the starch-based foam can reduce rigidity, improve the elongation and increase the chance of biodegradation of the composites.…”

“…It was reported that with addition of natural fibres in the starch-based foam can reduce rigidity, improve the elongation and increase the chance of biodegradation of the composites. Good natural fibre can reduce the cohesive forces and brittleness and lessen the tension [6]. However, at high concentration of natural fibre, the ability to expand was affected and encourage discontinuity in the polymer matrix results in less mechanically resistant [6].…”