Bioplastic from Jackfruit Seeds and Rice

Abstract

This study tried to explore characterization of biodegradable plastic from jackfruit seeds and rice waste. Jackfruit seeds and rice waste contain starch, so it can be used for plastic material with addition of several additives such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), glycerol, chitosan and sorbitol. Starch is one of polysaccharides that be used as raw material for biofilms. Polyvinyl alcohol is the most important plastic in making water-soluble films. It was ability to form films, emulsifiers, and its adhesive properties. Polyvinyl alcohol has high tensile strength, good flexibility, and good oxygen barrier. Sorbitol and glycerol are also an additive in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics from starch, which is a plasticizer that increase elasticity. Chitosan have effects to bioplastic, such as biodegradable, hydrophilicity, and anti bacterial. This research aims to determine the effect of addition of PVA, glycerol, chitosan and sorbitol to optimum characteristics of bioplastic. The parameters to be examined bioplastic include thickness, moisture content, tensile strength, and % elongation. Increasing of glycerol added to the plastic material effect to decrease of tensile strength of bioplastic and elongation, lower water resistance and more easily degraded. Increasing of chitosan added to the plastic material effect to higher tensile strength, lower elongation, higher resistance to water and lower degradation. Increasing of PVA added to the plastic material effect to increasing of the tensile strength of the bioplastic and decreasing of elongation of bioplastic, but the increasing of sorbitol effect to decreasing of tensile strength and increasing of elongation of bioplastic.