Ecofriendly Bio-packing Based on Sugarcane Bagasse Fiber for Potential Application in Agroindustry

Abstract

The concern about waste in the world is growing because of the significant environmental impact. Therefore, new alternatives are used, such as recycling, biodegradable polymer, agroindustry waste reuse, and many others. In this sense, this paper proposes a production of new bio-packing based on the waste production from agriculture (sugarcane bagasse) and the drinking industry (plastic bottles from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)) for agriculture products transportation. Then, this new material was characterized by thermal, chemical, morphological, mechanical, antifungal activity, and hydrophobic character to evaluate its characteristics to use as bio-packing. Following this purpose, all samples are characterized in nature and after production by scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR), surface angle contact, mechanical properties, and antifungal activity. The results indicated that the sample with 15% of bagasse presents the best mechanical properties. In addition, the presence of porosity can provide the material with low thermal conductivity. Moreover, the antifungal activity indicates that inhibition of fungus micellar growth was proportional to the decrease of bagasse in bio-packing. Then, which offers an innovative strategy for the use of waste in the production of environmentally friendly packing.