Effect of the addition of cassava fibers on the properties of cassava starch composite films

In this study, cassava bagasse, an agro-industrial waste from the processing of cassava starch, was used in the production of composite cassava starch-based films plasticized with glycerol, using the solvent casting technique. Films were produced with different contents of cassava bagasse and compared concerning their morphology, mechanical properties, contact angle, opacity, water vapor permeability, and water sorption capacity. The cassava bagasse content had a significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) on all the properties investigated when compared to the control film. There was an increase of 543.5% in tensile strength and a reduction of 64.5% in water vapor permeability. These results come from the fibers contained in the cassava bagasse, which reduce the molecular mobility of the starch chains, making the films more resistant and less permeable. The addition of cassava bagasse resulted in less hydrophilic films with contact angles greater than 70° and UV light barrier properties. Furthermore, the obtained films exhibited compact and cohesive structures. Therefore, these results highlighted the appreciation of the use of cassava bagasse waste in the manufacture of sustainable starch-based films with improved properties.