SYNERGISM BETWEEN SAGO STARCH AND CHITOSAN IN ENHANCING BIODEGRADABLE FILM PROPERTIES
Abstract
The research studied properties of biodegradable film from the mixture
of sago starch and chitosan. The biodegradable film was obtained by solution
casting method with addition of glycerol 1.5% as plasticizer. Mechanical properties
of biodegradable film from sago starch and chitosan were determined including
tensile strength, elongation, color and biodegradability. To study shape surface
morphology of biodegradable fllm, the microfracture of biodegradable film was
observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biodegradable film with the
composition of sago starch and chitosan 1:1 signiflcantly had the lowest number of
tensile strength. The study revealed that addition of chitosan improved biopolymer
elongation and brightness, hut it weakened tensile strength of biopolymer and
reduced its biodegradability.