Valorisation of Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) Bagasse into Cellulose Microfibers for the Reinforcement of Biocomposite Jicama Starch Films
Devita Amelia1, R. A. Ilyas1,2,*, Hairul Abral2,3, Mochamad Asrofi4, Muhammad Asyraf Muhammad Rizal2,5, Mohamad Zaki Hassan6, Mohamad Haafiz Mohamad Kassim2,7,8, Nurul Fazita Mohammad Rawi2,7,8, Nasrullah Razali9, Melbi Mahardika2,7,8,10,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0147
- 24 April 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: From Nature to Function: Natural Fiber Cellulose and Starch-Based Materials for a Sustainable Composites)
Abstract This study characterizes biocomposites derived from jicama starch and reinforced with microfibers obtained from jicama bagasse (JB). The incorporation of jicama bagasse microfibers into the jicama matrix was systematically varied at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt%. The starch film and biocomposite were prepared using solution casting methodologies, employing glycerol as a plasticizing agent. The biocomposites were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the moisture absorption and tensile properties were evaluated. The jicama starch contained 44% w/w amylose, whereas the jicama bagasse microfiber contained… More >