TY  - EJOU
AU  - Arifin, Heni Radiani 
AU  - Angelica, Yoan Christina 
AU  - Nurhadi, Bambang 
AU  - Marta, Herlina 
AU  - Nissa, Rossy Choerun 

TI  - Elephant Foot Yam Starch-NCC Bionanocomposite Film Incorporated with Virgin Coconut Oil and Monoglyceride for Hydrophobic and Biodegradable Packaging
T2  - Journal of Renewable Materials

PY  - 2025
VL  - 13
IS  - 3
SN  - 2164-6341

AB  - Bionanocomposite film is produced from renewable and biodegradable natural resources. Although elephant foot yam (EFY) starch (<i>Amorphophallus paeoniifolius</i>) is a promising polymer for bionanocomposite film, the native hydrophilic properties influence the overall performance characteristics. Incorporating virgin coconut oil (VCO) and monoglyceride as hydrophobic components can improve mechanical properties and reduce permeability while increasing the hydrophobicity of the composite. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of adding VCO and monoglyceride on EFY starch-nanocrystalline film at 3 and 5 wt% concentrations. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), morphology, functional groups, biodegradability, and hydrophobicity. The results showed that the addition of 5 wt% monoglyceride produced optimum outcomes by reducing the WVTR to 3.99 g.m<sup>−2</sup>.h<sup>−1</sup>, increasing the thickness to 0.134 mm and decreasing the solubility to 36.04%. The Universal Testing Machine (UTM) tests showed an elongation of 74.59%, showing excellent elasticity. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) test showed the bonds formed with starch granules, leading to a flatter surface. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) test also showed an increase in the wavelength of the C=O groups and a decrease in the O-H groups. The contact angle test processed using image-J showed high hydrophobicity, consequently reducing the biodegradability of bionanocomposite film by the <i>Aspergillus niger</i> fungal degradation test. In conclusion, this study successfully developed bionanocomposite film with enhanced hydrophobicity, elasticity, and barrier properties, highly suitable for protecting food from humid air. The composite holds great potential for further development as an environmentally friendly packaging solution.
KW  - Bionanocomposites film; elephant foot yam starch; monoglycerides; nanocrystalline cellulose; virgin coconut oil

DO  - 10.32604/jrm.2025.057812