Physicomechanical Properties and Biodegradation Rate of Composites Made from Plantain and Chayotextle Starch/Fiber

Plantain and chayotextle starch were mixed with plantain and chayotextle fiber to make biodegradable materials through a baking process. Tensile strength (Ts) and Young module (Ym) in baked foam materials (BFM) improved as the concentration of fiber increased, while elongation at break (Eb) decreased. BFM made only with plantain or chayotextle starch showed poor mechanical properties. Density values increased from ~ 0.16 to ~ 0.26 g/cm3 when the concentration of fiber in the matrix of the BFM increased while solubility decreased with higher fiber content. In burial tests, biodegradation of BFM was observed over time as indicated by the loss of weight and a reduction in the transition peaks obtained in the thermogravimetric analysis. The mineralization study showed that the addition of fiber decreased the biodegradation rate of the BFM compared to samples made only of starch. Based on the results, plantain and chayotextle fiber which is a waste byproduct could be used to produce biodegradable materials for food packaging and help reducing the need for plastic materials.