Open Access

ARTICLE

Valorisation of Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) Bagasse into Cellulose Microfibers for the Reinforcement of Biocomposite Jicama Starch Films

Devita Amelia¹, R. A. Ilyas^1,2,*, Hairul Abral^2,3, Mochamad Asrofi⁴, Muhammad Asyraf Muhammad Rizal^2,5, Mohamad Zaki Hassan⁶, Mohamad Haafiz Mohamad Kassim^2,7,8, Nurul Fazita Mohammad Rawi^2,7,8, Nasrullah Razali⁹, Melbi Mahardika^2,7,8,10,*

1 Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, 81310, Johor, Malaysia
2 Research Collaboration Center for Nanocellulose, BRIN-Andalas University, Padang, 25163, West Sumatera, Indonesia
3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Andalas University, Padang, 25163, West Sumatera, Indonesia
4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Jember, Jember, 68121, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
5 Engineering Design Research Group (EDRG), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, 81310, Johor, Malaysia
6 Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 54100, Malaysia
7 Division of Bioresource Technology, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
8 Cluster of Green Biopolymer, Coatings & Packaging, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
9 Department of Chemical Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, 23111, Aceh, Indonesia
10 Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Serpong, South Tangerang, 15314, Banten, Indonesia

* Corresponding Authors: R. A. Ilyas. Email: ; Melbi Mahardika. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: From Nature to Function: Natural Fiber Cellulose and Starch-Based Materials for a Sustainable Composites)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2026, 14(4), 5 https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0147

Received 17 July 2025; Accepted 09 October 2025; Issue published 24 April 2026

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 55.98% w/w cellulose. Following the incorporation of jicama bagasse microfibers at concentrations ranging from 1 to 3 wt%, the biocomposite film exhibited a statistically significant enhancement (p ≤ 0.05) in its tensile properties and moisture resistance. The biocomposite containing 3 wt% jicama bagasse microfiber exhibited the most favorable properties. Specifically, the tensile strength, crystallinity index, and moisture absorption (after 6 h) of this film were recorded at 9.7 MPa (an increase of 470%), 6.7% (an increase of 14.7%), and 32.6% (a decrease of 31.6%), respectively, in comparison to the pure starch film. These findings indicate that the biocomposite film has considerable potential for application in industrial food packaging.

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