Development and Application of Durian Seed Waste as Food Packaging : An Approach Toward Circular Economy / Siti Nur Asyifa Nazihah binti Andey Asmara

Thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Science in Food Science and Technology Universiti Teknologi Brunei

The escalating global crisis of plastic pollution calls for innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce reliance on conventional plastics. This study focuses on the development and application of biodegradable films derived from durian seed, assessing their potential for food packaging applications, including edible film and intelligent pH sensing film, in alignment with circular economy principles and waste valorisation. Durian seed-based films were formulated using varying concentrations of durian seed solution (2-10 wt%). All films were examined for their mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties. The optimal film was identified at 10 wt% and exhibited a thickness of 0.335 ±0.068 mm, tensile strength of 0.24±0.01 MPa and elongation at break of 158.40±50.71%. A hydrophobicity angle of 93.73 ± 0.65° indicated significant water resistance. Thermal analysis confirmed increased heat stability at higher concentration, while morphological studies revealed uniform film dispersion with no cracks and voids. The film also demonstrated an opacity value of 0.81 mm⁻¹, making it suitable for the application of biodegradable and edible packaging. For edible film application, food samples wrapped in durian-seed based films exhibited significantly lower increases in moisture content compared with commercial food wrappers. To enhance functionality and scalability, butterfly pea flower extract was incorporated as a secondary material for pH-responsive application. The durian seed-based pH sensing film exhibited visually perceptible colour changes between pH 1-12. During the storage of fish samples over 5 days, the colour of the film changed from blue to greyish green with an increase of pH from 6.8 to 9.3 which was a clear indication of spoilage of food material. The optimised durian seed starch film incorporated with carboxymethyl cellulose demonstrated promising properties, but it cannot fully replace conventional packaging, hence further refinement is needed to improve reliability. Overall, this research underscores the dual benefits of reducing food waste and combating plastic pollution, offering a biodegradable alternative for food packaging applications.

Thesis (Master) - Universiti Teknologi Brunei, 2025

Includes bibliographical references from page 115-135