Extraction And Characterization Of Mango Seed Kernel Starch For The Development Of Ph-responsive Smart Bioplastic Films

Abstract

The Escalating Accumulation Of Synthetic Petroleum-based Plastics Has Precipitated A Global Environmental Crisis, Driving The Search For Sustainable, Biodegradable, And Functional Alternatives. This Research Investigates The Extraction And Utilization Of Starch From Mango Seed Kernel (MSK), A Prominent Agro-industrial Waste, As A Biopolymer Matrix For Intelligent Packaging. A PH-responsive Indicator Was Synthesized By Incorporating Anthocyanin-rich Extract From Brassica Oleracea (Red Cabbage) Into The MSK Starch Matrix. The Bioplastic Films Were Fabricated Via The Solution Casting Technique, Optimized With Glycerol As A Plasticizer And Citric Acid As A Cross-linking Agent To Enhance Mechanical Integrity And Reduce Water Sensitivity. Comprehensive Characterization, Including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) Performed At The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), Coimbatore, Confirmed The Successful Formation Of Ester Bonds And The Homogeneous Distribution Of Components. The Films Exhibited Distinct Colorimetric Transitions From Pink (acidic) To Violet (neutral) And Green/yellow (alkaline), Correlating With PH Variations. Mechanical Testing Revealed A Tensile Strength Of 4.85 MPa And An Elongation At Break Of 38.5%, Suitable For Flexible Packaging Applications. The Integration Of Anthocyanins Provided Real-time Visual Sensing Capabilities, Suggesting These Films Are Promising Candidates For Smart Food Packaging Systems That Monitor Freshness While Mitigating Environmental Pollution Through The Valorization Of Agricultural Waste.

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