Development of Sustainable Bioplastic Composite Films from Cocoa Pod Husk Waste Cellulose and Kappa-Carrageenan

Cocoa pod husk (CPH), typically considered agricultural waste, contains cellulose suitable for bioplastic production, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic plastics. Its reinforcement with kappacarrageenan is designed to improve the properties of cellulose-based bioplastics while reducing agricultural waste. This study evaluates the effects of cellulose from CPH waste and kappa-carrageenan formulations on bioplastic properties. The cellulose was isolated through a delignification and bleaching process, while the bioplastics were prepared by varying the ratios of cellulose and kappa-carrageenan in six different formulations. The resulting films were evaluated for their physical, mechanical, and barrier properties, as well as their stability and biodegradability. The ratio of cellulose to kappacarrageenan significantly impacts the films' properties. Significant improvements in tensile strength were observed in P5 (2 g cellulose, 8 g kappa-carrageenan) and P6 (10 g kappa-carrageenan), increasing by 79% and 240%, respectively, as the cellulose concentration decreased and kappa-carrageenan increased. However, the significant drawback in barrier properties was found in water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), with the higher kappa-carrageenan and lower cellulose concentrations films resulting in increased WVTR values by 13% (P5) and 17% (P6). The bioplastic with P1 (8 g cellulose, (4 g cellulose, 6 g carrageenan) formulations completely degraded in 3 weeks, while those with higher kappa-carrageenan content degraded faster, with P5 completely degrading in 2 weeks and P6 in 1 week. This study implies a potential reduction in environmental impact by replacing conventional plastics with the development of biodegradable materials derived from agricultural waste and promoting sustainable