Synthesis of Biofilm from Citrus X Sinensi, Musa, and Punica Granatum Mixed Peel for Environmental Sustenance
نویسندگان
1 Department: Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, P. O. Box: 602117, Chennai, India
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, P. O. Box: 641407, Tamil Nadu, India.
3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, P. O. Box: 600119, Chennai, India
4 Department of Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, P. O. Box: 600119, Chennai, India
5 Department of Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, P. O. Box: 600119, Chennai, India
6 Department of Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, P. O. Box: 600119, Chennai, India
doi
10.30501/jree.2026.513129.2312چکیده
Biodegradable, flexible biofilms provide a safer and eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics that contribute to environmental pollution. In this study, a 10 × 8 cm biofilm with a thickness of 0.2 mm was fabricated using mixed peels from Citrus × sinensis, Musa, and Punica granatum. The mixed-peel biofilm (MPB) was produced using a standard method, and an alkali-treated version (AAMPB) was also developed. The tensile strength of MPB and AAMPB was measured at 7.84 MPa and 9.54 MPa, respectively, demonstrating a clear improvement attributed to stronger intermolecular bonding following alkali treatment. FTIR analysis confirmed enhanced hydrogen bonding and partial de-esterification in AAMPB, supporting the chemical modifications responsible for its improved performance. SEM images revealed that MPB exhibited a porous and cracked texture, whereas AAMPB displayed a smoother and more compact surface, which accounts for the enhanced strength and reduced water absorption. In degradation tests, 84.17% of MPB and 88.93% of AAMPB degraded in soil within 50 days. Additional water absorption and aqueous degradation tests further confirmed that the films are hydrophilic and biodegradable. Overall, the findings indicate that alkali-treated mixed-peel biofilms exhibit superior structural, mechanical, and degradation properties, making them strong candidates for sustainable packaging solutions and environmental applications.
