Application Alkali Treatment Rice Husk - CaCl2 as Moisture Absorber of Coconut Palm Sugar Granule

Abstract

Rice husk is high fiber agricultural wastes and with CaCl2 impregnated, it would be potential to develop as a composite moisture absorber. In this case, the rice husk - CaCl2 composite can absorb and control the moisture in headspace of packaging to stabilize the water activity of the product. This study was aimed to develop moisture absorber from rice husk - CaCl2 and apply the sachet of moisture absorber into the package of coconut palm sugar granule (CSG). Moisture absorber was prepared by impregnated the surface of modified rice husk using sodium hydroxide (5% w/v) and CaCl2 with the concentration of 5, 10 and 15 % w/v. Physical parameters of CSG were analyzed. Rice husk - CaCl2 15% has the highest moisture absorption. Meanwhile, the using of rice husk - CaCl2 as moisture absorber was able to maintain the moisture content of CSG during storage at the condition as about 2% with RH 70%.