Characteristics of Starch-Based Bioplastics Reinforced with Cellulose: A Literature Review Ika Atsari Dewi*, Kaninda Rahmaning Firdaus, Sucipto, Arie Febrianto, Panji Deoranto
Department of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
*Corresponding author: ikaatsaridewi[at]ub.ac.id
Abstract
Plastics are widely used as a packaging material in various industries, especially in the food industry. That is because plastics have many advantages, such as being moldable, cheap, and having excellent mechanical properties. However, the continuous use of plastics will significantly impact the environment because they are not readily biodegradable. Therefore, the development of alternative packaging materials is significant. One of the best alternative solutions is the usage of bioplastics. Bioplastics are made from natural resources that make them generally biodegradable and safe for the environment. The main ingredient commonly used in bioplastic production is starch, which can be sourced from tubers, grains, fruits, and agricultural waste. However, starch-based bioplastics have low mechanical properties, so some filler, such as cellulose, is added to increase the mechanical properties and biodegradability. The different combinations of starch and cellulose can provide different results in the tensile strength, elongation, and biodegradability of bioplastics. Therefore, continuous study is needed to obtain the correct formulation of bioplastics to achieve the best properties to replace conventional plastics. This review will describe the characteristics of several starch-based bioplastics reinforced with cellulose and aim to contribute in the future to make it easier to determine the combination of materials for bioplastic production.
