Mechanical properties of films from carboxy methyl glucomannan and carrageenan with glycerol as plasticizer

Abstract

Edible films from carboxymethylglucomannan (CMG) and carrageenan with glycerol as plasticizers are very possible to minimize the environmental pollution. Effect of composition of solid materials and the addition of glycerol were studied. The films were made by casting method, with variation of the composition of the solid materials are 5:15; 10:10; 15:5 (w/w) for CMG and carrageenan. The influence of glycerol was studied on the amount of as 5%, 10%, and 15% (v/v) in each variation of the composition. Edible film then tested its mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation test using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The results of this study showed that the highest tensile strength and elasticity modulus of edible film were obtained from combination of 5 grams CMG and 15 grams carrageenan with 5% glycerol addition. The value of tensile strength and elasticity modulus were 25.607 MPa and 320.09 MPa, respectively. While the highest elongation was found in films made by 15% addition of glycerol., resulting in the film elongation of 17%.