Optimization of Cassava Starch/Onion Peel Powder-Based Bioplastics: Influence of Composition on Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability Using Central Composite Design

Synthetic plastic pollution represents a major global concern, driving the search for sustainable and biodegradable packaging alternatives. However, many biodegradable plastics suffer from inadequate mechanical performance. This study aimed to develop a biodegradable film based on cassava starch, in...

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Main Authors: Assala Torche, Chouana Toufik, Fairouz Djeghim, Ibtissem Sanah, Rabah Arhab, Maria D’Elia, Luca Rastrelli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2414
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author Assala Torche
Chouana Toufik
Fairouz Djeghim
Ibtissem Sanah
Rabah Arhab
Maria D’Elia
Luca Rastrelli
author_facet Assala Torche
Chouana Toufik
Fairouz Djeghim
Ibtissem Sanah
Rabah Arhab
Maria D’Elia
Luca Rastrelli
author_sort Assala Torche
collection DOAJ
description Synthetic plastic pollution represents a major global concern, driving the search for sustainable and biodegradable packaging alternatives. However, many biodegradable plastics suffer from inadequate mechanical performance. This study aimed to develop a biodegradable film based on cassava starch, incorporating onion peel powder (OPP), a byproduct rich in quercetin derivatives, as a reinforcing agent and plasticized with crude glycerol. A Central Composite Design (CCD), implemented using Minitab 19, was employed to investigate the effects of starch (60–80%) and OPP (0–40%) content on the mechanical properties and biodegradability of the resulting bioplastics. Three optimized formulations were identified according to specific performance criteria. The first formulation, containing 72.07% starch and 21.06% OPP, was optimized for maximum tensile strength while maintaining target values for elongation and biodegradability. The second, composed of 77.28% starch and 37.69% OPP, was optimized to enhance tensile strength and biodegradability while minimizing elongation. The third formulation, with 84.56% starch and 27.74% OPP, aimed to achieve a balanced optimization of tensile strength, elongation, and biodegradability. After a 30-day soil burial test, these formulations exhibited weight loss percentages of 31.86%, 29.12%, and 29.02%, respectively, confirming their biodegradability. This study optimized the mechanical and biodegradability properties of cassava starch-based bioplastics using statistical modeling. The optimized formulations show potential for application in sustainable food packaging.
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spelling doaj-art-5b0986b06c404631a2ef3ec38d2a4f552025-08-20T02:45:45ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011414241410.3390/foods14142414Optimization of Cassava Starch/Onion Peel Powder-Based Bioplastics: Influence of Composition on Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability Using Central Composite DesignAssala Torche0Chouana Toufik1Fairouz Djeghim2Ibtissem Sanah3Rabah Arhab4Maria D’Elia5Luca Rastrelli6Laboratory of Protection of Ecosystems in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones (Eco-Sys), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Kasdi Merbah University, Ouargla 30000, AlgeriaLaboratory of Protection of Ecosystems in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones (Eco-Sys), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Kasdi Merbah University, Ouargla 30000, Algeria© Laboratoire de Nutrition et Technologie Alimentaire (L.N.T.A), Institut de la Nutrition, de l’Alimentation et des Technologies Agro-Alimentaires (INATAA), Université Frères Mentouri Constantine 1, Constantine 25017, AlgeriaLaboratoire de Génie Biologique Valorisation et Innovation des Produits Agroalimentaires Institut ISTA-Ain M’Lila, Université Larbi Ben M’hidi Oum El-Bouaghi, Oum El-Bouaghi 04000, AlgeriaDepartment of Nature and Life Sciences, Larbi Ben M’Hidi University, Oum El Bouaghi 04000, AlgeriaNational Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, ItalyNational Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, ItalySynthetic plastic pollution represents a major global concern, driving the search for sustainable and biodegradable packaging alternatives. However, many biodegradable plastics suffer from inadequate mechanical performance. This study aimed to develop a biodegradable film based on cassava starch, incorporating onion peel powder (OPP), a byproduct rich in quercetin derivatives, as a reinforcing agent and plasticized with crude glycerol. A Central Composite Design (CCD), implemented using Minitab 19, was employed to investigate the effects of starch (60–80%) and OPP (0–40%) content on the mechanical properties and biodegradability of the resulting bioplastics. Three optimized formulations were identified according to specific performance criteria. The first formulation, containing 72.07% starch and 21.06% OPP, was optimized for maximum tensile strength while maintaining target values for elongation and biodegradability. The second, composed of 77.28% starch and 37.69% OPP, was optimized to enhance tensile strength and biodegradability while minimizing elongation. The third formulation, with 84.56% starch and 27.74% OPP, aimed to achieve a balanced optimization of tensile strength, elongation, and biodegradability. After a 30-day soil burial test, these formulations exhibited weight loss percentages of 31.86%, 29.12%, and 29.02%, respectively, confirming their biodegradability. This study optimized the mechanical and biodegradability properties of cassava starch-based bioplastics using statistical modeling. The optimized formulations show potential for application in sustainable food packaging.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2414biodegradable plasticscassava starchonion peel powdercentralcomposite designsoil burial test
spellingShingle Assala Torche
Chouana Toufik
Fairouz Djeghim
Ibtissem Sanah
Rabah Arhab
Maria D’Elia
Luca Rastrelli
Optimization of Cassava Starch/Onion Peel Powder-Based Bioplastics: Influence of Composition on Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability Using Central Composite Design
Foods
biodegradable plastics
cassava starch
onion peel powder
central
composite design
soil burial test
title Optimization of Cassava Starch/Onion Peel Powder-Based Bioplastics: Influence of Composition on Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability Using Central Composite Design
title_full Optimization of Cassava Starch/Onion Peel Powder-Based Bioplastics: Influence of Composition on Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability Using Central Composite Design
title_fullStr Optimization of Cassava Starch/Onion Peel Powder-Based Bioplastics: Influence of Composition on Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability Using Central Composite Design
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of Cassava Starch/Onion Peel Powder-Based Bioplastics: Influence of Composition on Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability Using Central Composite Design
title_short Optimization of Cassava Starch/Onion Peel Powder-Based Bioplastics: Influence of Composition on Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability Using Central Composite Design
title_sort optimization of cassava starch onion peel powder based bioplastics influence of composition on mechanical properties and biodegradability using central composite design
topic biodegradable plastics
cassava starch
onion peel powder
central
composite design
soil burial test
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2414
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