Characterization of Thermoplastic Starch from Bitter Cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz) with Undirectional Abaca Fibers (Musasp.) and Titanium Dioxide Particles

Abstract

Major problems in plastics have caused unexpected calamities all throughout the Philippines specifically in urban areas like Pasay City. Thermoplastic starch which is renewable, biodegradable and environmental-friendly plastic was investigated to fill-in this dilemma. Fabricating and characterising thermoplastic starch from bitter cassava with unidirectional abaca fibres and titanium dioxide particles was studied. Thermoplastic starch from bitter cassava was produced by wet extraction process at room temperature using glycerol as plasticiser and water and kappa carrageenan as gelatinizing agents. Four setups (A, B, C and D) were formulated to contrast the effectivity of each variable. All setups were mixed under IKA RW 20 digital at 550 rpm for 5 minutes and degassed within 10 minutes after it was mixed. The mixtures were compression moulded and characterised by different tests under surface morphology, tensile strength test and thermal ageing test. All setups differ in physical properties regarding colour and texture except for the odour. Results showed that Setup C, which is the thermoplastic starch with abaca fibres has the highest significant tensile strength among the other setups. While Setup D which has both the abaca fibres and titanium dioxide exhibited the best weather ability design above all. The use of abaca fibres and titanium dioxide increased the tensile strength and weather ability properties of thermoplastic starch making them a suitable and very promising component in TPS compositions.