Produksi Biohidrogel Berbasis Carboxymethyl Starch - Kitosan.

Abstract

Hydrogel is a three dimensional polymeric structure which has an ability to absorb and retain water within its structure. Hydrogel can be derived from natural and synthetic polymers. The natural polymers are usually biocampatible and biodegradable thus they do not produce adverse effects. The objective of this research is to analyze the effect of methacrylic acid concentration towards grafting parameter and biohydrogel properties which derived from carboxymethyl starch. Sago and tapioca were used as the raw material of carboxymethyl starch. The grafting process of methacrylic acid onto backbone polymer occured as a consequence of generating radical functional gruops, either in backbone polymer or in methacrylic acid itself. The grafting process had successfully occured based on Fourier Transform Infrared spectra analysis. The best grafting yield, grafting efficiency, and monomer conversion achieved with using 0,550 g/g methacrylic acid. Swelling, solubility, and water absorbtion property of biohydrogel are affected by methacrylic acid concentration. Meanwhile, oil absorbtion property is not affected by methacrylic acid concentration.