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Volume 14
Issue 11
10.3390/pr14111699
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Valorization of Agro-Industrial Waste: Development of Bio-Composite Films from Native Oxalis tuberosa Starch and Keratin Microparticles for Environmental Sustainability

by
Diego E. Peralta-Guevara
1,2,3,4,*,
Fredy Taipe-Pardo
1,3,4,
Yasmine Diaz-Barrera
1,4,
Jhoel Flores-Álvarez
4 and
Sofía Pastor-Mina
5
1
Department of Agroindustrial Engineering, Universidad Nacional José María Arguedas, Andahuaylas 03701, Peru
2
Food Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Universidad Nacional José María Arguedas, Andahuaylas 03701, Peru
3
Nutraceuticals and Biomaterials Research Group, Universidad Nacional José María Arguedas, Andahuaylas 03701, Peru
4
Agroindustrial Research Laboratory, Universidad Nacional José María Arguedas, Andahuaylas 03701, Peru
5
Environmental Engineering, José María Arguedas National University, Andahuaylas 03701, Peru
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Processes 2026, 14(11), 1699; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111699 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 8 February 2026 / Revised: 28 April 2026 / Accepted: 29 April 2026 / Published: 24 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies for the Valorization of Agro-Food Byproducts into Functional Ingredients and Foods)
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Abstract

The buildup of non-biodegradable plastic waste and poor management of agro-industrial by-products have caused a major environmental crisis. The present research addresses the development of novel materials supporting the circular bioeconomy. This study aimed to develop and characterize bio-composite films derived from native Oxalis tuberosa starch and keratin microparticles (KMPs) extracted from cattle horn waste. The experimental methodology employed a 23 factorial design and involved the characterization of the films included the evaluation of physical and optical properties and the identification of functional groups via spectroscopy, mechanical tests, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results revealed significant interactions (p ≤ 0.05). Higher processing temperatures were the main reason for the drop in water activity (aw) and moisture content (MC) levels. Concurrently, the incorporation of KMPs reduced water solubility, increased opacity, and enhanced thermal stability. FTIR analysis confirmed the existence of intermolecular interactions between the hydroxyl and amide functional groups. In conclusion, bio-composites composed based on Oxalis tuberosa starch and keratin microparticles represent a sustainable alternative to mitigate the use of conventional plastics in the industry.
Keywords: Oxalis tuberosa; starch; keratin; microparticles; bio-composite film; FTIR; TGA; valorization of waste Oxalis tuberosa; starch; keratin; microparticles; bio-composite film; FTIR; TGA; valorization of waste
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MDPI and ACS Style

Peralta-Guevara, D.E.; Taipe-Pardo, F.; Diaz-Barrera, Y.; Flores-Álvarez, J.; Pastor-Mina, S. Valorization of Agro-Industrial Waste: Development of Bio-Composite Films from Native Oxalis tuberosa Starch and Keratin Microparticles for Environmental Sustainability. Processes 2026, 14, 1699. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111699

AMA Style

Peralta-Guevara DE, Taipe-Pardo F, Diaz-Barrera Y, Flores-Álvarez J, Pastor-Mina S. Valorization of Agro-Industrial Waste: Development of Bio-Composite Films from Native Oxalis tuberosa Starch and Keratin Microparticles for Environmental Sustainability. Processes. 2026; 14(11):1699. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111699

Chicago/Turabian Style

Peralta-Guevara, Diego E., Fredy Taipe-Pardo, Yasmine Diaz-Barrera, Jhoel Flores-Álvarez, and Sofía Pastor-Mina. 2026. "Valorization of Agro-Industrial Waste: Development of Bio-Composite Films from Native Oxalis tuberosa Starch and Keratin Microparticles for Environmental Sustainability" Processes 14, no. 11: 1699. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111699

APA Style

Peralta-Guevara, D. E., Taipe-Pardo, F., Diaz-Barrera, Y., Flores-Álvarez, J., & Pastor-Mina, S. (2026). Valorization of Agro-Industrial Waste: Development of Bio-Composite Films from Native Oxalis tuberosa Starch and Keratin Microparticles for Environmental Sustainability. Processes, 14(11), 1699. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111699

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