Valorization of Potato Peel Waste for Biodegradable Food Packaging Materials Using Deep Eutectic Solvents
BARANWAL J.1, MERINO D.1,2
E-mail: jaya.baranwal@polymat.eu
1POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Joxe Mari Korta Center, Avda. Tolosa 72, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
2Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
Keywords: Potato peel, Deep eutectic solvents, Food-waste, Bioplastics
Many packaging materials contain non-biodegradable, petroleum-derived polymers, which has prompted environmental concerns. Circular economy-based solutions are sought. Due to its high starch content, potato peel (PoP), the main waste of potato processing, is a viable biomass source for biodegradable products. To valorize PoP, this study will transform it into food packaging bioplastics.
Potato peels are a sustainable and cost-effective source of biopolymers that avoid food resource rivalry and industrial bioplastic manufacturing expenses. In this investigation, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) made of glycerol and choline chloride was used to treat potato peel powder after it had undergone acidic hydrolysis. The plasticization effects of DES, its components (choline chloride and glycerol), and thermoplastic starch films as controls were thoroughly examined.
The prepared materials' structural and morphological characteristics were investigated by FTIR and SEM. Besides their mechanical properties, their interaction with water, including moisture content (MC), water solubility (WS), and water vapor permeability (WVP), was studied. TGA and DSC thermochemical analyses revealed the material's performance and biodegradability potential. Preliminary studies show that DES improves the plasticization of potato peel powder, resulting in homogenous and flexible materials. These findings show that PoP-based bioplastics have the potential to be environmentally acceptable food packaging substitutes that lessen dependency on petroleum-based polymers and increase waste value.