Development and characterization of food packaging bioplastic film from cocoa pod husk cellulose incorporated with sugarcane bagasse fibre

Agricultural wastes, including cocoa pod husk (waste from the chocolate industry) and sugarcane bagasse (waste from the sugar industry), are increasing day by day. The development of food packaging biofilms from these two wastes could be beneficial to the environment and human. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop biodegradable plastic films by using cocoa pod husk and sugarcane bagasse. Cellulose and fibre were extracted from cocoa pod husk and sugarcane bagasse, respectively. The developed bioplastic films were divided into several concentration ratios of cellulose and fibre which are 100꞉0 (100% cellulose), 75꞉25 (cellulose꞉fibre), 50꞉50 (cellulose꞉fibre), 25꞉75 (cellulose꞉fibre), and 0꞉100 (100% fibre). The physicochemical properties for all bioplastic concentration ratios were determined in terms of sensory evaluation, drying time, moisture content, water absorption and water vapor permeability. From the observation and analysis of the physicochemical properties of bioplastic, we found that the most suitable bioplastic film for food packaging goes to the combination of 75% cellulose and 25% fibre bioplastic, as it demonstrated the lowest water absorption percentage and water vapor permeability.