Manufacture And Characterization Of Bioplastic Films Pati Porang (Amorphophallus, Sp) And Chitosan With Plasticizer Sorbitol
Introduction
The world is facing a significant challenge in terms of plastic waste management. The increasing use of conventional plastics has led to environmental pollution, harming ecosystems and human health. In response to this issue, researchers have been exploring alternative materials, such as bioplastics, which are biodegradable and non-toxic. One of the promising bioplastics is Pati Porang (Amorphophallus sp.), a natural ingredient that can be used to produce bioplastic films. In this article, we will discuss the manufacture and characterization of bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol.
Manufacturing Process
The bioplastic film is manufactured through a heating process at a temperature of 80-85 °C and drying at 60 °C. The best results are obtained by a ratio of 50% starch concentration, 50% chitosan, and 60% sorbitol. This bioplastic film has promising characteristics, including tensile strength, thickness, density, elongation, and water resistance.
Characterization of Bioplastic Films
The bioplastic film was characterized using various techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
FT-IR Spectroscopy
FT-IR spectroscopy was used to analyze the chemical structure of the bioplastic film. The results showed that there were no changes in the wave numbers of the O-H, C-O, and N-H function groups from Porang Pati, Chitosan, and Sorbitol. This indicates that the interaction between the three components is only physical, and there is no chemical reaction that forms new bonds.
SEM Analysis
SEM analysis was used to examine the surface morphology of the bioplastic film. The results showed the presence of white points and curves on the surface of the bioplastic film, indicating that the Porang Pati has not been completely dissolved, resulting in an uneven surface.
Potential and Challenges of Bioplastic Starch Porang
The use of porang starch as bioplastic raw material has several potentials, including:
Environmentally Friendly
Pati porang is a natural ingredient that is easily decomposed, so it does not pollute the environment like conventional plastic.
Renewable Resources
Porang is an easy plant to grow and adapt in various soil conditions, so that its resources can be renewed on an ongoing basis.
Good Mechanical Properties
Bioplastic film Pati Porang shows good mechanical characteristics, including tensile strength and high water resistance.
Despite having promising potential, the development of Pati Porang bioplastic still faces several challenges:
Need to Increase Resistance to Water
Bioplastic film resistance to water still needs to be increased to expand its application.
Development of Processing Techniques
More efficient and environmentally friendly processing techniques need to be developed to improve the scale of bioplastic production.
Application Development
Further research needs to be done to find new applications from bioplastic starch, such as food packaging, agricultural products wrapping, and so forth.
Conclusion
Bioplastic starch porang is a potential alternative to replace conventional plastic. With further optimization of processes and research, bioplastic starch porang has great potential to be an environmentally friendly solution that can benefit the community.
Future Directions
Future research should focus on:
Improving Water Resistance
Developing new techniques to increase the water resistance of bioplastic films.
Scaling Up Production
Developing more efficient and environmentally friendly processing techniques to improve the scale of bioplastic production.
Exploring New Applications
Further research should be done to find new applications from bioplastic starch, such as food packaging, agricultural products wrapping, and so forth.
By addressing these challenges and exploring new opportunities, bioplastic starch porang can become a viable alternative to conventional plastic, reducing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable development.
Introduction
Bioplastic films made from Pati Porang (Amorphophallus sp.) and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential to replace conventional plastics. However, there are still many questions and concerns about these bioplastics. In this article, we will address some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about bioplastic films Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol.
Q1: What is Pati Porang (Amorphophallus, sp.)?
A1: Pati Porang (Amorphophallus sp.) is a type of starch extracted from the tubers of the Amorphophallus plant. It is a natural ingredient that is easily decomposed and has potential applications in bioplastics.
Q2: What is chitosan?
A2: Chitosan is a biodegradable polymer derived from chitin, a polysaccharide found in the shells of crustaceans. It is a natural polymer that has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making it a suitable material for bioplastics.
Q3: What is sorbitol?
A3: Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a plasticizer in bioplastics. It helps to improve the flexibility and processability of bioplastics.
Q4: How are bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol?
A4: Bioplastic films are made by mixing Pati Porang, chitosan, and sorbitol in a specific ratio, followed by heating and drying processes. The resulting film has promising characteristics, including tensile strength, thickness, density, elongation, and water resistance.
Q5: What are the benefits of bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol?
A5: Bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol have several benefits, including:
- Environmentally friendly: They are biodegradable and non-toxic, reducing environmental pollution.
- Renewable resources: The raw materials used to make bioplastics are renewable and can be easily grown.
- Good mechanical properties: Bioplastic films have good tensile strength, thickness, density, elongation, and water resistance.
Q6: What are the challenges associated with bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol?
A6: Despite their promising potential, bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol still face several challenges, including:
- Need to increase resistance to water: Bioplastic film resistance to water still needs to be increased to expand its application.
- Development of processing techniques: More efficient and environmentally friendly processing techniques need to be developed to improve the scale of bioplastic production.
- Application development: Further research needs to be done to find new applications from bioplastic starch, such as food packaging, agricultural products wrapping, and so forth.
Q7: Can bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol replace conventional plastics?
A7: Bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol have the potential to replace conventional plastics in certain applications. However, further research and development are needed to improve their properties and scalability.
Q8: What are the future directions for bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol?
A8: Future research should focus on:
- Improving water resistance: Developing new techniques to increase the water resistance of bioplastic films.
- Scaling up production: Developing more efficient and environmentally friendly processing techniques to improve the scale of bioplastic production.
- Exploring new applications: Further research should be done to find new applications from bioplastic starch, such as food packaging, agricultural products wrapping, and so forth.
By addressing these challenges and exploring new opportunities, bioplastic films made from Pati Porang and chitosan with plasticizer sorbitol can become a viable alternative to conventional plastics, reducing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable development.