Manufacturing and Characterization of Bioplastic from Chitosan and Rambutan Seed (Nephelium lappaceum L.) Starch with the Addition of Sorbitol as Plasticizer
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Keywords:
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Bioplastic, Chitosan, Nephelium lappaceum, Plasticizer, Sorbitol, Starch
Abstract
A bioplastic formulated from chitosan and rambutan seed starch (Nephelium lappaceum L.), with sorbitol added as a plasticizer, presents a promising innovation to reduce the reliance on conventional plastics, which contribute to an annual waste accumulation of 381 million tons. This study aims to produce bioplastic from chitosan and rambutan seed starch, to analyze its physical and mechanical properties, and to determine the optimal composition. The bioplastic was fabricated using the solution casting method, with heating at 85-95◦C and drying in an oven at 60◦C for approximately 24 hours. The resulting bioplastic exhibited favorable tensile strength and elongation, as well as rapid biodegradability in soil. FTIR analysis revealed functional groups including O-H, C-H, N-H, C-O, and C-C, indicating the presence of corresponding components. The best composition was achieved with a starch-to-chitosan ratio of 40:60% and 20% sorbitol, resulting in a thickness of 0.21 mm, density of 0.80 g/cm3, water absorption
of 41.17%, tensile strength of 52.53 N/mm2, elongation of 22.64%, and biodegradability of 36.67%. TGA analysis showed three degradation stages i.e. water dehydration, starch degradation, and chitosan degradation.
References
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Suryanegara, L., W. Fatriasari, D. Zulfiana, S. H. Anita, N. Masruchin, S. Gutari, and T. Kemala (2021). Novel Antimicrobial Bioplastic Based on PLA–Chitosan by Addition of TiO₂ and ZnO. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 19(1); 415–425
Webb, H. K., J. Arnott, R. J. Crawford, and E. P. Ivanova (2013). Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate). Polymers, 5(1); 1–18
Awolu, O. O., J. W. Odoro, J. B. Adeloye, and O. M. Lawal (2020). Physicochemical Evaluation and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Characterization of Quality Protein Maize Starch Subjected to Different Modifications. Journal of Food Science, 85(10); 3052–3060
Azzatul, F., M. H. A. Jahurul, J. Norliza, M. R. Norazlina, M. Hasmadi, M. S. Sharifudin, P. Matanjun, and J. S. Lee (2020). Characteristics of Rambutan (Nephelium Lappaceum L.) Seed Fat Fractions and Their Potential Application as Cocoa Butter Improver. Food Research, 4; 852–859
Ballesteros-Mártinez, L., C. Pérez-Cervera, and R. Andrade-Pizarro (2020). Effect of Glycerol and Sorbitol Concentrations on Mechanical, Optical, and Barrier Properties of Sweet Potato Starch Film. NFS Journal, 20; 1–9
Boshagh, F. (2021). Measurement Methods of Carbohydrates in Dark Fermentative Hydrogen Production—A Review. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46(47); 24028–24050
Brigode, C., P. Hobbi, H. Jafari, F. Verwilghen, E. Baeten, and A. Shavandi (2020). Isolation and Physicochemical Properties of Chitin Polymer from Insect Farm Side Stream as a New Source of Renewable Biopolymer. Journal of Cleaner Production, 275; 122924
Diez, N. Q. V., D. V. L. Malabanan, K. E. Tamaray, and E. C. Garcia (2020). Nutritional Quality, Organoleptic Property, and Sensory Analysis of Rambutan (Nephalium Lappaceum) Seed Flour. LPU-Laguna Journal of Arts and Sciences, 3(3); 1–6
Donmez, D., L. Pinho, B. Patel, P. Desam, and O. H. Campanella (2021). Characterization of Starch–Water Interactions and Their Effects on Two Key Functional Properties: Starch Gelatinization and Retrogradation. Current Opinion in Food Science, 39; 103–109
Fatoni, A., P. L. Hariani, Hermansyah, and A. Lesbani (2018). Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan Linked by Methylene Bridge and Schiff Base of 4,4-Diaminodiphenyl Ether-Vanillin. Indonesian Journal of Chemistry, 18(1); 92–101
Gabriel, A. A., A. F. Solikhah, and A. Y. Rahmawati (2021). Tensile Strength and Elongation Testing for Starch-Based Bioplastics Using Melt Intercalation Method: A Review. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1858(1); 012028
Grzybek, P., L. Jakubski, and G. Dudek (2022). Neat Chitosan Porous Materials: A Review of Preparation, Structure Characterization and Application. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(17); 9932
Gunawan, M., T. Hudaya, and T. H. Soerawidjaja (2021). Synthesis of Bio-Hexane and Bio-Hexene from Sorbitol Using Formic Acid as Reducing Agent. Journal of Engineering & Technological Sciences, 53(1); 210106
Huang, C., F. Sun, X. Ma, C. Gao, N. Yang, and K. Nishinari (2022). Hydrophobically Modified Chitosan Microgels Stabilize High Internal Phase Emulsions with High Compliance. Carbohydrate Polymers, 288; 119277
Ibrahim, M. I. J., S. M. Sapuan, E. S. Zainudin, and M. Y. M. Zuhri (2019). Physical, Thermal, Morphological, and Tensile Properties of Cornstarch-Based Films as Affected by Different Plasticizers. International Journal of Food Properties, 22(1); 925–941
Istiqomah, A., W. Eko, P. Maulidan, and F. Triana (2025). Multivariate Optimization of Chitosan / Starch / Aloe Vera Packaging Film for Beef Fillet Preservation: Insights into Interaction Mechanisms and Evaluation of Sustainability Metrics. Food Biophysics, 20(1); 36
Istiqomah, A., W. E. Prasetyo, M. Firdaus, and T. Kusumaningsih (2022a). Valorisation of Lemongrass Essential Oils Greatly Enhanced Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 210; 669–681
Istiqomah, A., O. A. Saputra, M. Firdaus, and T. Kusumaningsih (2024). Response Surface Methodology as an Excellent Tool for Optimizing Sustainable Food Packaging: A Review Central Composite Design. Journal of Biosystems Engineering; 1–19
Istiqomah, A., M. R. Utami, M. Firdaus, V. Suryanti, and T. Kusumaningsih (2022b). Antibacterial Chitosan–Dioscorea Alata Starch Film Enriched with Essential Oils Optimally Prepared by Following Response Surface Methodology. Food Bioscience, 46; 101603
Jahurul, M. H. A., F. S. Azzatul, M. S. Sharifudin, M. J. Norliza, M. Hasmadi, J. S. Lee, M. Patricia, S. Jinap, M. R. R. George, M. F. Khan, et al. (2020). Functional and Nutritional Properties of Rambutan (Nephelium Lappaceum L.) Seed and Its Industrial Application: A Review. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 99; 367–374
Khajavian, M., V. Vatanpour, R. Castro-Muñoz, and G. Boczkaj (2022). Chitin and Derivative Chitosan-Based Structures—Preparation Strategies Aided by Deep Eutectic Solvents: A Review. Carbohydrate Polymers, 275; 118702
Kusumaningsih, T., A. Istiqomah, M. Firdaus, and V. Suryanti (2023). A Green Metrics Approach Toward Antibacterial Chitosan/Starch-Based Films Reinforced with Garlic Oil for Extending the Shelf-Life of Capsicum Annum. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 58(10); 5311–5318
Kusumawati, R., Syamdidi, A. H. D. Abdullah, R. C. Nissa, B. Firdiana, R. Handayani, I. Munifah, F. R. Dewi, J. Basmal, and S. Wibowo (2025). Physical Properties of Biodegradable Chitosan–Cassava Starch Based Bioplastic Film Mechanics. Science and Technology Indonesia, 10(1); 191–200
Lim, W. S., S. Y. Ock, G. D. Park, I. W. Lee, M. H. Lee, and H. J. Park (2020). Heat-Sealing Property of Cassava Starch Film Plasticized with Glycerol and Sorbitol. Food Packaging and Shelf Life, 26; 100556
Ncube, L. K., A. U. Ude, E. N. Ogunmuyiwa, R. Zulkifli, and I. N. Beas (2020). Environmental Impact of Food Packaging Materials: A Review of Contemporary Development from Conventional Plastics to Polylactic Acid Based Materials. Materials, 13(21); 1–24
Neelam, A., O. Hany, S. Ishteyaq, K. Nawaz, S. J. Mahmood, and M. Siddique (2018). Analysis of Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Degradation of Gelatin-Based Film–Exploring the Biopolymer for Plastic Advancement. Journal of Applied and Emerging Sciences, 8(1); 39
Oberlintner, A., A. Vesel, K. Naumoska, B. Likozar, and U. Novak (2022). Permanent Hydrophobic Coating of Chitosan/-Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Film by Cold Plasma Processing. Applied Surface Science, 597; 153562
Okunola, A. A., I. O. Kehinde, A. Oluwaseun, and E. A. Olufiropo (2019). Public and Environmental Health Effects of Plastic Wastes Disposal: A Review. Journal of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, 5(2); 1–13
Oluwasina, O. O., B. P. Akinyele, S. J. Olusegun, O. O. Oluwasina, and N. D. S. Mohallem (2021). Evaluation of the Effects of Additives on the Properties of Starch-Based Bioplastic Film. SN Applied Sciences, 3(4); 1–12
Pradeep, M., R. F. Binoy, S. Yaswanth, T. T. Pullan, and M. Joseph (2022). Investigations on Chitin and Coconut Fiber Reinforcements on Mechanical and Moisture Absorption Properties of Corn Starch Bioplastics. Materials Today: Proceedings, 58; 65–70
Rahmatullah, R. W. Putri, M. Rendana, U. Waluyo, and T. Andrianto (2022). Effect of Plasticizer and Concentration on Characteristics of Bioplastic Based on Cellulose Acetate from Kapok (Ceiba Pentandra) Fiber. Science and Technology Indonesia, 7(1); 73–83
Sariningsih, N., D. S. Handayani, and T. Kusumaningsih (2019). Development and Characterization of the Mechanical Properties of Edible Film from Ginger Starch, Chitosan with Glycerin as Plasticizer to Food Packaging. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 600(1); 012011
Suryanegara, L., W. Fatriasari, D. Zulfiana, S. H. Anita, N. Masruchin, S. Gutari, and T. Kemala (2021). Novel Antimicrobial Bioplastic Based on PLA–Chitosan by Addition of TiO₂ and ZnO. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 19(1); 415–425
Webb, H. K., J. Arnott, R. J. Crawford, and E. P. Ivanova (2013). Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate). Polymers, 5(1); 1–18
Authors
Kusumaningsih, T., Firdaus, M., Handayani, D., Rahayu, W. V., Vegasty, S. ., Ningsih, D. A. F., & Istiqomah, A. (2025). Manufacturing and Characterization of Bioplastic from Chitosan and Rambutan Seed (Nephelium lappaceum L.) Starch with the Addition of Sorbitol as Plasticizer. Science and Technology Indonesia, 10(4), 990–998. https://doi.org/10.26554/sti.2025.10.4.990-998
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