This work investigates the incorporation of the alcoholic extract of Vismia Guianensis (EAVG) cassava starch, aiming to improve its bioplastic properties. Cassava starch was dissolved in distilled water at the following concentrations with 0.2%, 0.5% and 1.0% EAVG under controlled temperature at the gelatinization point (~70 °C) and then molded to form bioplastics. The prepared samples were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance/Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR/FTIR), Thermogravimetric and Thermal Differential Analysis (TGA-DTA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Spectroscopy Dispersive (SEM/EDS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and mechanical assays, providing insights into chemical composition, thermal stability, crystallinity, surface morphology and mechanical properties. These techniques comprehensively characterized cassava starch bioplastics with EAVG addition, highlighting their enhanced mechanical properties. The results demonstrated that EAVG played an effective role as a plasticizer, increasing the flexibility, resistance and stability of the biofilm that has a thickness of 0.8 mm, and supports a traction of 4.19 to 18.43 MPa. This study justifies EAVG as a promising additive for the production of biocompatible and sustainable materials, suitable for numerous applications in biodegradable plastics. EAVG presents a path forward for the advancement of bioplastics with improved mechanical, thermal and functional properties, with a promising future in terms of their contribution to new developments in these areas.
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