Bio-organic fertilizer production from industrial waste and insightful analysis on release kinetics.

The present study has been designed to utilize industrial and agricultural solid waste for NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) bio-organic fertilizer production and its optimized use. The collagenic material of wet blue leather (WBL) from leather industry was used as nitrogen source, after H3PO4 acid-mediated chromium removal. Chicken meat-bone meal (CMBM) and rice husk ash (RHA) are abundantly available locally, had used as P, K, and Ca sources. The presence of N, P, K, Ca in the produced bio-organic NPK fertilizer were 10.76, 11.03, 3.41, 13.64, respectively as per mixing ratio of ingredients. In this study it was effect on the chili plant (Capsicum annuum L.) growth and revealed 1.15 and 1.03 fold higher plant growth, 1.40 and 1.18 fold higher total chlorophyll content than untreated soil (control), and chemical fertilizer. The liberation of fertilizers components from their source, transport of fertilizer components in the soil, and absorption in plant roots have been studied using mathematical models indicating the optimum fertilizer use for better productivity and to reduce loss of extra fertilizer and eutrophication. The formulation showed excellent water retention capability (3.2 L/kg), which might increase soil water availability to the plants and eventually reduce water demand and labour cost. DNA intercalation study proved there is no harm to use this fertilizer.

Interlining Cr(VI) remediation mechanism by a novel bacterium Pseudomonas brenneri isolated from coalmine wastewater.

A bioremedial approach was investigated on the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using a novel chromium reducing bacteria isolated from coalmine wastewater. Cr(VI) removal efficacy of the bacterium was determined in a series of batch studies under the influence of various parameters viz., pH (1-7), temperature (20-40 °C), initial metal concentration (1-150 mg/L), agitation speed (80-150 rpm) and substrate concentration (1-5 mg/L). Oxygen involvement in the removal process was determined by different incubation conditions. Substrate consumption and its resultant biomass generation were considered for determining the viability of the microbe under varied metal concentration. The microbial isolate survived in Cr(VI) tainted solution with initial concentration of 1-140 mg/L, among which maximum remediation was found in 60 mg/L Cr(VI) loaded solution. The bacterial species also survived in other metal solution viz., Fe(II), As(V), Cu(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Mg(II), Mn(II) apart from Cr(VI). Multiple approaches were tested to facilitate understanding of the bacterial Cr(VI) removal mechanism. The bacteria accumulated metal ions in the exponential growth phase both on and within the cell. Underlying latent factors which governed the bacterial growth and its removal activity was determined with the classical Monod equation. The isolated bacterium also survived in the bimetallic solutions with significant removal of Cr(VI). The microbial species isolated from mining area was identified as Pseudomonas brenneri by 16s rRNA molecular characterization. Hence, the isolated novel bacterium illustrated promising involvement towards bio-treatment of Cr(VI) laden wastewater.

Optimization of Fe2+ Removal from Coal Mine Wastewater using Activated Biochar of Colocasia esculenta.

The present study investigates the sorptive removal of Fe2+ from simulated coal mine waste water using steam activated biochar (SABC) developed from the roots of Colocasia esculenta. The process was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) under the influence of pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage and contact time at a constant shaking speed of 180 rpm with an initial concentration of 3 mg/L. The uptake performance of the biosorbent was assessed following a 24 full factorial experimental matrix developed by central composite design approach. Adsorbent was characterised by SEM, EDAX, XRD and B.E.T surface area analyzer. Maximum removal of 72.96% of Fe2+ was observed at pH 7.75, temperature 37.5 °C, adsorbent dosage 1.5 g/L for a time period of 180 mins. The study suggested that SABC prepared from roots of Colocasia esculenta could be used as an efficient and cost effective sorbent for removal of Fe2+ from coal mine wastewater.

Microbial remediation of fluoride-contaminated water via a novel bacterium Providencia vermicola (KX926492).

The present study emphasizes on the isolation, identification and characterization of a fluoride-resistant bacteria from contaminated groundwater of a severely affected rural area. The isolate was investigated for its possible role towards bioremediation of fluoride. Bacterial growth was determined by various carbon and nitrogen sources. Influence of parameters like initial fluoride concentration (5-25 mg L-1), pH (3-9) and temperature (15-42 °C) on fluoride removal by Providencia sp. KX926492 were also examined. SEM, EDX and FTIR were performed to analyse the surface texture, elemental composition and functional groups of the bacterium involved in the uptake of fluoride ions. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to identify the isolate. Plackett-Burman design was employed to optimize the various parametric conditions of fluoride removal. Maximum removal of 82% was achieved when the initial fluoride concentration was 20 mgL-1 at pH 7 and 37 °C temperature with dextrose and nitrogen concentrations of 5 and 4 g per 50 mL respectively. Results suggested that Providencia vermicola (KX926492) could be a potential bacterium in removal of fluoride from contaminated water.

Biosorptive uptake of ibuprofen by steam activated biochar derived from mung bean husk: Equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, modeling and eco-toxicological studies.

The present study explores the use of steam activated mung bean husk biochar (SA-MBHB) as a potential sorbent for the removal of non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen from aqueous solution. SA-MBHB was characterized by SEM, FTIR, BET, TGA, point of zero charge (pHPZC) and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The relation between removal percentages of ibuprofen and parameters such as adsorbent dose (0.05 g-250 g), contact time (5 min-210 min), pH (2-10), speed of agitation (40-280 rpm), temperature (293-308 K) and initial ibuprofen concentration (5-100 ppm) was investigated and optimized by a series of batch sorption experiments. The optimized conditions achieved were: adsorbent dose 0.1 g/L, agitation speed 200 rpm, pH 2, initial ibuprofen concentration 20 mg L(-1), equilibrium time 120 min and temperature 20 °C for more than 99% adsorptive removal of ibuprofen. The equilibrium adsorption data were well fitted into the Langmuir isotherm model while kinetic data suggested the removal process to follow pseudo second order reaction. The adsorption phenomena were optimized and simulated by using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). Effect of process variables viz. dose, agitation speed and pH on the sorbed amount of IBP was studied through a 2(3) full factorial central composite design (CCD). The comparative analysis was done for ibuprofen removal by constructing ANN model training using same experimental matrix of CCD. The growth of Scenedesmus abundans was also observed to be affected by the IBP solution whereas the biochar treated with IBP solution did not significantly affect the growth of the Scenedesmus abundans. The results revealed that SA-MBHB could be a cost-effective, efficient and non-hazardous adsorbent for the removal of ibuprofen from aqueous solution.

Towards sorptive eradication of pharmaceutical micro-pollutant ciprofloxacin from aquatic environment: A comprehensive review.

Antibiotics are widely prioritized pharmaceuticals frequently adopted in medication for addressing numerous ailments of humans and animals. However, the non-judicious disposal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) with concentration levels exceeding threshold limit in an aqueous environment has been the matter of growing concern nowadays. CIP is found in various waterways with appreciable mobility due to its limited decay in solidified form. Hence, the effective eradication strategy of this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory antibiotic from aqueous media is pivotal for preventing the users and the biosphere from their hazardous impacts. Reportedly several customary techniques like reverse osmosis, precipitation, cross-filtration, nano-filtration, ion exchange, microbial remediation, and adsorption have been employed to eliminate CIP from water. Out of them, adsorption is ascertained to be a potential method because of lesser preliminary investment costs, ease of operation, greater efficiency, less energy usage, reduced chemical and biological slurry production, and ready availability of precursor materials. Towards remediation of ciprofloxacin-laden water, plenty of researchers have used different adsorbents. However, the present-day challenge is opting the promising sorbent and its application towards industrial scale-up which is vital to get reviewed. In this article, adsorbents of diverse origins are reviewed in terms of their performances in CIP removal. The review stresses the impact of various factors on sorptive assimilation of CIP, adsorption kinetics, isotherms, mechanism of ionic interaction, contrivances for CIP detection, cost estimation and reusability assessments of adsorbents also that may endorse the next-generation investigators to decide the efficacious, environmental appealing and cost-competitive adsorbents for effective riddance of CIP from wastewater.

Beyond the cradle - Amidst microplastics and the ongoing peril during pregnancy and neonatal stages: A holistic review.

Advancements in research concerning the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in human blood, sputum, urine, and breast milk samples have piqued the interest of the scientific community, prompting further investigation. MPs present in the placenta, amniotic fluid, and meconium raise concerns about interference with embryonic development, leading to preeclampsia, stillbirth, preterm birth, and spontaneous abortion. The challenges posed by MPs extend beyond pregnancy, affecting the digestive, reproductive, circulatory, immune, and central nervous systems. This has spurred scientists to examine the origins of MPs in distinct environmental layers, including air, water, and soil. These risks continue after birth, as neonates are continuously exposed to MPs through everyday items such as breast milk, cow milk and infant milk powder, as well as plastic-based products like feeding bottles and breast milk storage bags. It is the need of the hour to strike a balance amidst lifestyle changes, alternative choices to traditional plastic products, raising awareness about plastic-related health risks, and fostering collaboration between the scientific community and policymakers. This review aims to provide fresh insights into potential sources of MP pollution, with a specific focus on pregnancy and neonates. It is the first compilation of its kind so far that includes critical studies on recently reported discoveries.

Comparative life cycle cost analysis of bio-valorized magnetite nanocatalyst for biodiesel production: Modeling, optimization, kinetics and thermodynamic study.

An active, high surface area, recyclable, magnetic, basic, iron oxide-based nanocatalyst was developed from banana leaves waste and used for microwave-assisted transesterification of soybean oil to biodiesel. According to the Hammett indicator, the catalyst has a high total basicity of 15 < H < 18.4. After optimization through the response surface methodology, the reaction allows 96.5 % biodiesel yield in the presence of 24:1 methanol to soybean oil molar ratio, 6 wt% BLW@Fe3O4, 0.5 h at 65 °C. The magnetic nature of the catalyst improves reusability for up to 6 cycles. Thermodynamic analyses showed that transesterification of soybean oil to biodiesel is an endothermic reaction. Moreover, the catalyst has the potential to reduce biodiesel production costs by utilizing abundant biomass waste materials. The calculated cost for 1 kg of catalyst is $1.14, while the biodiesel's cost per kg produced in this work is merely $1.05, showing high commercial viability.

Biodegradation of microplastics: Advancement in the strategic approaches towards prevention of its accumulation and harmful effects.

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles in a size ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm in diameter, and are formed by the breakdown of plastics from different sources. They are emerging environmental pollutants, and pose a great threat to living organisms. Improper disposal, inadequate recycling, and excessive use of plastic led to the accumulation of MP in the environment. The degradation of MP can be done either biotically or abiotically. In view of that, this article discusses the molecular mechanisms that involve bacteria, fungi, and enzymes to degrade the MP polymers as the primary objective. As per as abiotic degradation is concerned, two different modes of MP degradation were discussed in order to justify the effectiveness of biotic degradation. Finally, this review is concluded with the challenges and future perspectives of MP biodegradation based on the existing research gaps. The main objective of this article is to provide the readers with clear insight, and ideas about the recent advancements in MP biodegradation.

Efficacy of exopolysaccharide in dye-laden wastewater treatment: A comprehensive review.

The discharge of dye-laden wastewater into the water streams causes severe water and soil pollution, which poses a global threat to aquatic ecosystems and humans. A diverse array of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae produce exopolysaccharides (EPS) of different compositions and exhibit great bioflocculation potency to sustainably eradicate dyes from water bodies. Nanomodified chemical composites of EPS enable their recyclability during dye-laden wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, the selection of potent EPS-producing strains and physiological parameters of microbial growth and the remediation process could influence the removal efficiency of EPS. This review will intrinsically discuss the fundamental importance of EPS from diverse microbial origins and their nanomodified chemical composites, the mechanisms in EPS-mediated bioremediation of dyes, and the parametric influences on EPS-mediated dye removal through sorption/bioflocculation. This review will pave the way for designing and adopting futuristic green and sustainable EPS-based bioremediation strategies for dye-laden wastewater in situ and ex situ.

Comprehensive review on recent trends and perspectives of natural exo-polysaccharides: Pioneering nano-biotechnological tools.

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs), originating from various microbes, and mushrooms, excel in their conventional role in bioremediation to showcase diverse applications emphasizing nanobiotechnology including nano-drug carriers, nano-excipients, medication and/or cell encapsulation, gene delivery, tissue engineering, diagnostics, and associated treatments. Acknowledged for contributions to adsorption, nutrition, and biomedicine, EPSs are emerging as appealing alternatives to traditional polymers, for biodegradability and biocompatibility. This article shifts away from the conventional utility to delve deeply into the expansive landscape of EPS applications, particularly highlighting their integration into cutting-edge nanobiotechnological methods. Exploring EPS synthesis, extraction, composition, and properties, the discussion emphasizes their structural diversity with molecular weight and heteropolymer compositions. Their role as raw materials for value-added products takes center stage, with critical insights into recent applications in nanobiotechnology. The multifaceted potential, biological relevance, and commercial applicability of EPSs in contemporary research and industry align with the nanotechnological advancements coupled with biotechnological nano-cleansing agents are highlighted. EPS-based nanostructures for biological applications have a bright future ahead of them. Providing crucial information for present and future practices, this review sheds light on how eco-friendly EPSs derived from microbial biomass of terrestrial and aquatic environments can be used to better understand contemporary nanobiotechnology for the benefit of society.

A critical review on remediation of microplastics using microalgae from aqueous system.

Microplastics (MPs) are deemed to be a global concern due to their harmful negative effects on the aquatic environment and human beings. MPs have a significant impact on both fresh and marine water ecosystems. In many countries, there is concern about the deleterious consequences of MPs on human health due to the presence of MPs in aquatic life for higher intake of marine food (fish and shellfish). Exposure to MPs causes fish to suffer from growth retardation, neurotoxicity, and behavioural abnormalities and it affects human as well. It causes oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and immune system disruption after being ingested to these contaminated fish in human body. Due to these reasons, it has become imperative to find ways to resolve this problem. This review paper represents a pioneering endeavor by consolidating comprehensive information on microplastic-polluted Indian riverine ecosystems and effective MPs removal methods into a single, cohesive document. It meticulously evaluates the principles, removal efficiency, benefits, and drawbacks of various techniques, aiming to identify the most optimal solution. Furthermore, this paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the interesting interactions between MPs and microalgae, delving into the intricate processes of hetero-aggregation. Additionally, it shines a spotlight on the latest advancements in understanding the efficacy of microalgae in removing MPs, showcasing recent breakthroughs in this field of research. Moreover, the work goes beyond conventional assessments by elucidating the characteristics of MPs and exploring diverse influencing parameters that impact MPs removal by microalgae and also addresses the potential future aspects. This thorough investigation uncovers important factors that could significantly contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable remediation strategies.

Microwave-assisted biodiesel production using bio-waste catalyst and process optimization using response surface methodology and kinetic study.

Providing sufficient energy supply and reducing the effects of global warming are serious challenges in the present decades. In recent years, biodiesel has been viewed as an alternative to exhaustible fossil fuels and can potentially reduce global warming. Here we report for the first time the production of biodiesel from oleic acid (OA) as a test substrate using porous sulfonic acid functionalized banana peel waste as a heterogeneous catalyst under microwave irradiation. The morphology and chemical composition of the catalyst was investigated using Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Scanning electron microscopy- Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The SEM-EDX analysis of the catalyst revealed the presence of sulfur in 4.62 wt% amounting to 1.4437 mmol g-1 sulfonic acids, which is accorded to the high acidity of the reported catalyst. Using response surface methodology (RSM), through a central composite design (CCD) approach, 97.9 ± 0.7% biodiesel yield was observed under the optimized reaction conditions (methanol to OA molar ratio of 20:1, the temperature of 80 °C, catalyst loading of 8 wt% for 55 min). The catalyst showed excellent stability on repeated reuse and can be recycled at least 5 times without much activity loss.

Assessment of algal biomass towards removal of Cr(VI) from tannery effluent: a sustainable approach.

The current investigation focuses on a systematic study of application of two dried algal biomass (i.e., Nostoc sp. and Turbinaria vulgaris) in removal of Cr(VI) from synthetic solution as well as tannery industrial wastewater. The optimized conditions for Cr(VI) removal are nearly same for the both the biosorbents (i.e., pH 2.8, initial Cr(VI) concentration 100 mg L-1, biomass dosage of 1.2g L-1, contact time 120 and 110 min). Nostoc sp. (qmax=23.94mg g-1) was observed to possess a superior removal capability when compared to Turbinaria vulgaris (qmax=21.8mg g-1). Desorption studies were performed with four different desorbing agents. Application study was conducted using tannery wastewater with Nostoc sp. and 94.20% removal of Cr(VI) was obtained. Hence, this study revealed that Nostoc sp. and T. vulgaris both have great potential to be an environment friendly and economic biosorbent for removal of Cr(VI) containing industrial effluent.

Sorptive and microbial riddance of micro-pollutant ibuprofen from contaminated water: A state of the art review.

Continuous discharge of ibuprofen, a pharmaceutical compound in local water systems is becoming a budding concern as seen from data procured from the past few decades. Increased concentrations of the compound in water reservoirs resulted in adverse effects on the environment. In order to prevent the deleterious impacts of increasing ibuprofen concentration in water bodies, application of cost effective and energy efficient elimination of ibuprofen (IBP) is needed. As a result, various techniques over time have been tested for IBP expulsion from aqueous media. However, adsorption and bioremediation are still the most realistic approaches to remove ibuprofen than conventional methods, like precipitation, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, nano-filtration etc., because of their lower initial cost, reduced electricity consumption, minimized sludge generation, local availability of precursor material etc. Various researchers have reported the applicability of the adsorption and bioremediation process in remediation of ibuprofen from water. Therefore, the present review article confers both the biosorption and bioremediation process towards IBP removal from water bodies and explicates the performances of various adsorbents and microorganisms derived from various sources. The presented review also substantially emphasizes on the effect of different parameters on sorptive uptake of ibuprofen, various isotherms and kinetic models, sorption mechanism and assessment of costs, which could enable future researchers to determine widespread use of reported adsorbents and microbes towards effective elimination of IBP from aqueous media.

Biosorptive efficacy of granular activated carbon in pressure swing adsorption based model cooling system: performance assessment, isotherm modeling and cost evaluation.

The notable environmental concerns of the halogen-containing obnoxious conventional refrigerants have grounded to devise the environmentally benign and efficient cooling system. In view of this alarming issue, an experimental model cooling system based on pressure swing adsorption-desorption (PSAD) mechanism has been contrived for its performance assessment and analysis of isotherm modeling. The physicochemical properties of the wood apple (Limonia acidissima) shell-derived carbonized char are enhanced by multi-stage activation to obtain two activated carbon granular adsorbents viz. PCACG and ACG towards their application in the proposed system. The performance indicative microporous characteristics of the adsorbents are investigated, and it is observed that the indigenously prepared activated carbon possesses high surface area, i.e., 1065 m2 gm-1 and 1023 m2 gm -1 for PCACG and ACG, respectively. Carbon dioxide and bio-precursor-based adsorbents are used as adsorbent-adsorbate pair in the developed single-bed cooling system. The coefficient of performance (COP) of the cooling system are computed to be 4.93 and 2.79 utilizing PCACG and ACG, respectively while the cooling effects are quantified as 146.26 J s -1 and 128.48 J s-1.Besides, the CO2 gas adsorption mechanism onto solid adsorbent surfaces has been interpreted by Langmuir, Dubinin-Raduskevich (D-R), and Dubinin-Astakhov (D-A) isotherm models. Among them, D-A isotherm has accurately predicted the adsorption mechanism of carbon dioxide on to adsorbent. Importantly, the cost estimation of preparing PCACG and ACG exhibited the cost-effectiveness for their successful application. Based on their comparative characteristics, it is observed that the PCACG adsorbent is more energy efficient than ACG in the long run.

Recirculating used cooking oil and Nagkesar seed shells in dual-stage catalytic biodiesel synthesis with C1-C3 alcohols.

The presented study discusses biodiesel synthesis by utilizing two wastes: Mesua ferrea Linn (MFL) seed shells (inert support for developing catalysts) and used cooking oil (feedstock). The MFL shells were used for heterogeneous acid and base catalyst development through carbonization, steam activation and subsequent doping of H2SO4 or KOH, which upon instrumental examination showed effective doping of functional groups on the MFL char. The conversion approach uses methanol with sulfonated char (SC) for esterification, while the second stage utilizes 2-propanol for transesterification with KOH-doped char (KC) as a catalyst. Both stages optimize 5 controlling parameters such as mixing intensity, duration of reaction, catalyst load, alcohol concentration and reaction temperature in an L16 Taguchi experimental matrix. Thus, the obtained biodiesel has an ester content of 99.16%, while 97.35% of the free fatty acids (FFA) were converted, resulting in the product showing improved physico-chemical properties as assessed through fuel characterization tests. Reusability tests for the catalysts showed 4 reuses for acid catalyst compared to 9 reuses for base catalyst. Catalyst development costs were only $1.27/kg for activated char, while due to reuse, the prepared catalysts cost only $0.53/kg of biodiesel. Hence, the catalytic process holds great potential for commercialization if scaled up appropriately.

Transforming wet blue leather and potato peel into an eco-friendly bio-organic NPK fertilizer for intensifying crop productivity and retrieving value-added recyclable chromium salts.

An attempt has been made to address two important issues, the solid waste management of leather industry and soil fertility. The SEM images revealed altered surface-morphology.The EDS elemental analysis exhibited presence of about 13.2% nitrogen (N), 50.56% carbon (C), 2.69% phosphorus (P) in the collagenous material of wet blue leather (WBL) after chromium removal. In potato peel biochar (PPB) prepared the EDS analysis corroborated the presence of N P K in 5%, 1.4% and 21.64% respectively. In the formulated bio-organic NPK fertilizer, using chromium free WBL and PPB, the percentage of N, P, K, was in 13.10, 2.41, 20.20% respectively which was authenticated by EDS. Its effect on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) plant showed higher growth (1.11 fold fruit size) and total chlorophyll content (1.61 fold) than in untreated soil (control) but displayed similar result as in presence of chemical fertilizer. The released free ammonia in soil with bio-organic NPK was more (37.02%) than with chemical fertilizer (6.10%). DNA intercalation study showed the non-hazardous impact on soil. The FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, AAS further specified the conversion of the WBL extracted acidic chromium-rich solution by MgO into crystalline chromium for commercial use.

Ibuprofen sorptive efficacy of zirconium caged date seed derived steam activated alginate beads in a static bed column.

The sorption capability of zirconium coupled sodium alginate beads of steam activated biochar derived from date seed (Zr(DSPB)Al) was explored towards Ibuprofen (IBP) removal from simulated water solution in a static bed column. The impact of governing variables viz. column bed height (5-25 cm), influent (IBP) concentration (10-30 mg L-1) and inflow rate (2-6 mL min-1) was investigated in the present study. The column experimentation reflected that with an increase in column bed length, the breakthrough curve height was increased. The maximum sorbent uptake was found to be 23.33 mg g-1 from an optimal column bed height of 20 cm, influent (IBP) concentration of 30 mg L-1 and inflow rate of 2 mL min-1 with the achievement of 94.86% of IBP removal. The bed depth service model (BDST) was studied to examine the sorbent's efficacy and it was observed that column bed height was one of the effective factors towards effective IBP sorption. The Yoon-Nelson model and Thomas model corroborated extremely well with the experimental findings. The desorption study presented a sorbent efficiency up to 5 cycles for IBP exclusion with 37.59% regeneration of the column. The investigation indicated that the novel sorbent Zr(DSPB)Al with proficient performance could be successfully applied for IBP elimination from aqueous solutions.

Blending of phthalated starch and surface functionalized rice husk extracted nanosilica with LDPE towards developing an efficient packaging substitute.

Starch was transformed to hydrophobic starch phthalate (contact angle 109°) in order to achieve a good dispersion in LDPE matrix. Nanosilica derived from rice husk after aminopropyltrimethoxysilane functionalization was also incorporated into the blend as property-enhancing filler. The produced crystalline starch phthalate had a lower particle size of 9.87 µm and a higher surface area of 2.87 m2/g compared to starch (40.28 µm, 1.91 m2/g). The potential quality modification of starch phthalate as a substitute for starch towards the production of a perfect biodegradable blend was quantified in terms of mechanical (tensile, tear, stiffness), optical (haze, transmittance), and biodegradation assessments. Interfacial adhesion between LDPE and starch phthalate was well justified by the morphology and enhancement in mechanical properties like tensile and tear strength from 8.87 to 12.67 MPa and 96.57 to 187.10 N/mm for 30% of starch or starch phthalate in LDPE matrix, respectively. Starch phthalate compared to starch blended films showed a higher biodegradation rate of 14.8 and 13.5% in garden soil and vegetable waste respectively in 1 year (at 30% biofiller), with a good first-order kinetics fit of the weight loss data having a higher degradation rate constant at higher content of biofiller in the blend.