Valorization of Musa acuminata peel waste into pectin-based biopolymer-coated gauze: Physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus

Agricultural waste valorization offers a sustainable approach to reducing environmental burdens while generating value-added biomaterials. In this study, golden banana ( Musa acuminata ) peel waste was utilized as a renewable source of pectin for developing biopolymer-coated gauze. Pectin was extracted using HCl, H 2 SO 4 , and CH 3 COOH at concentrations of 0.5–2.0 N, and the effects of extraction conditions on pectin characteristics and coating properties were systematically investigated. The extracted pectins were characterized in terms of yield, organoleptic properties, methoxyl (MeO) content, anhydrouronic acid (AUA) content, degree of esterification (DE), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The pectins exhibited MeO contents of 4.10–5.41%, AUA contents of 72.0–77.8%, and DE values of 30.53–42.64%, confirming their classification as low-methoxyl pectins (LMPs). The pectins were subsequently applied as coatings on cotton gauze and evaluated for fluid uptake, water vapor permeability rate (WVPR), surface morphology, and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus . HCl extraction produced the highest pectin yield and, at the selected 1.0 N condition, the strongest antibacterial activity against S. aureus , whereas H 2 SO 4 -derived pectin formed comparatively more homogeneous and compact coating layers. The coated gauze exhibited extraction-dependent differences in fluid uptake using 96% ethanol as the test liquid and in water vapor permeability. Overall, the results demonstrate that extraction conditions influenced pectin characteristics and coated-gauze properties, while antibacterial activity at 1.0 N varied among the three extraction acids. Musa acuminata peel waste therefore represents a promising sustainable source of LMP for value-added biopolymer-coated gauze, supporting agricultural waste valorization and circular material utilization.