Development and Characterization of Reinforced Flexible Packaging Based on Amazonian Cassava Starch Through Flat Sheet Extrusion

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) can be a sustainable alternative to petrochemical plastics for flexible packaging, especially in rainforests and tropical regions where native starch sources such as cassava are abundant. However, one problem preventing TPS packaging from widespread use is its susceptibility to moisture. This study evaluated TPS formulations based on Amazonian cassava starch reinforced with plantain leaf fibers, beeswax, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) particles. The plastic compounds were extruded to obtain pellets and then films at 120-130 °C. The resulting films were then cut and heat-sealed to obtain flexible packaging. Different properties of the TPS packages were evaluated, such as mechanical strength, water vapor transmission (WVTR), color, infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and moisture adsorption. The results showed that the formulation with beeswax (2% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), plantain leaves powder (1% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), and LDPE powder (2% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) had a higher tensile strength (5.99 MPa) and moisture barrier (WVTR = 366.6 g m^-2 d^-1) compared to the control formulation only with plasticizers (glycerol and water) but without reinforcements (0.48 MPa and 1486.6 g m^-2 d^-1, respectively). Films with only beeswax (4% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) and plantain leaves powder (2.5% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) had tensile strength = 5.53 MPa and WVTR = 716.8 g m^-2 d^-1, with higher moisture adsorption compared to the samples with LDPE. In both cases, homogeneous and heat-sealable bags were obtained. The reinforced TPS films can be used to reduce the environmental impact generated by single-use packaging applications such as food commercialization.