Extraction of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Banana Peels and its Application in Biodegradable Film

Abstract

Over the years, there has been a noticeable rise in the worldwide usage of plastics. Most plastics made from petroleum are not biodegradable, they end up in landfills for a long time and contribute to plastic pollution. Fruit peel waste contributes to 15–60% of total fruit waste and tends to be dumped, they can pollute the environment and pose health risks if not properly managed. This study utilized banana peels which is considered fruit waste to extract Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC), which acts as a filler in a biodegradable film. The study aimed to characterize the properties of MCC derived from banana peel powder (BPP) and to investigate the effect of MCC as filler in starch-based film.