Biodegradable starch-based bioplastic films with carrot and beetroot peel waste: processing and characterization

Abstract The growing and intensifying use of petroleum-based plastics in everyday life poses substantial risks to human health and the environment, making it a global concern. In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study explores the development of eco-friendly, biodegradable bioplastic films using readily available food-based materials. Specially, carrot and beetroot peel powders were incorporated as natural additives into a corn starch the primary polymer matrix to enhance mechanical properties and accelerate faster degradation. The bioplastics were synthesized through starch gelatinization and plasticization, with glycerol serving as a plasticizer and vinegar as a reinforcing agent. By optimizing the ingredient concentrations, flexible and compostable films were obtained. The bioplastic films were characterized using FTIR, XRD, solubility testing, biodegradability assessment, phytotoxicity analysis, and antibacterial activity testing. FTIR results confirmed the starch polymer interaction within the vibration region of 1,200–900 cm −1 , and XRD revealed a polycrystalline structure. The bioplastic films showed greater solubility in alkaline solutions and were effectively biodegradable. Furthermore, the soil with degraded films supported seed germination, suggesting nontoxicity. Notably, their antibacterial properties suggest strong potential for sustainable food packaging applications.