Synthesis composite starch-chitosan as biodegradable plastic for food packaging

Abstract

A composite starch/chitosan that optimized by addition glycerin as plastizier has been synthesized. The effects of starch/chitosan are increasing the mechanical properties and decreasing the degradation time of bioplastics. The composite mixed with compositions of the starch (S)/chitosan (C) are 0/100, 35/65, 45/55, 50/50, 55/45, 65/35, and 100/0 respectively. The composites were characterized by using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), tensile strength test and biodegradation test. The data shows that the mechanical properties of bioplastics increase to increasing composition of chitosan. The maximum value of tensile strength are 60.629 was obtained the composition of the starch (S)/chitosan (C) for 35/65. The biodegradation tested shows that mass of sample has decreased to 80% on 14 days. It means that composite from starch/chitosan very potential to become new material to produce eco- friendly food package.