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The Idea of this experiment was to test if cassava flour can be used to create bioplastics. This was needed to determine the effect of lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon citratus) addition in varied concentrations (0%; 0.25%; 0.5%; 0.75% and 1%) on the characteristics of cassava starch-based edible film, including thickness, water vapour transmission rate, tensile strength, percent elongation, and antimicrobial activity. The processing of edible film was done by dissolving 5grams of cassava starch with 150 ml of distilled water until it diffused (Hasyim 2008). Furthermore, based on research by Firdaus et al. (2008), cassava starch solution was heated at 68°C until the solution gelatinised. 2 ml of gelatinised glycerol was added to the solution, mixed, and heated at 60°C for 30 minutes. After the heating process, cooling  process was carried out until the temperature reached 30°C. Essential oil of lemongrass was put into the solution after the cooling process, and stirred with a magnetic stirrer. The  concentration of essential oil used varied from 0%; 0.25%; 0.5%; 0.75% and 1% by the volume of distilled water used. Edible film solution was poured on the top of plastic trays and dried for 5 hours of drying at a temperature of 75°C (Wigati 2014). 

When I tested this experiment, I used cassava flour, instead of cassava starch or tapioca starch. Therefore, when heating up the mixture of cassava flour and distilled water, Most of it did not become gelatinised, I waited a bit longer until I realised that the bottom of the mixture had become gelatinised and soon realised that it was the starchy part of the flour that got gelatinised. However, I managed to scoop some of it out and use it but it was very little. When I put it in the oven to dry for 5 hours it was not drying. I decided to do this experiment again. However, using cassava starch and properly measuring each quantity and using the correct temperatures.

Cassava Starch and Lemongrass Oil ; Trial 1

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IMPROVING PROTOTYPE 1

When testing my first prototype; Using lemongrass essential oil and cassava starch to create soluble plastic, I was not able to get cassava starch, so instead I used cassava flour and therefore the starchy part of the flour was very little and it mixed with the other parts of the flour. Using Potato Starch

Cassava Starch and Lemongrass Oil ; Trial 2

 

For this test, instead of using cassava flour, I will be testing to see if I can use Potato Starch.

TESTS

STRENGTH

FLEXIBILITY

BIODEGRADABILITY

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