Cassava Peel Starch Films Reinforced with Citric Acid-Modified Sugarcane Bagasse Cellulose

Cassava peel and sugarcane bagasse are promising agro-industrial residues that can serve as renewable resources for biodegradable packaging. This study evaluated films made from cassava peel starch and reinforced with citric-acid-treated sugarcane bagasse cellulose. We prepared twelve formulations by combining cellulose concentrations of 0, 2, 4, and 6% with citric acid levels of 2, 4, and 6%. The film-forming mixtures were produced by solution casting with glycerol as a plasticizer. We assessed film properties, including thickness, tensile strength, elongation, water absorption, soil-burial biodegradability, and FTIR functional groups. Film thickness ranged from 0.19 to 0.28 mm, while tensile strength ranged from 4.80 to 7.92 MPa. S3A2, containing 4% cellulose and 4% citric acid, showed the highest tensile strength, with 17.20% elongation, 38.60% water absorption, and 82.80% biodegradability. Higher citric acid levels generally reduced water absorption but also decreased elongation and biodegradation rate. The lowest water absorption, 35.20%, occurred in S3A3, while the highest biodegradability, 86.30%, was recorded for S4A1. FTIR spectra confirmed a polysaccharide-rich matrix, although a distinct ester band at 1720–1740 cm?¹ was not observed. These results demonstrate the combined influence of cellulose reinforcement and citric acid. Overall, S3A2 showed the most balanced performance and merits further packaging-related optimization. Valorizing cassava peel and sugarcane bagasse also supports SDGs 9, 12, and 13 through waste utilization and sustainable material development. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureSDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionSDG 13: Climate Action