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This research is being driven by environmental legislation that requires the consumption and usage of environmentally friendly products. The focus of this research is to develop and characterize thermoplastic arrowroot starch (TPAS) based biocomposite films incorporating arrowroot fibre (AF) at various compositions (0–10 wt.%) using the solution casting method. The biodegradation behaviour of newly developed composite films was examined. The average degradation rates of TPAS and TPAS/AF–10 films were 8 and 9.84%/day, respectively. The soil burial results revealed that the weight loss of TPAS/AF biocomposite films was higher compared to TPAS film. The biocomposite films revealed arrowroot fibre, a novel waste resource that is both eco-friendly and simple to produce. Overall, incorporating arrowroot fibre with TPAS film improves biodegradability, making them more suitable for environmentally friendly food packaging.

This research was set out to explore the development of arrowroot starch (AS) films using glycerol (G) as plasticizer at the ratio of 15, 30, and 45% (w/w, starch basis) using solution casting technique. The developed films were analyzed in terms of physical, structural, mechanical, thermal, environmental, and barrier properties. The incorporation of glycerol to AS film-making solution reduced the brittleness and fragility of films. An increment in glycerol concentration caused an increment in film thickness, moisture content, and solubility in water, whereas density and water absorption were reduced. The tensile strength and modulus of G-plasticized AS films were reduced significantly from 9.34 to 1.95 MPa and 620.79 to 36.08 MPa, respectively, while elongation at break was enhanced from 2.41 to 57.33%. FTIR analysis revealed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding occurred between glycerol and AS in plasticized films compared to control films. The G-plasticized films showed higher thermal stability than control films. The cross-sectional micrographs revealed that the films containing 45% glycerol concentration had higher homogeneity than 15% and 30%. Water vapour permeability of plasticized films increased by an increase in glycerol concentrations. The findings of this research provide insights into the development of bio-degradable food packaging.

Using the solution casting method, a novel biodegradable thermoplastic arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) starch (TPAS) films containing arrowroot fiber (AF) at different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt%) were developed and characterized in terms of thermal, antibacterial activity, water vapor permeability (WVP), biodegradability, and light transmittance properties. The TPAS/AF-10 biocomposite film revealed a higher degradation temperature (313.02 °C) than other biocomposite films, indicating better thermal stability. Furthermore, increasing AF concentration led to a significant (p 0.05) reduction in the linear burning rate and WVP of the biocomposite films from 248.9 to 115.2 mm/min and 8.18 × 10

This research is driven by stringent environmental legislation requiring the consumption and use of environmentally friendly materials. In this context, this paper is concerned with the development and characterization of thermoplastic arrowroot starch (TPAS) based biocomposite films by incorporating arrowroot fiber (AF) (0–10%) into a glycerol plasticized matrix by using the solution casting method. Developed TPAS/AF composite films were investigated, such as physical, morphological (FESEM), tensile, and tear strength characteristics. The tensile and tear strengths of TPAS/AF composites were increased significantly from 4.77 to 15.22 MPa and 0.87 to 1.28 MPa, respectively, as compared to the control TPAS films, which were 2.42 MPa and 0.83 MPa, respectively, while elongation was significantly decreased from 25.57 to 6.21% compared to control TPAS film, which was 46.62%. The findings revealed that after the fiber was reinforced, the mechanical properties were enhanced, and the optimum filler content was 10%. Regardless of fiber loadings, the results of water absorption testing revealed that the composite films immersed in seawater and rainwater absorbed more water than distilled water. Overall, the results of this research focus on providing information on biopolymer composite film and revealing the great potential it has for the food packaging industry.

This research is driven by stringent environmental legislation requiring the consumption and use of environmentally friendly materials. In this context, this paper is concerned with the development and characterization of thermoplastic arrowroot starch (TPAS) based biocomposite films by incorporating arrowroot fiber (AF) (0-10%) into a glycerol plasticized matrix by using the solution casting method. Developed TPAS/AF composite films were investigated, such as physical, morphological (FESEM), tensile, and tear strength characteristics. The tensile and tear strengths of TPAS/AF composites were increased significantly from 4.77 to 15.22 MPa and 0.87 to 1.28 MPa, respectively, as compared to the control TPAS films, which were 2.42 MPa and 0.83 MPa, respectively, while elongation was significantly decreased from 25.57 to 6.21% compared to control TPAS film, which was 46.62%. The findings revealed that after the fiber was reinforced, the mechanical properties were enhanced, and the optimum filler content was 10%. Regardless of fiber loadings, the results of water absorption testing revealed that the composite films immersed in seawater and rainwater absorbed more water than distilled water. Overall, the results of this research focus on providing information on biopolymer composite film and revealing the great potential it has for the food packaging industry.

Roselle has attained huge attention as a jute substitute, and attempts are being made to extend its cultivation in areas that are not favorable for the cultivation of jute. The roselle plant is classified as a rapid-growing plant and renewable natural bioresource that can be found growing in Malaysia, India, Panama, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Guatemala, Australia, Philippines, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania, Djibouti, Cambodia, Vietnam, Namibia, Gabon, Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, DR Congo, Myanmar, Thailand, Belize, China, Sudan, South Sudan, Egypt, Gambia, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Laos, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil, and Cuba. This chapter discusses the origin, distribution, taxonomy, benefits, production, product development, and composites of the roselle plant. Roselle is an astringent, aromatic, and refreshing herb that is commonly used in the tropics. The roselle plant has been utilized in folk medicine as a mild laxative and diuretic and in the treatment of nerve and cardiac diseases. The leaves taste strongly mucilaginous and are used as a moisturizer and for cough relief. Similar to the leaves, the fruits also have antiscorbutic property. The flowers contain anthocyanin, the glycoside hibiscin, and gossypetin. The findings of this chapter showed that the incorporation and hybridization of roselle hybrid composites had improved the mechanical properties of polymer composites. Roselle can be utilized in either medical products or massive-scale industrial applications as a result of its excellent mechanical properties when reinforced with polymer composites.