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@article{194403,
        author = {Puli Madhuri},
        title = {Mucilage based bioplastic: Review on Sustainable production and application},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {10},
        pages = {3645-3657},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=194403},
        abstract = {Petroleum-based bioplastic has become escalating environmental burden and has prompted an urgent global pursuit which include sustainable, biodegradable alternatives derived from renewable sources. Both production and decaying of plastics release toxic chemicals contributing to global warming, ozone layer depletion. Polymers derived from plants have been an ultimate solution to this problem because of their promising future with biodegradability, cost-effectiveness and compatibility with circular economy principles. Even though, plant-based biopolymers are good, among them, cactus mucilage (Opuntia Ficus Indica) gained attention for its properties such as heteropolysaccharide composition, water-binding capacity, and its ability to form biofilms and these biofilms can be used for Packing purposes. However, Mucilage structural composition varies from plant to plant and their extraction methods that has been reported by researchers impact the potential of cactus mucilage. Some reinforcement challenges like glycerol plasticizers, inorganic fillers and cross-linking agents like urea is employed, which resulted in visible improvements in flexibility, strength and biodegradability. These enhancements help in increasing the use of cactus mucilage-based films in packaging and agricultural applications.},
        keywords = {biodegradable, biopolymers, mucilage, properties, sustainable},
        month = {March},
        }