DefinePK

Abstract

The effect of modified and non-modified starch as a filler was investigated in this study. The blend of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and starch was prepared as a film for further analysis. The starch was modified by an acetylating process in which -OH group was substituted in the starch solution. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was used to analyze the presence of functional group of starch acetate. The biodegradable plastic film composed of plantain peel starch and PVA blend was made through solution casting method. The degradable film was produced by compounding the starch with PVA and the use of glycerol as a plasticizer. The blend was spread on the flat glass plate in order to produce the film with even thickness. The casted film is dried in an oven at 90oC for about one hour. The elasticity and strength of the film then was analyzed through tensile test. It was found that the film produced from modified starch has more flexibility and reliability compared to non-modified starch. The highest tensile strength and elongation at break of the film produced was found at 15g of the starch-PVA blend. Meanwhile, the Young’s modulus obtained is concurrent to the tensile strength of produced film.