Synergistic Valorization of Cassava Processing Byproducts: Improving Extruded Biocomposites Properties Through Peel Fiber Incorporation

This study introduces a novel approach to valorize cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) byproducts (flour, bagasse, and peel) through twin‐screw extrusion to produce biocomposite sheets. This research investigates the effect of varying ratios of flour, bagasse, and peel content on the resulting sheet properties. Cassava peel, typically considered a waste product, was found to significantly enhance material performance. At lower concentrations, the peel acted as a reinforcing agent, improving tensile strength (up to 2.86 MPa) and decreasing both water vapor (until 1.04 × 10 −12 g Pa −1 ·s −1 ·m −1 ) and oxygen (until 0.71 × 10 −8 cm 3 ·m −1 ·day −1 ·Pa −1 ) permeabilities, which are crucial for some coating applications. These improvements are attributed to favorable interactions between the lignocellulosic components of the peel and the agglutinant matrix of starch‐bagasse, as confirmed by SEM and FTIR analyses. A higher peel content induced a coated morphology, which affected both mechanical and barrier properties. The results also indicate that higher peel concentration leads to higher solubility of the sheets (up to 63.16 g/100 g of sheet d.b.). These peel‐based formulations demonstrate superior performance compared to pure cassava starch sheets and starch‐bagasse composites, offering a scalable and environmentally sound method for transforming agricultural waste into biopolymers with high value, contributing to a circular bioeconomy, and representing a significant advancement in sustainable materials for various applications, including product packaging.