Biodegradable packaging from cassava starch and oil palm leaf : Environment properties

Mohd Nor Bahari, Nur Azah Amira (2024) Biodegradable packaging from cassava starch and oil palm leaf : Environment properties. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The widespread utilization of traditional food packaging has led to an upsurge in the disposal of non-ecologically friendly packaging waste, which poses problems on the environment. In order to address this issue, numerous environmentally conscious materials have been developed. An eco-friendly biopolymer derived from renewable resources has emerged as a viable substitute for petroleum-based polymers. Starch biopolymer, identified as a biodegradable compound that can be derived from a diverse range of plants, stands out as one of the most abundant renewable, biodegradable, and cost-effective resources currently accessible. Oil palm leaf fiber is a potential fiber that can be employed to reinforce a bio- based polymer composite. Numerous early studies on the characteristics and properties of oil palm leaf have been published; nevertheless, a comprehensive and in-depth examination of this leaf's use as a non-wood packaging replacement is nearly unknown. Hence, the aim of this study is to prepare a biodegradable thermoplastic composed of cassava starch reinforced with oil palm leaf fibre (OPLF), examine its water affinity properties, density, and evaluate its environmental properties. This will enable the production of new materials based on thermoplastic cassava starch reinforced with OPLF. To address the limitations of the cassava starch biopolymer, OPLF were incorporated at varying fiber contents (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%). All components, including cassava starch, glycerol, palm wax, and OPLF, were mixed and formed using hot compression molding at a temperature of 155 °C for 60 minutes. The essential properties of the TPCS/OPLF biopolymer composites were assessed to determine their suitability as biodegradable reinforcements. In terms of water affinity, the properties of the OPLF composites were evaluated by moisture content, water absorption and thickness swelling testings. Environment analysis was used to evaluate soil burial and water solubility testings. Additional tests, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and density, were conducted to evaluate the performance of TPCS reinforced with OPLF composites. The results showed that increasing oil palm leaf fibre loading from 0 to 20 wt% has led to a drop in moisture content from 10.08% to 5.65%. TPCS matrix showed 40% water uptake and 22.15% swelling whereas TPCS/OPLF composites with 20 wt% loading showed 11% water uptake and 9.54% swelling respectively. Inclusion of 20 wt.% loading had reduced the water solubility of the biocomposites from 38.4% and 30.7%. For the soil burial test, incorporating 20 wt% oil palm leaf fiber decreases the weight reduction for 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Moreover, when fibre loading increases, SEM micrographs of the composite reveal more micro void, crack, and fibre breakage. Overall, the incorporation of OPLF into TPCS has enhanced the functional properties of the composites for short-life product applications.

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