Open Access

ARTICLE

Elephant Foot Yam Starch-NCC Bionanocomposite Film Incorporated with Virgin Coconut Oil and Monoglyceride for Hydrophobic and Biodegradable Packaging

Heni Radiani Arifin^1,*, Yoan Christina Angelica¹, Bambang Nurhadi¹, Herlina Marta¹, Rossy Choerun Nissa²

1 Departement of Food Industrial Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industrial Technology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, 45363, Indonesia
2 Research Center for Biomass and Bioproduct, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, 40135, Indonesia

* Corresponding Author: Heni Radiani Arifin. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Biodegradable Polymer and Biomass Composites)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2025, 13(3), 617-635. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2025.057812

Received 28 August 2024; Accepted 15 January 2025; Issue published 20 March 2025

Abstract

Bionanocomposite film is produced from renewable and biodegradable natural resources. Although elephant foot yam (EFY) starch (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) is a promising polymer for bionanocomposite film, the native hydrophilic properties influence the overall performance characteristics. Incorporating virgin coconut oil (VCO) and monoglyceride as hydrophobic components can improve mechanical properties and reduce permeability while increasing the hydrophobicity of the composite. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of adding VCO and monoglyceride on EFY starch-nanocrystalline film at 3 and 5 wt% concentrations. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), morphology, functional groups, biodegradability, and hydrophobicity. The results showed that the addition of 5 wt% monoglyceride produced optimum outcomes by reducing the WVTR to 3.99 g.m⁻².h⁻¹, increasing the thickness to 0.134 mm and decreasing the solubility to 36.04%. The Universal Testing Machine (UTM) tests showed an elongation of 74.59%, showing excellent elasticity. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) test showed the bonds formed with starch granules, leading to a flatter surface. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) test also showed an increase in the wavelength of the C=O groups and a decrease in the O-H groups. The contact angle test processed using image-J showed high hydrophobicity, consequently reducing the biodegradability of bionanocomposite film by the Aspergillus niger fungal degradation test. In conclusion, this study successfully developed bionanocomposite film with enhanced hydrophobicity, elasticity, and barrier properties, highly suitable for protecting food from humid air. The composite holds great potential for further development as an environmentally friendly packaging solution.

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