Biodegradable film from Phoenix dactylifera seed starch: Development and characterization.

The global community has prioritized environmental issues such as marine pollution caused by petroleum- based plastic materials. Because petroleum-based plastics are difficult to degrade in nature, developing biodegradable plastics is essential. Biodegradable plastics can be produced using a variety of renewable feedstocks, including polysaccharides, protein, and fat. Date seed is a starch source that can be used to make biodegradable plastics. This study aims to create and characterize both mechanically and biologically a biodegradable film made from date seed starch. The biodegradable films were created by mixing all the raw materials for 45 minutes at 70 - 100 °C. The sample was then placed in a mold and heated in an oven at 60 °C for 24 hours. The results show that as the concentration of date seed starch increases, both the maximum tensile strength and the maximum percent elongation decrease. The effect of chitosan concentration on maximum tensile strength varies, but in general, increasing chitosan concentration slightly increases maximum tensile strength. The maximum percent elongation was observed at a concentration of 1.45 wt.% chitosan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]