Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of biodegradable tableware. More particularly, the invention discloses a method for manufacturing biodegradable and water-resistant tableware from banana peduncle waste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The continuous use of disposable plastic tableware is a big environmental problem. Such items are very common in restaurants, takeaways mass catering services, travel food packages and large public events, because of convenience and low cost. Most of these are made from plastics like polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene. They don’t break down naturally and can stay in the environment for hundreds of years. This means plastic tableware keeps piling up in landfills and polluting oceans, harming wildlife and even ending up in our food through microplastics and leaching chemicals from them resulting in very adverse effect on environment and human health.
To address this problem, considerable research has been directed towards finding safe, environment friendly, nontoxic and biodegradable material options to make tableware. Some options now in the existing state of art include molded products made from sugarcane waste (called bagasse), starch-based plastics made from corn or potatoes and pressed bamboo leaves.
Reference is made to patent application no. 202041005012 titled “Nutritional edible cutlery and spoon”. It discloses nutritional, eco-friendly, biodegradable edible cutlery and its method comprising of treating and grounding into fine flour the ingredients comprising of grains sieved to remove the debris for obtaining uniform fine four and mixing the fine flour in equal proportion with equal weight per volume of water along with 4% vegetable oil as lubricating agent added with or without flavors kneaded into a dough. The kneaded dough is made into small balls and rolled into desired shape, size and thickness using rolling pin and shaped in a desired form by cutting the rolled dough using mold template and then baking the shaped dough under the temperature range of 150-180 degree Celsius for 45-60 minutes by placing it inside the baking mold capable of withstanding temperatures up to 270-300 degree Celsius in baking conditions and then cooling and obtaining the finished shapes.
Another reference is made to Patent application no. 201921044364 titled “A method for producing disposable banana leaf cutlery”, disclosing production of disposable banana leaf cutlery. The method of production includes collecting torn/intact banana leaves. Heat-pressing the collected leaves on both sides so it does not lose the original color, which makes the leaf stronger, soaking the heat processed leaf in water to gain flexibility; creation of a thick stack of leaves by using an adhesive to stack multiple layers of leaves; passing the thick stack of the banana leaves through hydraulic or manually operated machine for giving shape to the container which yields a hardcore shaped bowl of pure green banana leaf.
Another reference is made to the research paper titled “Banana fiber: A natural and sustainable bioresource for eco-friendly applications” by Balda et al, which analyzes the extraction methods, mechanical properties and various applications of banana pseudo-stem fibers. This work highlights the fiber's suitability for biodegradable products and reviews efforts to use banana fiber as a substitute for synthetic materials in textiles, composites and absorbent goods.
Another reference is made to Patent application no. 202441075671 titled “Banana fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) tea cup”, disclosing a biodegradable tea cup made from banana fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) composites. Banana fibers, extracted from agricultural waste, are treated and mixed with a polymer matrix selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, polyester resin to create a lightweight, durable and eco-friendly cup. The composite exhibits excellent tensile strength, heat resistance and biodegradability, making it suitable for hot beverages. The manufacturing process involves molding and curing the BFRP composite to achieve the optimal mechanical properties.
Another reference is made to Patent application no. CN103826817B titled “The method of plate and the plate with such as the method production is manufactured with banana stem”. It discloses a method for making plates using the “false stem” (caulo) of the banana plant. The process involves cutting out the inner stalk from the banana stem, slicing it into strips and then pressing or rolling these strips to form sheets or plates without the use of chemical additives or binders. The resulting product is proposed as an ecological material, primarily for decorative purposes.
However, these eco-friendly alternatives also suffer from several practical and commercial drawbacks. Many starch-based or molded fiber solutions require large-scale industrial processing units, which consume significant energy and water resources and are capital-intensive to install and operate. Also, in order to ensure mechanical strength and prevent deformation upon contact with food or moisture, many commercially available biodegradable tableware products rely on synthetic additives such as plastic films or polymer-based coatings to provide reinforcement or water resistance. The use of such additives undermines the biodegradable character of the product and result in microplastic contamination upon disposal. In the case of leaf-based tableware, while these are entirely natural, they often exhibit poor resistance to moisture or heat. Such items may become soft, soggy, or structurally unstable when exposed to warm or wet food, limiting their practical utility and consumer acceptance.
Therefore, there exists a pressing need for a biodegradable tableware that’s sturdy, water resistant, affordable and made only from natural materials. One promising but overlooked material is the banana peduncle the thick stalk left over after harvesting bananas. In banana-growing places like India, this stalk is usually thrown away, even though it’s full of strong, natural fibers and breaks down easily. Because of its strength and abundance, it could be a great material for making eco-friendly tableware, but it’s not yet being used for this purpose. However, there’s currently no well-established process to turn banana peduncle waste into disposable tableware that’s strong and water-resistant or any such methods that combine these fibers with safe, natural binders and coatings in a manner which is practical and scalable.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION OVER THE EXISTING STATE OF ART
The present invention provides a practical and sustainable method for manufacturing biodegradable tableware using banana peduncle waste, which addresses the limitations of the biodegradable alternatives in the existing state of art. The present invention overcomes the need for expensive raw materials or synthetic chemical treatments by utilizing banana peduncle as the primary fiber source, which is a commonly discarded post-harvest agricultural residue. The tableware is formed from a matrix of shredded banana peduncle powder and xanthan gum, a natural, food-safe binder and is molded using thermoforming to create strong and structurally stable product without relying on synthetic resins, chemical adhesives or starch-based plastics that are common in conventional biodegradable products. The present invention uses a ‘lignin based’ hydrophobic coating, imparting water-repellent properties to the molded tableware. This coating is applied through a spray process and dried under mild thermal or ambient conditions, ensuring the tableware can resist moisture without the use of plastic layers or chemical waterproofing agents. By combining the use of waste banana peduncle fiber, natural food-safe binder and coating, the present invention provides an integrated, non-toxic method for manufacturing biodegradable tableware that is technically and environmentally superior to existing solutions, which lack either water resistance or structural consistency or safety.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the limitations in the existing state of the art, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing natural, food safe, biodegradable and water-resistant tableware using banana peduncle waste.
Another object of the present invention is to utilize shredded banana peduncle fibers as the primary raw material for forming a biodegradable matrix suitable for tableware molding.
Yet another object of the present invention is to use natural and food safe binder with banana peduncle fibers to form a moldable composition.
Yet another object of the present invention is to shape the fiber–binder matrix into tableware forms through thermoforming at defined temperature and time conditions.
Yet another object of the present invention is to apply a natural and food-safe hydrophobic coating to the molded tableware articles to impart water-repellent properties without the use of synthetic or plastic films.
Yet another object of the present invention is to prepare a natural and safe hydrophobic coating solution by extracting lignin and dissolving it in a green solution.
Yet another object of the present invention is to spray-coat the molded tableware with the lignin-based hydrophobic solution and dry the coated articles under thermal or ambient conditions to stabilize the hydrophobic layer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a biodegradable and water-resistant tableware using banana peduncle waste. The method comprises collection, washing and oven drying of banana peduncles, followed by mechanical shredding to obtain fine fiber. The shredded fiber is mixed with xanthan gum, a natural and food safe binder, in the range of 2% to 5% by weight along with water to form a moldable biodegradable matrix. This matrix is poured into tableware-shaped molds and thermoformed at a temperature between 100°C and 120°C for 10 to 15 minutes to produce solid tableware articles. The molded tableware is trimmed or polished to achieve a smooth finish.
A lignin-based hydrophobic coating is prepared by extracting lignin and dissolving it in a green solvent (e.g., ethanol-water mix). The coating is applied to the molded tableware by spray coating and dried at 40°C to 60°C or under ambient conditions to render the tableware water-resistant. The coated tableware is inspected for uniformity and moisture resistance and packed in biodegradable, moisture-resistant packaging. The method provides an eco-friendly, structurally stable, water-repellent and non-toxic tableware made entirely from naturally derived materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates the steps for manufacturing biodegradable and water-resistant tableware from banana peduncle waste.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND NON-LIMITING EXAMPLES
While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. However, one of the ordinary skills in art will readily recognize that the present disclosure including the definitions listed here below are not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded with the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references. Additionally, a reference to the singular includes a reference to the plural unless otherwise stated or inconsistent with the disclosure herein.
A person of ordinary skill in art will readily ascertain that the illustrated steps detailed in the figures and here below are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the way functions are performed. It is to be noted that the drawings are to be regarded as being schematic representations and elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, the various elements are represented such that their function and general purpose becomes apparent to a person skilled in the art.
The present invention discloses a method for producing biodegradable and water-resistant tableware using banana peduncle waste. The invention converts an agricultural by-product into a usable molded item through a defined and repeatable process. The method involves preparation of raw material from the banana peduncle waste, formulation of a biodegradable matrix using the waste, molding the waste into usable water-resistant tableware, followed by thermoforming, hydrophobic treatment and final finishing of the tableware.
MATERIALS USED:
The materials required for implementing the method of the present invention include the following:
Banana Peduncle (101):
The banana peduncle is the stalk that supports the banana bunch and is typically discarded after harvest. It may be used in either dry or wet condition. In this invention, the peduncle is used as the primary fibrous raw material. It is first collected, then washed, oven-dried (102) and mechanically shredded to obtain fine fibrous powder (103) suitable for forming a moldable biodegradable matrix.
Xanthan Gum (104):
Xanthan gum is used as the natural, food-safe and biodegradable binder in the matrix formulation. It is a food-safe, natural polysaccharide derived from microbial fermentation. In the present invention, xanthan gum is added in the range of 2% to 5% by weight of the total dry fiber content.
Lignin (111):
Lignin is used to prepare a hydrophobic coating solution (110). It is dissolved in a suitable green solvent, such as an ethanol–water mixture, to enable spray application (113). The lignin is dissolved in an eco-friendly solvent system, which may include ethanol mixed with water, to facilitate uniform coating application. The solvent evaporates upon drying, leaving a hydrophobic lignin film on the surface of the molded tableware (108).
Water (105):
Water is added during biodegradable matrix preparation to achieve the desired consistency of the dough formed from banana peduncle powder and xanthan gum.
SEQUENTIAL STEPS OF THE METHOD:
The method for manufacturing biodegradable and water-resistant tableware using banana peduncle waste comprises the following sequential steps, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
Step 1: Raw material collection and preprocessing
Banana peduncles are collected from agricultural sources post-harvest and may be either torn or intact and may be in a dry or wet condition when collected. These are then washed to remove any dirt or surface contamination. The cleaned peduncles are oven-dried at approximately 55 to 65°C (102) to remove residual moisture. Once dried, the banana peduncles are mechanically shredded (103) into fine fibrous powder using a suitable grinding or shredding machine. This powder serves as the fibrous base material for the biodegradable matrix (106).
Step 2: Formulation of biodegradable matrix
The powdered banana peduncle fiber (103) is weighed and mixed with xanthan gum, which acts as a natural, food safe and biodegradable binder. The xanthan gum is added in the range of 2% to 5% by weight relative to the dry fiber powder. Water (105) is gradually added to this mixture while stirring to form a homogeneous, pliable dough-like matrix (106). The water facilitates the uniform dispersion of xanthan gum and fiber, allowing the dough to hold shape during molding. The resulting composition is pliable and maintains its shape, suitable for being placed into molds.
Step 3: Molding and Thermoforming
The prepared dough matrix (106) is poured into tableware-shaped molds, which may include cavities shaped like plates, spoons, forks, bowls, etc. The molds are then subjected to heat in a thermoforming machine (107) at a temperature range of 100°C to 120°C. The thermoforming process is carried out for a period of approximately 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the matrix to solidify and acquire the desired shape and strength. After heating, the molded tableware (108) is demolded and allowed to cool under ambient conditions.
Step 4: Surface Finishing
Once cooled, the molded tableware articles (108) are trimmed or polished (109) to remove any excess material or rough edges. This ensures the final product has a smooth finish suitable for safe handling and consumer use.
Step 5: Preparation of Lignin coating solution
Lignin (111) is extracted using alkali-based method. The extracted lignin is dissolved in a green solvent (112) such as an ethanol–water mixture, which includes an ethanol–water mixture, to form a uniform lignin-based coating solution (110). When applied on the dried and finished articles, the solution act as a hydrophobic layer.
Step 6: Application of Lignin coating
The lignin-based coating solution (110) is applied to the molded tableware (108) using spray coating (113) method. After coating, the product is dried (114) either thermally at 40°C to 60°C or through ambient air-drying for a for a suitable duration, typically around 30 to 60 minutes. The drying process causes the solvent to evaporate, leaving behind a water-repellent coating. This step imparts hydrophobic properties and strength to the tableware, allowing it to hold liquids and moist foods without rapid degradation.
Step 7: Final finishing and packaging
The coated tableware (108) is inspected for uniformity and coverage of the lignin layer (110). A hydrophobicity check may be performed (e.g., via contact angle >90° observation). The final articles are then packed in biodegradable, moisture-resistant packaging (115) materials to preserve the quality of the product until use.

The method of the present invention comprising sequential steps of raw material preprocessing, matrix preparation using banana peduncle fiber (101) and xanthan gum (104), thermoforming-based molding, surface finishing, application of a lignin-based hydrophobic coating and final inspection and biodegradable packaging (115), enables the manufacture of functional, food safe, biodegradable and water-resistant tableware (100) from agricultural waste. Each stage in the method contributes to achieving structural form, strength, moisture resistance and environmental compatibility without the use of synthetic polymers or toxic additives. The present invention thus provides a practical and sustainable manufacturing method for producing water-resistant biodegradable tableware from natural materials.
, Claims:1. A method for manufacturing biodegradable and water-resistant tableware (100) using banana peduncle waste (101), the method comprising:
 collecting banana peduncle (101);
 washing the banana peduncle and oven drying it at 55°C to 65°C to remove moisture (102);
 mechanically shredding the dried banana peduncle to obtain fine fibrous powder (103);
 mixing the shredded banana peduncle powder with xanthan gum (104) in a proportion of 2% to 5% by weight and water (105) to form a moldable matrix (106);
 pouring the moldable matrix (106) into tableware-shaped molds and subjecting it to heat treatment at 100°C to 120°C for 10 to 15 minutes using thermoforming (107);
 removing the molded tableware (108) from the molds and allowing it to cool under ambient conditions;
 performing trimming or polishing on the molded tableware (108) for surface finishing (109);
 preparing a hydrophobic coating solution (110) by dissolving lignin (111) in a green solvent comprising an ethanol–water mixture (112);
 applying the lignin coating solution (110) to the molded tableware (108) by spray coating (113);
 drying the coated tableware at 40°C to 60°C or under ambient air-drying conditions (114); and
 packing the finished tableware in biodegradable moisture-resistant packaging (115),
wherein the tableware (100) obtained by said method is biodegradable, water-resistant, food-safe, structurally stable, strong, non-toxic and composed entirely of naturally derived materials without use of any synthetic polymers or chemical additives.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the banana peduncle (101) is used in shredded form (103) after drying (102).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein xanthan gum (104) is used as the biodegradable binder in the matrix (106).

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lignin coating (110) is applied to impart water-resistant or hydrophobic properties to the molded tableware (108).

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lignin (111) used in the coating is extracted using an alkali-based method.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating is applied by spraying (113) the lignin solution (110) onto the surface of the molded tableware (108)

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drying of the coated tableware is performed at 40°C to 60°C for a duration of 30 to 60 minutes or under ambient conditions (114).

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded tableware (108) is finished by trimming and polishing (109) to achieve a smooth surface before coating.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the finished tableware (100) is packed in biodegradable packaging material (115) that is moisture-resistant.