Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 27 No 2 (2023): 440 – 452

 

MICROSCOPIC, SPECTROSCOPIC AND THERMOANALYTICAL CHARACTERIZATIONS OF MODIFIED PALM OIL AND RICE BRAN OIL INTO BIOPOLYMERS

 

(Ciri-Ciri Mikroskopi, Spekroskopi dan Termoanalitik Minyak Kelapa Sawit Dan Minyak Dedak Padi yang Diubahsuai Menjadi Biopolimer)

 

Hui Ying Wong1, ‪ Radiah Ali1, and Sabiqah Tuan Anuar1,2*

 

1Faculty of Science and Marine Environment,

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

2Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG),

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: sabiqahanuar@umt.edu.my

 

 

Received: 25 September 2022; Accepted: 30 March 2023; Published:  xx April 2023

 

 

Abstract

This study reported an approach of producing biopolymer material from epoxidation of vegetable oils such as palm oil and rice bran oil. The epoxidation of vegetable oils converts from carbon double bonds into oxirane group and achieves by using the conventional method of in situ generated formic acid for 6 hours followed by further treatment with citric acid. The presence of oxirane group was proven by Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and shown at the wavenumber of 773 cm-1. Through direct titration, oxirane oxygen content (OOC) for epoxidized palm oil (EPO) and epoxidized rice bran oil (ERBO) were both determined as 2.89% and 3.05% respectively. Surface morphological studies were carried out for both EPO and ERBO bioplastic films by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Further analysis with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy showed 68.93% and 78.80% of carbon mass percentages for EPO and ERBO films, respectively. Whilst oxygen mass percentages were exhibited in EPO and ERBO as 31.07% and 21.20%. EPO film is degraded to approximate 50% at 223 °C whereas ERBO at 225 °C from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This green initiative of creating bioplastic film is desired to be a substitution for current plastic product which is mostly non-degradable. In long term prospect, it is also hoped to answer to the global plastic issues such as land dumping site and ocean plastic pollution that brings adverse effect to the marine organisms.

 

Keywords: bioplastic, Malaysian crops, edible oil, plastic pollution

 

Abstrak

Kajian ini melaporkan pendekatan untuk menghasilkan bahan biopolimer daripada proses pengepoksidaan minyak sayuran seperti minyak kelapa sawit dan minyak dedak padi. Pengepoksidaan minyak sayuran menukarkan daripada ikatan berganda karbon kepada kumpulan oksirana dan dicapai dengan menggunakan kaedah konvensional asid formik secara in situ selama 6 jam diikuti dengan rawatan lanjut dengan asid sitrik. Kehadiran kumpulan oxirane telah dibuktikan oleh Spektroskopi (FTIR) analisis, dan ditunjukkan pada nombor gelombang 773 cm-1. Melalui pentitratan terus, kandungan oksigen oksiran (OOC) untuk minyak kelapa sawit terepoksida (EPO) dan minyak dedak padi terepoksida (ERBO) kedua-duanya ditentukan sebagai 2.89% dan 3.05%. Kajian morfologi permukaan telah dijalankan untuk kedua-dua filem bioplastik EPO dan ERBO dengan menggunakan Mikroskopi Pengimbas Elektron (SEM). Analisis lanjut menggunakan spektroskopi X-ray Penyebaran Tenaga (EDX) masing-masing menunjukkan 68.93% dan 78.80% peratusan jisim karbon untuk filem EPO dan ERBO. Sementara itu, peratusan jisim oksigen dipamerkan dalam EPO dan ERBO sebagai 31.07% dan 21.20%. Filem EPO terdegradasi dianggarkan 50% pada 223 °C manakala ERBO pada 225 °C daripada analisis termogravimetrik (TGA). Inisiatif untuk mencipta filem bioplastik ini diingini untuk menjadi pengganti kepada produk plastik semasa yang kebanyakannya tidak terdegradasi. Dalam prospek jangka panjang, ia juga diharap dapat menjawab isu plastik global seperti tapak pelupusan tanah dan pencemaran plastik lautan yang membawa kesan buruk kepada organisma marin.

 

Kata kunci: bioplastik, tanaman Malaysia, minyak makan, pencemaran plastik

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