Investigation of critical properties of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel and bagasse as starch-rich fibrous agro-industrial wastes for biodegradable food packaging

Vindya Thathsaranee Weligama Thuppahige; Lalehvash Moghaddam; Zachary G Welsh; Tony Wang; Azharul Karim

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136200

Investigation of critical properties of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel and bagasse as starch-rich fibrous agro-industrial wastes for biodegradable food packaging

Food Chem. 2023 Oct 1:422:136200. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136200. Epub 2023 Apr 19.

Authors

Vindya Thathsaranee Weligama Thuppahige¹, Lalehvash Moghaddam², Zachary G Welsh³, Tony Wang⁴, Azharul Karim⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Kamburupitiya 81100, Sri Lanka.
² Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
³ School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
⁴ Central Analytical Research Facility, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
⁵ School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia. Electronic address: azharul.karim@qut.edu.au.

PMID: 37126959
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136200

Abstract

Cassava peel and bagasse are fibrous, starch-rich agro-industrial wastes, which cause severe environmental impacts upon their disposal. However, these can be raw materials for biodegradable food packaging. In this study, their morphological, chemical, thermal properties, crystalline phases, and chemical compositions were investigated, and potential utilisation as alternative biodegradable food packaging matrices has been assessed. Residual starches in cassava peel and bagasse were morphologically similar with that of commercial cassava starch, whereas potassium (8570 ± 56 mg/kg), and calcium (5300 ± 147 mg/kg) were highly abounded in peel and bagasse respectively. The major crystalline phase, α-amylose dihydrate, for cassava peel (97.1 (2) %) and bagasse (99.0 (3) %) point towards the presence of starch. Calcium and silicon reported to be in crystalline phases respectively, in the forms of quartz and whewellite. These beneficial characteristics suggested the potential valorisation of cassava peel and bagasse with special interest as matrices for biodegradable food packaging.

Keywords: Agro-industrial waste; Biodegradable food packaging film; Cassava bagasse; Cassava peel; Characterisation; Environmental pollution.

MeSH terms

Calcium
Food Packaging
Industrial Waste
Manihot* / chemistry
Starch / chemistry

Substances

bagasse
Industrial Waste
Starch
Calcium