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@article{191778,
        author = {Shaik Saeed Ahmed and Palla Satya Anand and Paluri Satya Veera Venkata Durga Phani Kumar},
        title = {Preparation and Characterization of Bio-Composite Film Using Dragon Fruit Peel},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {7959-7962},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=191778},
        abstract = {The increasing environmental burden of synthetic plastic waste has accelerated the development of biodegradable and sustainable material alternatives. Biopolymer-based films are gaining attention for short-term applications such as food packaging and agricultural uses. In this study, a novel bio-composite film was developed using dragon fruit peel powder as a reinforcing filler, corn starch as the polymer matrix, glycerin as a plasticizer, and water as the solvent via a solution-casting method. Dragon fruit peel, an underutilized agro-industrial residue, is rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectic substances, making it suitable for bio-composite reinforcement. The prepared films were systematically characterized for their mechanical, thermal, morphological, and barrier properties. Tensile strength, elongation at break, water absorption, water vapor transmission rate, and biodegradability were evaluated to determine functional performance. The incorporation of dragon fruit peel powder resulted in enhanced mechanical strength and improved moisture resistance compared to neat starch films. Thermal analysis confirmed improved stability due to filler–matrix interactions, while morphological studies revealed uniform dispersion of peel particles within the polymer matrix. Soil burial tests demonstrated substantial biodegradation, confirming the environmental compatibility of the films. This work highlights the valorization of dragon fruit peel waste for the production of value-added bio-composite films and supports sustainable materials development aligned with circular economy principles.},
        keywords = {Dragon fruit peel; Biodegradable films; Starch-based biocomposites; Agro-industrial waste valorization; Sustainable packaging; Biopolymer materials.},
        month = {January},
        }