Experimental study demonstrates rapid degradation and soil enrichment by PBAT-tamarind bioplastic films, highlighting their viability as sustainable agricultural mulches.
Key Points
To develop biodegradable agricultural mulch films from poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) blended with tamarind kernel powder and evaluate their structural, mechanical, and soil-enriching properties.
Fabricated bioplastic films from PBAT and tamarind kernel powder (TKP) with 5 wt% plasticizer using blown-film extrusion.
Characterized chemical compatibility, morphology, tensile modulus, and melt flow index using FTIR, SEM, and thermal-mechanical testing.
Evaluated film antioxidant capacity and tracked in-soil degradation and macronutrient changes over a 65-day mulching period.
TKP incorporation improved film thermal stability and tensile modulus while reducing the melt flow index due to restricted polymer chain mobility.
PBAT/TKP30 films exhibited elevated antioxidant activity (26.049 ± 0.056) derived from the natural polyphenolic content of tamarind kernel powder.
Mulch films underwent degradation within 65 days, simultaneously raising soil macronutrient levels through the breakdown of inherent proteins and minerals.