Potato starch bioplastic films reinforced with organic and inorganic fillers: A sustainable packaging alternative

The bioplastics have increased the demand against synthetic plastics for their non-toxic properties. This study focused on the effects of organic filler (charcoal), inorganic metal filler (aluminium metal powder), and inorganic salt filler (calcium sulfate) on potato starch-based bioplastic films. CH-F (charcoal containing-film), AMP-F (aluminium metal powder containing-film), and CS-F (calcium sulfate containing-film) were produced and analyzed mechanical (tensile strength, elongation at break) physical (thickness and density), thermal (TGA and DSC) and biodegradation properties of bioplastic. The various properties analysis results revealed the highest tensile strength of 29.91 MPa, moisture content of 6.79 %, and moisture absorption of 60.59 %, was observed in AMP-F. The FTIR spectra of the O-H, N-H, C-H, and C-C groups present in the bioplastic can enhance the tensile strength of the bioplastic. The bioplastic film surface morphology (SEM) showed cracks, voids, and small granules, indicating weak bonding and incomplete gelatinization. The maximum WVTR observed in CS-F of 43 x 10-3 g day- 1 m- 2. The soil burial test was used for the analysis of biodegradability of bioplastic, in which AMP-F degraded more than 105 days and CH-F completely degraded in 60 days. The results revealed that CH-F, AMP-F, and CS-F have effectively enhanced potato starch-based bioplastic characteristics and can serve as a bioplastic alternative to petroleum-based plastics in food applications.