Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, Vol 28 No 5 (2024): 1003 - 1011

 

THE EFFECT OF GLYCEROL CONCENTRATION ON STARCH-BASED

BIOPLASTICS DERIVED FROM BANANA PEELS (Musa acuminata)

 

(Kesan Kepekatan Gliserol ke atas Bioplastik Berasaskan Kanji yang Diperolehi daripada Kulit Pisang (Musa acuminata))

 

Muhammad Ilham Mamauod1*, Mohd Hafiz Abu Hassan1, and Siti Nur Liyana Mamauod2,3

 

1Industrial Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

2Centre of Chemical Synthesis and Polymer Technology (CCSPT), Institute of Science,

3Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

*Corresponding author: ismieilham@gmail.com

 

 

Received: 2 January 2024; Accepted: 23 June 2024; Published:  27 October 2024

 

 

Abstract

The widespread use of plastics in everyday life will cause serious harm to the ecosystem if not managed properly. To solve this problem, more sustainable alternatives like bioplastics, made from plant-based materials such as starch, have been developed. In this study, banana peel is seen as a good resource for bioplastics productions as it contains a high starch content compared to other fruit peels. Furthermore, there is no further research on bioplastics starch derived from Musa acuminata. In addition, plastics made from starch have a low mechanical property such as low tensile strength and are easily infected by fungal and bacteria. Therefore, the ability of starch derived from Musa acuminata and the effect of plasticizers on the mechanical properties of the bioplastics were investigated. The potential of these bioplastics is demonstrated through rigorous physical testing, which includes biodegradability, solubility, tensile strength, and FTIR analysis. Based on the results obtained, the solubility rate increased from 3.2 ± 0.29% to 14.5 ± 0.28% as glycerol volume increased, and a similar trend was observed in the biodegradability test, where the weight loss of the bioplastic increased from week 1 until week 2, showing that as the concentration of glycerol increases, the solubility and biodegradability will also increase. Regarding tensile strength, elevating the glycerol content enhances the strength and durability of the bioplastic, but excessive use can lead to brittleness. Therefore, the most suitable glycerol concentration is found to be at 1 wt. (%) which represents 1 wt. (%) of banana peel starch.

 

Keywords: bioplastics, starch, solubility, biodegradability, tensile strength

 

Abstrak

Penggunaan plastik secara meluas dalam kehidupan seharian akan menyebabkan kemudaratan serius kepada ekosistem jika tidak diuruskan dengan baik. Untuk menyelesaikan masalah ini, alternatif yang lebih mampan seperti bioplastik, diperbuat daripada bahan berasaskan tumbuhan seperti kanji, telah dibangunkan. Dalam kajian ini, kulit pisang dilihat sebagai sumber yang baik untuk penghasilan bioplastik kerana ia mengandungi kandungan kanji yang tinggi berbanding kulit buah-buahan lain. Tambahan pula, tiada kajian lanjut mengenai kanji bioplastik yang diperoleh daripada Musa acuminata. Selain itu, plastik yang diperbuat daripada kanji mempunyai sifat mekanikal yang rendah seperti kekuatan tegangan yang rendah dan mudah dijangkiti kulat dan bakteria. Oleh itu, keupayaan kanji yang diperoleh daripada Musa acuminata dan kesan pemplastis terhadap sifat mekanikal bioplastik telah disiasat. Potensi bioplastik ini ditunjukkan melalui ujian fizikal yang ketat, yang merangkumi kebolehbiodegradan, keterlarutan, kekuatan tegangan, dan analisis FTIR. Berdasarkan keputusan yang diperoleh, kadar keterlarutan meningkat daripada 3.2 ± 0.29% kepada 14.5 ± 0.28% apabila volum gliserol meningkat, dan trend yang sama diperhatikan dalam ujian biodegradasi, di mana penurunan berat bioplastik meningkat dari minggu 1 hingga minggu 2 , menunjukkan bahawa apabila kepekatan gliserol meningkat, keterlarutan dan kebolehbiodegradan juga akan meningkat. Berkenaan dengan kekuatan tegangan, meningkatkan kandungan gliserol meningkatkan kekuatan dan ketahanan bioplastik, tetapi penggunaan yang berlebihan boleh menyebabkan kerapuhan. Oleh itu, kepekatan gliserol yang paling sesuai didapati pada 1 wt. (%) yang mewakili 1 wt. (%) pati kulit pisang.

 

Kata kunci: bioplastik, kanji, keterlarutan, biodegradasi, kekuatan tegangan

 

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