REINFORCED PECTIN-DES BIOPLASTIC WITH DIFFERENT CONCENTRATION OF CITRIC ACID

The constant demand for synthetic plastics has led to the accumulation of plastic waste in nature due to its non-biodegradable attributes. In this study, the properties of pectin as biodegradable bioplastic were enhanced using Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) as a plasticiser with concentrations of citric acid as a crosslinker that was ranged from 1% to 4%. The physical characteristic and mechanical properties of bioplastics were determined using the thickness test and the tensile test. The sample with 3% citric acid showed the highest thickness value (0.25±0.01 mm). The results showed that the increase in the concentration of citric acid increased the film’s flexibility, thereby influencing the properties of the bioplastic film obtained. The highest citric acid concentration at 4% showed the highest flexibility with 29.02±2.99 MPa, 2.73±0.38% and 10.14±0.88 MPa for tensile strain, tensile stress and Young’s Modulus values, respectively. The presence of peak OH, C=O and C-O from Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy outlined the formation and showed the interactions between the pectin, DES and citric acid in the bioplastic that was produced. In conclusion, the properties of bioplastic/pectin/DES were altered with the different concentrations of citric acid either as a crosslinker or as a plasticiser to become a new green alternative to synthetic plastics.