Synthesis of Biodegradable,

Biopolymeric films as an
Alternative to Plastic
(A Novel and Eco-friendly Approach for
the utilization of Citrus Waste)

Participant Number:
Abstract:

While citrus waste is abundantly generated,

the disposal methods used today remain
unsatisfactory. Yet citrus waste consists of
various valuable polymers. This research
study introduces a novel and
environmentally safe approach that utilizes
citrus waste polymers as a bio-based and bio-
degradable film, for example, for food
packaging. These biofilms do not contain any
substance that could be harmful to health,
hence it can find its application for its use as
fodder.
Introduction:
Plastic Consumption in Various Sectors

7%
9%
Packaging
5%
Other

Electronics, and Telecom

57%
22% Construction Industry

Automobiles
Introduction:
Introduction:

Not just that, but biopolymers are also…

Introduction:
 Introduction:
Citrus waste is a globally abundant and environmentally
challenging waste that is underutilized.

In the current study, citrus waste has been

investigated for bio-film production, using the gelling
ability of pectin and the strength of cellulosic fibres.
 Materials and Methods:

Pretreatment:
Citrus Waste was washed with water to extract
soluble sugars

Biofilm Formation:
A mixture of 2% (w/v) of CW powder was prepared.
The suspension was poured onto petri plates and
dried
 Materials and Methods:
Biochemical Analysis: (Citrus Waste)
Estimations of:

Pectin Cellulose Total Sugars Reducing Sugars

Qualitative Test for the Presence of Cellulose

and Hemicellulose:
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry

Biodegradability Test:
Soil Burial Method
Results:
Pretreatment & Biofilm Formation
 Results:
Estimation of Pectin (As Calcium Pectate)

% Pectin (as calcium pectate) = (1.400-1.080) × 100 × 100

12.5 × 5
= 51.20%
Results:
Estimation of Cellulose (Anthrone)

Concentration of Cellulose in the Citrus Peel:

0.07196 mg/mL (0.007196%)
 Results:
Estimation of Total Sugars (Phenol-Sulphuric Acid)

Concentration of Total Sugars in the Citrus Peel:

1.16722 mg/mL (0.116722%)
 Results:
Estimation of Reducing Sugars (DNSA)

Concentration of Reducing Sugars in the Citrus Peel:

0.0488024 mg/mL (0.00488024%)
 Results:
Qualitative Test for the Presence of Cellulose and
Hemicellulose (FTIR-Agilent Cary 630 Model)

-OH -CH -CO

Results:
Soil Biodegradability (Soil Burial Method)

In the biodegradation study, films reached 100%

degradation in about 22 days.
 Discussions:
• Biodegradable polymers will play a greater role
in the packaging sector in the future.

• Citrus waste can be recycled to make

environmentally friendly biofilms.

• They should ideally be separated at the

household level from other, non-biodegradable
materials and collected with organic waste.

• By using these biological treatment methods,

the total quantities of waste sent to landfill are
reduced.
 References:
• Analytical Chemistry, Determination of Starch and Cellulose with Anthrone,
Publication Month and Year: 08/1949

• Giulia Bettas Ardisson, Maurizio Tosin and Francesco Degli Innocenti

(2014), Biodegradation of plastics in soil and effects on nitrification activity.
A laboratory approach., Front Microbiology; 2014;5;710

• Journal of Plant Chemistry, 12/1971 Estimating Pectin as Calcium Pectate

• Food Analysis Laboratory Manual Food Science Text Series (2003), Phenol-
Sulfuric Acid Method for Total Carbohydrate

• V. Bátori, D. Åkesson, A. Zamani, and M. J. Taherzadeh, “Pectin based

composites,” in Handbook of composites from renewable materials, M. K.
Thakur, M. R. Kessler, and V. K. Thakur, Eds., pp. 487–517, John Wiley &
Sons Inc, 2016.

• Veronika Batori, Mostafa Jabbari, Dan Akesson (2017), Production of Pectin

cellulose Biofilms: A New Approach for Citrus Waste Recycling, International
Journal of Polymer Science Volume 2017.