Bio-Based Starch Films from Ripe Plantain Peels: Kinetic Modelling and Physicomechanical Assessment

Bio-Based Starch Films from Ripe Plantain Peels: Kinetic Modelling and Physicomechanical Assessment | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Bio-Based Starch Films from Ripe Plantain Peels: Kinetic Modelling and Physicomechanical Assessment Cosmos Kojo Boateng, Persis Tweneboah, Arafat Mohammed This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8189533/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The growing environmental impact of traditional plastics has driven research toward more sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. In this study, ripe plantain peel (RPP), a common agricultural waste, was used to synthesize biodegradable films using thermal casting with glycerol, honey, and Arabic gum. The films were thoroughly studied using FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM, and EDX to determine their structural, thermal, and morphological properties. FTIR investigation verified the existence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and starch-related functional groups, whilst XRD revealed a significant amorphous content, compatible with a starch-based matrix. TGA indicated that substantial thermal degradation occurs between 200–350°C, where 67% mass loss is detected, and SEM/EDX investigation revealed a rough, compact, and heterogeneous surface with fused granular structures and micro-voids. The films were hydrophilic, with a moisture content of 15.93 ± 0.48%, water absorption capacity of 38.78 ± 1.55%, and low solubility (9.34 ± 0.16%), facilitating microbial colonization and polymer chain breakdown. Mechanical tests revealed a soft and flexible matrix (Young's modulus 0.27 ± 0.08 MPa, elongation at break 13.7 ± 1.69%) and tensile strength of 3.64 ± 0.40 MPa, making it ideal for light-duty packaging. Soil burial experiments assessed biodegradation kinetics, and the results were fitted to zero-order, first-order, second-order, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models. The zero-order model (R²= 0.9849) best describes degradation, demonstrating a consistent mass-loss rate caused by moisture transport and enzyme activity. This study shows that RPP can be converted into useful, biodegradable films, offering a sustainable substitute for traditional plastics and a circular economy solution by turning agricultural waste into environmentally friendly packaging materials that degrade naturally. Biodegradable Bioplastic Film Kinetic Modelling Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties Ripe Plantain Peel Sustainable Polymer Materials Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files BIOBASEDSTARCHFILMSFROMRIPEPLANTAINPEELSKINETICMODELLINGANDPHYSICOMECHANICALASSESSMENTDataavailabilitystatement.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 02 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 23 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 21 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 05 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 31 Dec, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 11 Dec, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 28 Nov, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 28 Nov, 2025 First submitted to journal 24 Nov, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8189533","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":559849016,"identity":"16296fe5-abc5-4c35-8af3-9dff7160850d","order_by":0,"name":"Cosmos Kojo Boateng","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABD0lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYPCCA1DawIaHH0QnFBCjhQ1EV6TJSTaAtBgQreXMIWMDsI14tPC3tz/d8OHPHTn++c3HHn5tO5C4+fzqxA8PDBjk+cUOYNUiceaM2c2Zbc+MJY6xpRvLtt1J3Hbj7WYJoMMMZ85OwKrFQCKH7TZvw+HEhmM8ZtKSbc+AWs5uAGlJMLiNS0v6s9s8fw4nzj/G/w2o5XDi5hlnN//AryXB7DYP2+HEDcd42CQ/nDlsbMDfuw2vLXC/GB5LM5MGBbLEDd5tFgkGEjj9AgyxZzdAISZ3+PAzyR+gqOw/u/nmjwobeX5p7FpQADMP2GKwSgnCykGA8QfY4gPEqR4Fo2AUjIIRAwCvf2s+SnG7RQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"C. 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In this study, ripe plantain peel (RPP), a common agricultural waste, was used to synthesize biodegradable films using thermal casting with glycerol, honey, and Arabic gum. The films were thoroughly studied using FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM, and EDX to determine their structural, thermal, and morphological properties. FTIR investigation verified the existence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and starch-related functional groups, whilst XRD revealed a significant amorphous content, compatible with a starch-based matrix. TGA indicated that substantial thermal degradation occurs between 200\u0026ndash;350\u0026deg;C, where 67% mass loss is detected, and SEM/EDX investigation revealed a rough, compact, and heterogeneous surface with fused granular structures and micro-voids. The films were hydrophilic, with a moisture content of 15.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48%, water absorption capacity of 38.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.55%, and low solubility (9.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16%), facilitating microbial colonization and polymer chain breakdown. Mechanical tests revealed a soft and flexible matrix (Young's modulus 0.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08 MPa, elongation at break 13.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.69%) and tensile strength of 3.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40 MPa, making it ideal for light-duty packaging. Soil burial experiments assessed biodegradation kinetics, and the results were fitted to zero-order, first-order, second-order, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models. The zero-order model (R\u0026sup2;= 0.9849) best describes degradation, demonstrating a consistent mass-loss rate caused by moisture transport and enzyme activity. 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