Sains Malaysiana 49(2)(2020): 323-333

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2020-4902-10

Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose - Wheat Starch Based Films Incorporated Thymol Intended for Active Packaging

(Fizikokimia dan Pencirian Haba Hidroksietil Selulosa - Kanji Gandum berasaskan Filem Gabungan Timol Bertujuan untuk Pembungkusan Aktif)

NOZIEANA KHAIRUDDIN¹*, IDA IDAYU MUHAMAD², WAN AIZAN WAN ABD RAHMAN² & BAZLUL MOBIN SIDDIQUE³

¹Department of Basic Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, P.O. Box 396, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

²Department of Bioprocess and Polymer Engineering, School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

³School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 8 April 2019/Diterima: 10 November 2019

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable packing materials with antimicrobial properties have been a concern for years because of its positive environmental implications. The present work aimed to develop the formulation of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)/wheat-starch based film in which the active compound, thymol (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5% w/w) were incorporated into the polymeric material.  Solution casting method was used for the film preparation while thymol was incorporated prior to casting. The physical and chemical properties of the developed film were determined. SEM was found to have a smooth and homogeneous with a small amount of thymol which grows coarser with 1.5% or higher thymol content. FTIR was used to find the chemical property of the film and suggested that the carbonyl functional group was unchanged in the film, however, -OH groups increased substantially with increased amount of thymol. Thermal properties were profiled through thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimeter where the AM film containing 1.5% (w/v) of thymol shows the highest thermal stability and decomposes less in comparison to other samples. The inhibitory capability of the film was tested against a list of microbial contamination and was found to successfully inhibit the growth of selected gram positive and gram negative bacteria in a wide range of studied concentration. The mechanical properties of the films were improved by 60.3% with an optimum tensile strength at thymol concentration of 1.5% w/w.  It can be concluded that the film properties are retained chemically whereas mechanical properties, strength, flexibility and function of the film are being enhanced remarkably by the incorporation of thymol.

Keywords: Active packaging; hydroxyethyl cellulose; thymol; wheat based film

ABSTRAK

Bahan pembungkusan biodegradasi dengan sifat antimikrob telah menjadi kebimbangan selama ini kerana implikasinya terhadap alam sekitar. Kertas ini bertujuan untuk membangunkan formulasi hidroksietil selulosa (HEC)/kanji-gandum berasaskan filem dengan sebatian aktif timol (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 dan 2.5% w/w) digabungkan ke dalam bahan polimer. Kaedah larutan tuangan telah digunakan untuk penyediaan filem manakala timol telah digabungkan sebelum tuangan. Sifat fizikal dan kimia filem yang dibangunkan telah ditentukan. SEM yang diperoleh adalah licin dan homogen dengan sedikit timol telah menjadi kasar dengan 1.5% atau lebih tinggi kandungan timol. FTIR telah digunakan untuk mencari sifat kimia filem dan mencadangkan bahawa kumpulan fungsian karbonil tidak berubah dalam filem, walau bagaimanapun, kumpulan -OH meningkat dengan ketara dengan peningkatan jumlah timol. Sifat terma telah diprofil melalui analisis termogravimetri dan pengimbasan pembezaan kalorimeter dengan filem AM yang mengandungi 1.5% (w/v) timol menunjukkan kestabilan haba tertinggi dan reput yang kurang berbanding sampel lain. Keupayaan rencatan filem telah diuji terhadap satu senarai pencemaran mikrob dan didapati berjaya merencat pertumbuhan bakteria gram positif dan gram negatif terpilih dalam pelbagai kepekatan. Sifat mekanik filem ini telah bertambah baik sebanyak 60.3% dengan kekuatan tegangan optimum pada 1.5% w/w kepekatan timol. Boleh disimpulkan bahawa sifat kimia filem dikekalkan manakala sifat mekanik, kekuatan, kefleksibelan dan fungsi filem telah ditingkatkan dengan begitu baik dengan  gabungan timol.

Kata kunci: Gandum berasaskan filem; hidroksietil selulosa; pembungkusan aktif; timol

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: nozieana@upm.edu.my