FROM PEEL TO PACKAGING: DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE ALTERNATIVES USING PASSIFLORA EDULIS

The persistence of petroleum-based synthetic plastics in the environment, combined with their improper disposal, has significantly intensified the global pollution crisis, making these materials one of the greatest challenges for ecosystem conservation and environmental sustainability. In contrast, large amounts of agro-industrial residues are discarded despite their potential use in the production of biodegradable materials. Brazil is the world's largest producer and consumer of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), with an annual harvest exceeding 600,000 tons. Approximately 60% of the total production is destined for fresh consumption, while the remaining 40% is processed. Passion fruit peel represents about 51% of the fruit mass and is generally discarded, despite being rich in pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, natural polymers with great potential for the production of biodegradable packaging. To prepare the polymeric matrix, passion fruit peel flour, sodium alginate, colorless gelatin, and glycerol as a plasticizer were used. Different formulations were developed and qualitatively evaluated based on film formation, homogeneity, flexibility, structural integrity, and their potential application in the manufacture of biodegradable packaging. A 2³ factorial experimental design with three replicates at the central point was employed to optimize the formulation. The resulting material exhibited average values of 0.9562 mm for thickness, 1.2468 MPa for tensile strength at break, 24.7646% for elongation at break, 5.3481 MPa for Young's modulus, and water solubility below 20%. However, the material was highly hydrophilic, preventing contact angle measurements. Overall, the developed material showed promising potential for the production of biodegradable trays and drinking straws, although further optimization of the formulation is still required.