Pencirian Film Bioplastik dari Tepung Tapioka Terplastisasi Gliserol dengan Penambahan Kitosan

Abstract

Non-biodegradable synthetic plastic is widely used as packaging. However, the plastic waste can pollute the environment so that bioplastics are developed, which are easily degraded. In this research, packaging films have been made from glycerol and tapioca starch blends with composition ratio of 8:2 and 7:3 as well as various concentrations of chitosan 1, 2, and 3%. The plastics produced were analyzed for the mechanical properties by using tensile strength test, density, functional groups based on Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, surface morfology with scanning electron microscope, and thermal properties from differential scanning calorimeter. Addition of plasticizer was found to lower the density. Plastic with 8:2 ratio and addition of 2% chitosan yielded tensile strength 304 MPa and elongation 37%. Functional groups analysis showed that the film was a result of physical mixing. The plastic’s surface was quite homogenous and the melting point was increased with addition of chitosan. Addition of chitosan could increase the mechanical properties and was expected to be easily degradated in the environment.