Microstructural and mechanical properties of sago starch bioplastics (Metroxylon sp) as biodegradable plastics.

Bioplastic materials, also known as biodegradable materials made from plant starch, have become one of the alternatives to prevent the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastics. Sago starch material (Metroxylon sp) has been developed for the production of bioplastics. The microstructural properties of Tawaro sago starch (STA) and Tawaroduri sago starch (STB) have been characterized, and it has been found that STA sago starch is superior as a base material for bioplastic production due to its amylose content of 36.49%. The XRD diffractogram revealed the formation of the α-amylose phase, and the elongation of the sago starch (STA) amylose polymer chains (C-O) was confirmed by the absorption band in the range of 1200 – 990 cm−1 for (C-O-C) and (C-O-H) in the sago starch glucosidic ring, with higher intensity compared to Tawaroduri starch (STB) at absorption bands 958 cm−1, 860 cm−1, 771 cm−1, and 715 cm−1. Sago starch (STA) was modified using Heat Moisture Treatment (HMT) technique at a temperature of 100℃ with different time variations, and the hand layup method was used to produce four bioplastic specimens. Sago starch (STA) with 0.0% moisture content in specimen D showed a tensile strength value of 0.254 MPa and a strain of 0.247 MPa. The tensile strength increased due to the HMT treatment of sago starch. However, the strain value of specimen D was still relatively rigid. This occurred because the low moisture content in the starch granules was evenly distributed, leading to increased liquid absorption capacity and better distribution of other elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]