Utilization of coffee pulp for the development of active biodegradable films with antioxidant properties

Plastic pollution and the accumulation of agricultural waste are two environmental problems. Coffee pulp, one of the most common and underutilized byproducts of the coffee process, is rich in antioxidants and can be used as a functional additive for biodegradable films. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of coffee pulp extract at different concentrations [1, 5, and 10% w/v] on alginate films. The results showed that adding the extract had significant effects [p < 0.05] on color and moisture content; barrier properties and elongation decreased, while tensile strength and antioxidant capacity increased with increasing coffee pulp extract content. SEM analysis revealed a rough surface. This biotechnological innovation offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic plastic and adds value to the coffee value chain.