Ecohusk Sustainable Coconut Fiber Disposables

Abstract

Now a days, many individuals are dependent on Styrofoam which is a type of polystyrene acknowledged for its high thermal protection, lightweight, and manufacturing convenience. Conversely, Styrofoam exhibits numerous challenges, as it has a negative impact on the environment as well as human health. Styrene, a chemical compound used to make Styrofoam contains carcinogenic agent that cannot be biodegraded. Therefore, this study provides insight into biodegradable and eco-friendly solution using coconut husk, an agricultural byproduct, often discarded as waste, repurposed into a high-value product, associated with waste reduction and a circular economy. To validate its efficiency, proximate analysis of ecohusk crockery was done which illustrates that it contains 1.088% moisture content at 140°C, while the ash content was 14.15%, fat content to be 0.247%, where as crude protein was 1.23%, and total carbohydrate content was assessed as 83.285. In addition, mechanical testing such as compression strength was observed 1-16Mpa, while burst strength test shown a rupture force of 2.5- 4.0 kg/cm2, tensile strength test displayed that the crockery can bear a pressure of 15-25Mpa without distortion as well it exhibits no fractures when dropped. While the physical properties such as grammage and thickness were measured at 1.5 ±0.05 and 200g/m2, indicating the product density with the opacity of 92%. The water leakage test showed no leakage for 3 hours and the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) was measured 500g/m2/day. For the broader investigation physiochemical analysis was done in which the cobb test showed the water absorption of 30g/m2, solubility of 22%, whereas the biodegradability test affirmed that it can degrade within 7 days. The next phase involved, uncovering a variety of test results of the DPPH, the antioxidant activity of ecohusk husk crockery is 28.97%, 41.74%, 56.97%, 71.70%, 89.37% at concentration of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%. The studied data of total phenolic content (TPC) of crockery is 116.75 mg GAE/g and the total flavonoid content (TFC) of ecohusk crockery was reported 573.5 mg QE/g. As demand for greener alternatives grows, coconut husk crockery holds great promise for advancing the future of industries.