Banana fiber-reinforced biodegradable soy protein composites

Banana fiber, a waste product of banana cultivation, has been used to prepare banana fiber reinforced soy protein composites. Alkali modified banana fibers were characterized in terms of density, denier and crystallinity index. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were also performed on the fibers. Soy protein composites were prepared by incorporating different volume fractions of alkali-treated and untreated fibers into soy protein isolate (SPI) with different amounts of glycerol (25%–50%) as plasticizer. Composites thus prepared were characterized in terms of mechanical properties, SEM and water resistance. The results indicate that at 0.3 volume fraction, tensile strength and modulus of alkali treated fiber reinforced soy protein composites increased to 82% and 963%, respectively, compared to soy protein film without fibers. Water resistance of the composites increased significantly with the addition of glutaraldehyde which acts as cross-linking agent. Biodegradability of the composites has also been tested in the contaminated environment and the composites were found to be 100% biodegradable.