Evaluation of the Biodegradability of Plastic Polymers Made From Residual Cocoa Husk (Theobroma cacao L.) and Cassava Starch (Manihot esculenta), Lima, Peru

The present study evaluated the biodegradability of biopolymers produced from cassava starch (Manihot esculenta) reinforced with lignocellulosic particles from cocoa pod husks (Theobroma cacao L.). The biopolymers were manufactured by thermocompression, incorporating 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% cocoa husk content. Mechanical properties were determined through tensile tests (ASTM D-638), and biodegradability was assessed under controlled composting conditions (ASTM D5338-15) using a respirometric system to quantify CO₂ release. The results showed that the addition of cocoa particles significantly improved the mechanical properties, reaching maximum values in the formulation with 10% content (T2), with a tensile strength of 1.95 MPa and an elastic modulus of 51.88 MPa. Regarding biodegradation, T2 achieved 18.43% biodegradation after 42 days. Comparative bibliographic analysis confirms that composting accelerates degradation compared to soil burial and that material composition influences the kinetics of the process.