Physicochemical characterization of two varieties of oranges peels and evaluation of its potential in biodegradable plastic films formulation

Yete Pélagie 1, *, Wekpon Honorat 1, Togbe Alexis 1, Mahunon Reine 2, Ehinnou Casimir 1, 2, Ahlonsou Daniel 1, Aina Pépin 2 and Wotto Valentin 1

1 Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
2 Laboratory of Water and Environmental Sciences and Techniques, Department of water Sanitation Engineering, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 16(02), 926-934
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2022.16.2.1225
 
Publication history: 
Received on 10 October 2022; revised on 19 November 2022; accepted on 22 November 2022
 
Abstract: 
The use of plastics from non-biodegradable fossil resources is a major source of pollution. As a result, fossil resources are gradually being replaced or reinforced by renewable resources such as: agropolymers, polymers from microorganisms and biotechnology in the manufacture of ecological plastics. Our study therefore proposed an effective solution to this problem via the valorization of agropolymers from orange peels in bioplastics. The physicochemical parameters of two varieties of orange peel grown in Benin (Valencia and Pineaple) were determined by following international standard protocols. From the obtained results, it appears that the pH of orange peels is comprised between 3.59 and 4.04; orange peels are acidic and constitute a pollution factor for the environment. The peels are also rich in cellulose (19.08% for Valencia and 19.76% for Pineaple) . The pectin content is 23.5% in the peels from Valencia variety while that of the Pineaple variety is 22.00%. Lignin content ranges 4.75% to 6.93%. These fibers’ contents show that orange peels are a potential source of biomass that can be used as reinforcement material in the formulation of bioplastics.
Our future work will focus on the formulation of biodegradable plastic films using the characterized orange peel.
 
Keywords: 
Pineaple; Valencia; Orange peels; Physicochemical parameters; Bio plastics
 
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