Potential of Artocarpus odoratissimus (Tarap) seeds as bioplastic

The current condition of the earth because of plastic pollution has raise concern globally. Because of that people started to slowly convert from petro-plastic into biodegradable plastic despite of its characteristics. This study aim to study the potential of Artocarpus odoratissimus as bioplastics. The specific objectives involves extraction of starch from A. odoratissimus seeds, determining the mechanical properties of A. odoratissimus bioplastic in term of water absorption and elongation, determining the biodegradation of A. odoratissimus bioplastic and to evaluate the potential of A.s odoratissimus as bioplastics. Bioplastic from A. odoratissimus was obtained from the starch inside 125 grams of A. odoratissimus seeds that is extracted using sodium metabisulfate. The mechanical properties and biodegradation test were done using glycerol as plasticizer that help to hold the hydrogen bond inside the starch to enhanced its properties. Three different volume of glycerol used, which were 2 ml, 4 ml, and 6 ml tested with 70 grams of starch to determine which volume of glycerol produced better characteristics of bioplastic. The mechanical properties tested in terms of water absorption and the elongation of bioplastic. For water absorption bioplastic film immersed in water for 24 hours and elongation ability obtained from stretched bioplastics film. Biodegradation test done by burying bioplastic for 6 day with the interval of 2 days for observation. The result shows that 70 grams of starch was obtained from 125 grams of A. odoratissimus seeds. From the mechanical test the water absorption and elongation test shows 6 ml of glycerol is the maximum volume to be incorporated in 70 grams of A. odoratissimus starch to enhance the characteristics of bioplastic. The relationship shows p=0.016 with mean and standard deviation of 1.791±0.140 for water absorption and p > 0.05 with mean and standard deviation of 2.45±0.24 for elongation test. Biodegradation shows A. odoratissimus bioplastic are able to degrade within 6 day and that 6 ml shows maximum volume of glycerol that can be incorporated in 70 grams of starch to shows faster degradation of bioplastic. The mean and standard deviation shows 1.422±0.485 with p = 0.001. Thus in conclusion, this indicate that 6ml of glycerol is the optimum number of glycerol to be combine with 70 grams of starch that produced better characteristic of bioplastic due its ability to absorb more water, high elongation, and faster degradation. Recommendation is more on varies amount of starch to be tested with certain amount of glycerol for better study of A. odoratissimus seeds as bioplastics.