Valorisation of pumpkin seeds and peels into biodegradable packaging films

Abstract

Pumpkin seeds and peels are waste generated from the pumpkin processing industry and having the potential to utilize for biodegradable film development. The purpose of this study was to utilized the by-products of pumpkin processing industry for developing biodegradable packaging films. Such biodegradable films were developed with defatted pumpkin seeds (DPS) and pumpkin peels (PP) in the proportion of 0:1(A-1), 1:2(A-2), 1:1(A-3), 2:1(A-4), and 1:0 (A-5). The film forming solutions were treated with ultrasound for 45min at 200W, glycerol and soy lecithin were added and then films were casted. Mechanical, barrier and optical properties were analysed for all the films. Tensile strength film developed using single component (PP and DPS) were 657±3.0kPa and 1157±5.0kPa as well as elongation percentage were 6.31±0.23% and 7.83±0.93% respectively. The film developed using equal proportion of DPS and PP (i.e. film A-3) had highest tensile strength (1401±5.4kPa) and elongation percentage (9.74±0.46%) compared to other developed films. Water vapor permeability, water solubility, swelling properties, melting point for film A-3 were reported as 8.79±0.12 × 10−6 g/Pamh, 43.39±1.65%, 41.47±1.46%, 82.47±0.50°C respectively. The ultrasound treatment was effective for casting of film and improving its properties. The increase in the ratio of DPS:PP from 1:0 to 1:1 shown increased in tensile strength and elongation at break. Co-products of pumpkin processing industry were successfully utilized for developing biodegradable film.