Effect of quercetin addition on chitosan film composite of cellulose microcrystals from coconut fibers (Cocos Nucifera)

Abstract

This study aimed to synthesize chitosan biodegradable films and cellulose microcrystals (CMC) from coconut fibres (Cocos nucifera) with quercetin as a filler. Chitosan (CS) film is mixed with cellulose microcrystals with a composition of 1% w/w, and quercetin bioflavonoids are added with various concentrations (0%;1%;3%;5%;7% w/w) by solution casting method. Adding quercetin to the chitosan-microcrystalline cellulose film is expected to add antioxidant properties. Cellulose microcrystals were isolated from the primary material of coconut fibres by delignification, bleaching which was then hydrolysis by 58% w/w sulfuric acid. Isolation results were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM. The results of research for the synthesis of chitosan-microcrystalline cellulose-quercetin films showed the addition of quercetin 7% resulted in tensile strength of 17.21 MPa, biodegradation rate of 1.62 mg/day, antioxidant activity of 79.95%. However, adding 7% quercetin decreases the nature of film development and water vapour permeability, with the optimum quercetin concentration for film development being 1% and water vapour permeability being 3%.