http://www.asianjournalofchemistry.co.in/user/ViewFreeArticle.aspx?ArticleID=30_5_23

Abstract

The mechanical properties of bioplastic prepared from avocado seed starch and mycrocrystalline cellulose from sugar palm fibers as filler using Schweizer's reagent as solvent was studied. Bioplastics were prepared from avocado seed starch and reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from sugar palm fibers with composition ratio were 7:3, 8:2 and 9:1 (w/w) and using glycerol as plasticizer with variation of 0.1; 0.2; 0.3 and 0.4 (v/w of starch). Microcrystalline cellulose dissolved in the copper solution (Schweizer reagent) with ratio of MCC:copper solution is 1:10. Degree of crystallinity of microcrystalline cellulose was 97.5 %. Morphologycal analysis showed that the isolated microcrystalline cellulose from sugar palm fibers are rod-like shape with diameter of 5.55-9.44 m and crystallite size of 25.08 nm. Mechanical properties of bioplastic showed that the best condition of bioplastics obtained at comparison of mass starchmicrocrystalline cellulose 7:3 and the addition of glycerol 0.1 (v/w) for tensile strength 20.874 MPa and elongation at break of 6.22 %.