Development and Characterization of Antibacterial Bioplastic Films Based on Chemically Modified Musa paradisiaca Peel Starch and Chitosan Composites

The escalating demand for sustainable packaging materials has driven research into biodegradable polymers derived from agricultural and industrial waste. This study focuses on the development and physicochemical characterization of novel antibacterial bioplastic films based on chemically modified banana (Musa paradisiaca) peel starch and chitosan. Starch was first extracted from banana peels and subsequently subjected to a chemical modification, such as acetylation, to enhance its thermoplastic properties and reduce its inherent hydrophilicity. The modified starch was then blended with a chitosan solution at various concentrations to formulate a composite film-forming solution. The bioplastic films were fabricated using the solution casting method, followed by a controlled drying process.

A comprehensive characterization was performed to evaluate the resulting films. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to confirm the success of the chemical modification and to identify intermolecular interactions between the starch and chitosan polymers. The crystalline structure of the films was analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the surface and cross-sectional morphology. Key physical properties, including tensile strength, elongation at break, water vapor permeability (WVP), and thermal stability via Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), were systematically measured. Finally, the antibacterial efficacy of the composite films was quantitatively assessed against common foodborne pathogens, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, using the agar diffusion method. This methodology provides a framework for evaluating the potential of these biocomposites as a high-performance, eco-friendly packaging alternative.