Banana Pseudostem: An Innovative and Sustainable Packaging Material: A Review

An increase in environmental consciousness among people and governing bodies can lead to the use of biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging materials. Biodegradable materials have some limitations in use due to their poor mechanical strength. Hence, the material scientists looking for a component that circumvents the problem. As the banana pseudostem (BPS) is an agricultural waste, the valorization of this waste contributes to the economy of the farming community. The fibre from BPS has good mechanical strength and biodegradable properties. These properties mainly depend on the extraction method and the type of fibre present in the plant. BPS contains cellulose ~ 31.27% and hemicellulose ~ 14.98%, making it suitable for fibre extraction and application in the packaging industry. Grease-proof paper, paper, film, laminates, nanocrystals and nanofiber have been made from pseudostem fibre. Nanocellulose and nanofibers have the potential for packaging innovation due to their morphology, aspect ratio, low cost, low density, barrier properties and surface energy. Film mechanical properties and thermal stability have increased with the incorporation of BPS.