Coconut cellulose takes on plastic
In Indonesia, researchers at Hasanuddin University researchers have developed a biodegradable multilayer polylactic acid film reinforced with coconut water-derived cellulose and butylated hydroxytoluene. The team believes its oxygen-scavenging and mechanical properties make it a viable alternative for most plastic packaging.
The scientists produced bacterial cellulose by fermenting coconut water using a process similar to that used to make nata de coco, a jelly-like food made from fermented coconut water. They then purified and processed the dense cellulose membrane into microcrystalline cellulose powder for use as an additive. The powder was then incorporated into a three-layer PLA film, with the oxygen-scavenging compound BHT positioned only in the two inner layers that come into contact with the food.
The biodegradation rate of the material was found to be 28.86% over 25 days, Andi Dirpan, professor at Hasanuddin University and corresponding author of the study, told Packaging Insights. “These results show that the level of biodegradation is in accordance with that of biodegradable plastics made from similar polymers, which is over 25% within a period of 25 days.”
The findings were published recently in the ASEAN Journal for Science and Engineering in Materials.
Category: Chemicals & Materials
