Effect of jackfruit rind-based cellulose (JR-CEL.) on physical and mechanical properties of the biodegradable glycerol/gelatine matrix film

Abstract

Biodegradable films research has been studied as a potential substitution for the conventional films since it can be produced by using natural sources. The aim for the study is to evaluate the effect of the jackfruit rind-based cellulose (JR-CEL.) on physical and mechanical properties of the biodegradable glycerol/ gelatine matrix film. The cellulose was successfully extracted from the jackfruit rind by using bleaching process and alkaline treatment and it was confirmed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). JR-CEL. had been mixed in the best chosen mixture, namely glycerol40/ gelatine60 biodegradable matrix film. Further evaluation on physical and mechanical properties on these films had been compared with glycerol/ gelatine matrix film. When comparing the glycerol/ gelatine film matrix with the glycerol/ gelatine/ cellulose composite film, it showed that the addition of JR-CEL in the matrix film, the biodegradability of the film increased. The addition of JR-CEL to the film decreases the moisture uptake of the film. Solubility of the film decreased from 97.97% to 71.28% because JR-CEL was hard to dissolve in water and it needed a longer time to dissolve. The addition of JR-CEL to the film decreased the tensile strength and Young Modulus of the film. JR-CEL increased the porosity inside the film and this has been confirmed by the image from SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) that showed crack formation on the surface of the film.