Development and Characterization of Sugar Palm (Arenga Pinnata (Wurmb. Merr)) Fiber Reinforced Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Starch Biopolymer Composites

ABSTRACT

The study aims to develop a biopolymer composite made of sugar palm fiber and cassava starch that may degrade over time and to investigate the physical and structural characteristics of biocomposite films. Sugar palm fiber (SPF) was cast into a biocomposite with cassava starch (CS) as the matrix and fructose as the plasticizer using the casting process. The thermoplastic CS composite sheet was loaded with different amounts of SPF (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% dry starch). The addition of SPF considerably improved the physical and thermal properties. It enhanced the thickness of the material while lowering its density, water content, and biodegradability. However, there was no significant increase in the tensile properties of the composite films. The filler had been absorbed into the matrix, according to SEM micrographs. With a higher concentration of SPF, the SPF/CS films had a more heterogeneous surface. It is indeed possible that the addition of SPF changed the film characteristics of cassava starch, potentially compromising the performance of the films. Overall, the findings of this study concentrate on enlightening about biopolymer composite film and highlighting its great potential for the food packaging market.

摘要

该研究旨在开发一种由糖棕榈纤维和木薯淀粉制成的生物聚合物复合材料，该复合材料可能会随着时间的推移而降解，并研究生物复合膜的物理和结构特征. 以木薯淀粉（CS）为基体，果糖为增塑剂，采用铸造工艺将糖棕榈纤维（SPF）铸造成生物复合材料. 热塑性CS复合片材装载有不同量的SPF（0、5、10、15和20%干淀粉）. SPF的添加显著改善了物理和热性能. 它提高了材料的厚度，同时降低了其密度、含水量和生物降解性. 然而，复合膜的拉伸性能没有显著提高. 根据SEM显微照片，填料已经被吸收到基质中. SPF浓度越高，SPF/CS薄膜的表面越不均匀. SPF的添加确实可能改变了木薯淀粉的薄膜特性，从而可能影响薄膜的性能. 总之，本研究的结果集中于对生物聚合物复合膜的启发，并突出其在食品包装市场上的巨大潜力.

KEYWORDS:

• Sugar palm fiber
• cassava starch
• biopolymer
• biocomposites
• mechanical properties
• food packaging

关键词:

• 糖棕榈纤维
• 木薯淀粉
• 生物聚合物
• 生物复合材料
• 力学性能
• 食品包装

Highlights

• Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb. Merr)) fiber reinforced cassava starch biopolymer composites were developed.

• The addition of SPF into CS film accelerates the biodegradation process of biopolymer composite films.

• The information about the influence of SPF loadings on the physical and mechanical properties of the films could be helpful in the development of biopackaging films.

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to acknowledge Jazan University for providing publication fund and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for affording research facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

I confirm that all the research meets ethical guidelines and adheres to the legal requirements of the study country.

Additional information

Funding

Saaed Abdullah Mousa, College of Engineering, Jazan University, Jazan 706 Saudi Arabia.