A research study published in 2025 in the journal Packaging Technology and Science is set to fundamentally change how we perceive agricultural by-products. The team led by Sérgio Ambrósio Sangarote has demonstrated that a combination of banana pseudostem (BF) fibers and gum Arabic (GA) creates a biocomposite that mechanically outperforms the recycled paper pulp currently used in the packaging industry. The research highlights that agricultural waste is not a burden, but a valuable industrial resource.
In global banana production, for every kilogram of fruit harvested, approximately four kilograms of biomass waste—consisting of pseudostems, leaves, and stalks—are generated. Globally, this results in nearly 2.5 billion tons of waste annually, most of which is currently left to decompose in fields, contributing significantly to methane emissions. The 2025 study aimed to develop a technology to channel this mass into the packaging sector.
Technical Precision: Composition of the Biocomposite
The study utilized fibers extracted from the banana pseudostem via a thermomechanical process, with gum Arabic used as a natural binder. Researchers evaluated seven different formulations, with GA concentrations ranging from 0% to 30% by weight. The composite sheets were produced using hot pressing under constant pressure and temperature.
The quantitative measurements from the 2025 study yielded the following results:
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Basis Weight and Density: The average weight of the samples was 461 g/m2.
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Thermal Stability: The composites remained stable at temperatures below 200 C°, a critical requirement for industrial molding and processing.
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Elastic Modulus: The addition of gum Arabic drastically increased the material’s stiffness, in some cases by up to ten times compared to pure banana fiber.
Mechanical Superiority Over Paper Pulp
One of the most significant findings of the research is that banana fiber-based materials perform better than conventional Recycled Paper Pulp (RPP), which is currently the industry standard for egg cartons and fruit trays.
| Property | Banana Fiber + 25% GA | Recycled Paper Pulp (RPP) |
| Tensile Strength | 3.1 MPa | 2.5 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 20.6 MPa | 4.6 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 1732 MPa | 352 MPa |
As shown by the data, the flexural strength of the banana-based biocomposite is more than four times higher than that of RPP, providing superior structural protection for delicate fruits during transportation.
Water Absorption: A Challenge to Overcome
The 2025 study does not shy away from the current limitations of the technology. Banana fibers are naturally hydrophilic (water-loving), which can be a disadvantage in high-humidity packaging environments.
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Water Absorption Value: The maximum water absorption of the tested composites reached 358.3%.
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Comparison: This value is significantly higher than the 130.5% recorded for traditional paper pulp.
The researchers noted that while this property limits use in wet environments, the material’s mechanical superiority makes it highly suitable for cushioned packaging of dry goods (such as apples or citrus fruits), where breathability and protection are more critical than water resistance.
Sustainability and Economic Outlook
The conclusion of the Sangarote et al. (2025) study is that merging banana pseudostem fibers with gum Arabic is not only technologically viable but environmentally outstanding. Since both components are 100% natural, the resulting packaging is fully biodegradable and compostable.
Industry trends in 2026 suggest that these “waste-to-resource” solutions offer a clear exit strategy from the crisis of plastic-based food packaging. Furthermore, utilizing the banana pseudostem could provide a new source of income for farmers in developing countries, who previously treated this biomass as a disposal cost.
Official Source and Reference:
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Original Research Article (Wiley Online Library, 2025): Evaluation of composites based on banana pseudostem fibers and gum Arabic for cushioned fruit packaging development
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DOI: 10.1002/pts.70023
