Synthesis of starch-carrageenan bio-thermoplastic composites on the type and concentration of thermoplastic forming materials as packaging materials

Abstract

Abstract Plastic waste is one of the primary environmental pollutants; in addition to being very large in number, it is also complicated to be degraded by microbes. One of the efforts to overcome plastic pollution is to develop biodegradable thermoplastic (bio-thermoplastic), namely plastic that is easy to form and melts at high temperatures and is easily degraded. This study aims to determine the effect of the type and concentration of thermoplastic forming materials (glycerol and castor oil) on bioplastic composites made from cassava starch with carrageenan. Another goal is to get the best characteristics of the treatment. This study used a randomized block design with 12 treatments derived from 2 types (glycerol and castor oil) and six concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6%) of thermoplastic forming materials. The treatments were grouped into two based on the time of the research. The data obtained were analyzed for diversity, and if it had a significant effect, it was continued with Duncan’s multiple comparison test. The observed variables included mechanical properties, swelling, WVTR, and biodegradation. The results showed that the type and concentration of the thermostatic forming material had a significant effect on tensile strength, elongation, elasticity, WVTR and had no effect on swelling and biodegradation. The bio-thermoplastic composite with the best characteristics was made from starch and carrageenan in a ratio of 25:75 using 1% glycerol with a tensile strength of 33.98 MPa and 1% castor oil with a tensile strength of 35.71 MPa.