Bioconversion of tomato plant waste lignocellulosic into biocomposites via fungal biodelignification with Marasmius sp. and Trametes versicolor

This study introduced a bioconversion route in which fungal biodelignification was used to modify the chemical composition and structure of tomato plant waste for composite fabrication targeting active packaging sheets. Biomass was pretreated with Marasmius sp. and Trametes versicolor under solid-state fermentation, reducing lignin and extractives while enriching cellulose and hemicellulose. Consolidation of the modified fibers with citric acid, tapioca starch, and glycerol via thermal pressing produced biocomposites with improved interfacial compatibility and moisture resistance. Compared with composites from untreated biomass, biodelignified counterparts exhibited a twofold improvement in moisture barrier properties while retaining sufficient tensile strength, highlighting a trade-off between water resistance and mechanical robustness. Importantly, the physical, moisture, and mechanical behaviors were not dictated by a single component but arose from interactions among lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and extractives. Unlike previous studies on tomato plant waste that employed enzymatic pretreatments for papermaking or untreated biomass for particleboard, this work was the first to apply fungal biodelignification of tomato plants for biocomposites production. These findings reveal the potential of tomato residues as a scalable feedstock for sustainable packaging materials. • Fungal biodelignification reduced lignin and enriched cellulose, hemicellulose. • Slight variations in chemical composition yield distinct biocomposite properties. • Lignocellulosic fractions acted synergistically, not independently, in composites. • Marasmius sp. with tapioca–citric acid produced optimal biocomposites. • Tomato waste shows promise as a feedstock for sustainable biocomposites.