Influence of Carrageenan on the Mechanical Strength of Starch Bioplastic Formed by Extrusion Process

Abstract

The waste of synthetic plastic was the critical environmental problems so the biodegradable plastic is a viable remedy to solve this problem. Addition of biopolymer into bioplastic as the blend could provide a synergistic effect that influences their properties. This study aim was to show the influence of carrageenan on the mechanical properties of bioplastic cassava starch obtained through the extrusion process. This experimental research involved varies concentrations of carrageenan i.e. 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. The extrusion process was conducted in a single screw extrusion at 120° C. The extruded bioplastic was characterized by a tensile test and observed using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The bioplastic starch/carrageenan blend had the tensile strength of 1,1 MPa, 1.62 MPa, 4.87 MPa, 2.137 MPa, and 2.876 MPa and elongation of 28.69%, 20.22%, 19.48%, 17.27%, and 14.78% at carrageenan addition of 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%, respectively.