Development and Characterization of Bioplastic Sheets from Different Varieties of Banana Peel

Abstract

The use of synthetic plastics has devastating impacts on ecosystems and living organisms. Fortunately, bioplastics made from banana peels have shown great promise as a sustainable alternative. This study explores the potential of using banana peels to produce bioplastic sheets, with a focus on their physical and chemical properties. Three banana varieties - red, yellow, and green - were used to manufacture bioplastic sheets. The sheets were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Additionally, soil degradation tests and water absorption capacity were conducted. In the result the FTIR analysis revealed that the molecules in the bioplastic sheets absorb light in the infrared region, indicating the presence of specific functional groups. XRD analysis shoewed that the red banana bioplastic sheets had the largest peak at 118. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that yellow banana bioplastic sheets had higher absorptivity at a wavelength of 540 nm. Water absorption capacity tests found that all bioplastic sheets had a swelling index between 50-55%. Soil degradation tests revealed that green banana peel sheets degraded faster than the other two varieties, while yellow banana peel sheets degraded slower. Overall, this study demonstrates that bioplastic sheets made from yellow and red banana peels exhibit favorable properties. These findings have significant implications for the development of sustainable bioplastics from banana peels.