This study explores the dual application of Karpuravalli banana plant waste for sustainable material development, focusing on the extraction of wax from banana shoots and the creation of biodegradable packaging films from banana peel powder. Two extraction methods, refluxing and Soxhlet, were used to obtain wax from mature and third leaf shoots, with Soxhlet yielding 4% wax and refluxing producing 2%. The wax exhibited properties similar to commercial natural waxes, with GC-MS analysis revealing a predominant C23 fatty acid. Biodegradable films were developed using banana peel powder, corn starch, glycerol, and wax as a moisture-resistant coating. The wax-coated films showed increased thickness and moisture resistance but decreased transparency and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and elongation. Both film types achieved over 98% biodegradation in soil. This research highlights the potential of utilizing banana plant by-products for eco-friendly packaging solutions, demonstrating that while the wax improves moisture resistance, further optimization is needed to enhance mechanical performance, thus contributing to sustainable material development from agricultural waste.

Plastics are the most popular choice for packaging materials due to their strength, flexibility, and affordability. Their non-biodegradability, however, is an environmental concern and a serious human health issue that necessitates the development of sustainable and biodegradable alternatives. Towards this end, lignocellulosic residue from biowaste stands out as a viable option due to its robust structure, biocompatibility, biodegradability, low density, and non-toxicity. Herein, the lignocellulosic fiber from banana peel was extracted by alkali and bleaching treatment, solubilized in 68% ZnCl2 solution, and crosslinked through a series of Ca2+ ion concentrations, and films prepared. Results suggest that increasing Ca2+ ions concentration significantly increases the film's tensile strength but decreases moisture content, transparency, moisture absorption, water solubility, water vapor permeability, and percentage elongation. Films have a half-life of 15.26-20.72 days and biodegrade more than 50% of their weight within 3 weeks at a soil moisture of 21%. Overall, banana peel fiber could aid in designing and developing biodegradable films and offer a sustainable solution to limit the detrimental effects of plastics.