Low energy and solvent free technique for the development of nanocellulose based bioplastic from banana pseudostem juice

Abstract

Banana pseudostem juice (BPJ) was fermented through a low energy and solvent free process to produce bioplastics. The fermentation mimicked the nata de coco production process where coconut water (CW) is fermented by Acetobacter xylinum to produce microbial nanocellulose. The ratio between BPJ and CW significantly affected the yield of nanocellulose biomass. One to one ratio (V/V) was found to be the best formula to produce the thickest biomass with the highest amount of BPJ. The resultant bioplastic was characterized thoroughly for its physicochemical properties. The bioplastic contained 89.11% (dry-basis) α-cellulose with fibre diameter approximately 61.55±24.49 nm. Compared to other reported studies, the bioplastic had lower water sorption capacity (208.86%) and comparable tensile strength (112.73 MPa), elongation (3.05%), crystallinity index (74.05%), and degradation temperature (220 °C). In conclusion, this bioplastic has a potential to be used to substitute the conventional fuel-based plastic with relatively low impact on the environment compared to other production methods.