Sustainable Food Packaging Materials from Agricultural Biomass.

This research focused on developing alternative materials for food packaging to replace single-use plastics. The study led to the creation of a biodegradable food packaging material derived from cellulosic fibers obtained from agricultural biomass. The extraction of natural fibers from plant stems and other agricultural residues involved the removal of pectin, which binds the fibers to the woody inner core of plant materials.

The biodegradable packaging materials were formed by varying the proportions of sisal fibers and maize husk fibers, combined with corn husk pulp. The resulting cellulose-based packaging materials demonstrated promising properties, making them a viable replacement for single-use plastics in food packaging. Additionally, these materials could be molded into various three-dimensional structures to accommodate different packaging needs.

With further refinement, the developed product has the potential for commercialization, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging.

This research developed a textile wastewater treatment system integrating an anaerobic reactor with an intermittently aerated horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland. The study began with an assessment of textile wastewater management in Tanzania, identifying key pollutants and existing treatment inefficiencies. Laboratory-scale experiments using anaerobic batch reactors and intermittently aerated reactors demonstrated a synergistic effect, achieving over 70% color and COD removal under anaerobic conditions. Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification led to significant nitrogen removal, though phosphate removal remained limited.

A pilot system was developed using the optimized conditions. The system achieved higher COD (90.4%) and color (86.5%) removal. Ammonium and nitrates were effectively removed, while conductivity and TDS showed minimal reduction. 

The developed system offers an effective solution for treating textile wastewater to meet regulatory standards. However, further research is needed to improve phosphate, conductivity, and TDS removal. Integrating wastewater recycling and nutrient recovery will enhance the system’s sustainability, making it more suitable for a circular economy.