The rapid growth of the global population has led to two pressing challenges: the increasing demand for food and the escalating production of plastic. A higher rate of food consumption inherently results in greater waste generation, while the surge in plastic production contributes to the accumulation of plastic waste, ultimately leading to the formation of microplastics. Addressing these interconnected issues requires a sustainable approach, and the circular economy presents a promising solution. By repurposing food waste to mitigate the microplastic problem, this approach offers a strategy to reduce environmental impact while promoting resource efficiency.
Fruit waste, in particular, is an attractive source of essential nutrients and sugars, offering significant opportunities for recycling and conversion into valuable commodities, such as bacterial cellulose (BC). BC is a biomaterial with a unique three-dimensional structure, nanoporous structure, large surface area, high water-holding capacity, and biodegradability. Here we report a straightforward synthesis of bacterial cellulose from mixed fruit waste of watermelon, cantaloupe, melon, and cayenne pineapple peel waste aqueous extracts by Gluconacetobacter xylinus under static cultivation. The results revealed that the yield of mixed fruit-BC with the addition of a nitrogen source (peptone or yeast extract) was almost threefold greater than that of standard Hestrin and Schramm (HS) media and watermelon peel BC but slightly lower than that of melon and pineapple BC. The results of the FTIR analysis of the mixed fruit BC were similar to those of the HS medium and other BCs. However, we found differences in the crystallinity, micromorphology, and water-holding capacity of the BCs. This study evaluates the potential of mixed fruit waste BC for microplastic removal, leveraging its microporous structure, high porosity, and excellent water-holding capacity.