Bioplastic reinforced with parthenocarpic date palm fibers: Characterization and microorganisms involved in degradation

The environment suffers more and more from the accumulation of plastics made by petrochemical rows, which are non-biodegradable. That is why this study aims to develop bio-based films by incorporating fibers concentrate of parthenocarpic date (FCPD) as easily available ingredients. The FCPD based film showed enhanced thickness, water solubility, phenol content and antioxidant capacity. However, the transparency was reduced which enhanced the film opacity by the addition of FCPD. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) showed homogeneity between fibers and the constituents of the film. The addition of FCPD did not change the FTIR peaks in comparison with starch-based film. The hydroxyl index value and water contact angle showed that the hydrophilicity increases with the film FCPD percentage. In addition, the FCPDs have enhanced the microbial biodegradation of the developed films as showed by SEM. Quantitative PCR using specific primers for nine target microbial groups showed that fungi were the predominant agent of the biodegradation. Among bacteria, realtime PCR showed that beta-Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteriodetes and alpha-Proteobacteria groups were involved in film biodegradation.