| dc.description.abstract | One alternative to solve difficult degradation of synthetic membrane is by using waste of pineapple peel to synthesize cellulose acetate (CA) membrane that is biodegradable. Examination of biodegradation was carried out by burying the membrane in soil for 5 weeks and by microbial degradation of membrane which weight had been known using Bacillus subtillis for 1, 2, 3, and 5 weeks. The degradation product were examined qualitatively using scanning electron microscope (SEM) before and after degradation. The weight of membrane after degradation by B. subtillis for 1, 2, 3, and 5 weeks were decreased 3.15, 20.06, 24.59, and 41.57%, respectively whereas with burying method in soil for 5 weeks the decrease was 50.15%. Fehling test of the CA membrane was negative before degradation and positive after degradation with increasing intensity every week. The SEM result of membrane before degradation showed that the membrane surface was relatively flat whereas the surface morphology of the one degraded by B. subtillis and of the one buried in soil changed and had broken and holes indicating that the membrane had been damaged. | en |
