Polyvinyl Alcohol-Corn Starch-Lemon Peel Biocomposite Films as Potential Food Packaging

Abstract

In this study, novel biocomposite films were prepared by incorporating lemon peel to a polyvinyl alcoholstarch matrix. The influence of the lemon peel content on the structural, mechanical, and optical propertiesof biocomposite films was discussed. The FT-IR studies revealed the formation of a strong interactionbetween the lemon peel and polymer matrix. Blending with lemon peel led to an improvement in the UVlight barrier properties of the polyvinyl alcohol-starch films. The incorporation of 1 wt% lemon peelfurther enhanced the mechanical properties of the films due to good compatibility and bonding betweenpeel particles and polymer matrix. The results showed that lemon by-product has great potential to beevaluated into added-value products for packaging applications.