Development of Kohila (Lasia spinose) Rhizome Powder and Arecanut (Areca catechu L.) Husk Fiber Based Biodegradable Packaging Material

Abstract

The packaging is a vital factor in the food industry. The plastic packaging dominates the food industry which adversely affects the biodiversity of the environment. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to develop a biodegradable packaging material using Kohila (Lasia spinose) rhizome powder and arecanut (Areca catechu L.) husk fiber. Three formulations were prepared by changing the percentages of L. spinose rhizome powder and arecanut husk fiber. The evaluated properties were thickness, pH, moisture content, water uptake ratio, water solubility ratio, fracturability, and color. The thickness of the packaging material ranged between 1.80±0.18 mm to 1.91±0.05 mm. The moisture content was higher (7.02%±1.02%) in the sample prepared by adding 30% of L. spinose rhizome powder and the lowest (5.32%±0.17%) in the sample prepared by adding 10% of L. spinose rhizome powder. The pH of the packaging material was ranged between 5.95 and 5.55 at 25◦C. The fracturability was higher (1490.7±33.9 g) in the sample prepared by adding 10% of L. spinose rhizome powder while 30% of L. spinose rhizome powder showed the lowest fracturability (846±413 g). The 30% L. spinose rhizome powder contained sample showed the highest water uptake ratio (49.99%±7.83%) and the highest water solubility ratio (7.83%±0.52%). The color of biodegradable packaging material was defined by L*, a*, and b* values which ranged between L* (50.95 - 52.15), a* (9.20 – 11.70), and b* (21.90 – 24.40). Approximately, 40% in each sample decomposed during the soil burial test. In conclusion, the biodegradable packaging developed with 30% L. spinose rhizome powder and 25% arecanut husk fiber had the highest thickness, pH, moisture content, water solubility ratio, water uptake ratio, least fracturability, and better alternative for single use plastic cups.