Banana waste valorisation and the development of biodegradable biofilms

Abstract

Bananas (Musa paradisiaca) are among the most important tropical and subtropical crops, playing a vital role in global nutrition, food security, and regional economies. However, their large-scale cultivation generates substantial biomass waste-including rhizomes, pseudostems, leaves, rachis, fruit-bunch-stems, and peels-which remains underutilized. This review addresses the growing research need to valorize banana agro-waste, particularly green bananas and peels, for the development of biodegradable biofilms as sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging. The novelty of this work lies in its focused examination of banana-derived biopolymers, such as starch and fibre, and their capacity to form eco-friendly, mechanically robust, and biodegradable films suitable for food preservation. In addition to packaging applications, the review explores the broader multifunctionality of banana plant components across textiles, medicine, and bio-based industries. By synthesizing current literature, this article presents a comprehensive overview of banana waste utilization for both economic and environmental sustainability. It also identifies existing research gaps and outlines future directions to optimize biofilm formulations and encourage holistic, waste-minimizing approaches in banana production. Ultimately, this review highlights the untapped potential of banana waste as a valuable resource for advancing circular bioeconomy and sustainable innovation.