Abstract:
A lot of solid wastes produced from the disposable packaging materials which are not
degradable that leads to environmental pollution. Development of biodegradable
packaging material is necessary to partially or totally replace synthetic polymers.
Starch can be used to develop biodegradable films. Biodegradable films were
successfully prepared from unripe plaintain (Musa paradisiaca cv. "Nangka" (AAB))
peel flour at 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12% and 14% w/w of its starch concentration
incorporated with 50 w/w of glycerol and 1 % w/w of pectin with casting method. The
films produced were characterized their physical properties in terms of thickness,
colour, transparency, water vapour permeability, mechanical properties and
biodegradability. Increased in starch concentration resulted in increased of thickness,
yellowness, water vapour permeability (WVP) and tensile strength (TS) of the films.
In contrast, elongation at break (EAB) and transparency of the films were decreased
with increased of the starch concentration. Therefore, a good unripe plaintain peel
film was produced at lower starch concentration because its WVP was lowest and
highest in EAB.
