| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of microwave power level and alkalization
time on the characteristics of nanocrystalline cellulose from palm fiber, to analyze the effect of
adding nanocrystalline cellulose and lemongrass extract to the characteristics of biocomposite
films, and to analyze the effect of adding lemongrass extract on the antimicrobial properties of
biocomposite films. In this study, palm fiber was alkalized using a microwave with various
power levels of 224, 308, and 401 watts for 45, 55, and 65 minutes. Then proceed with the
bleaching process using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydrolysis using 60% sulfuric acid
(H2SO4). The starch used in this study came from taro tubers. The casting method is used in
the manufacture of bioplastics and biocomposites with the addition of nanocrystalline
cellulose as a filler of 2–8% and lemongrass extract as an antimicrobial agent of 6–24%. The
results of the XRD analysis showed that the highest crystallinity index was obtained for
nanocrystalline cellulose with a power of 401 W and an alkalization time of 65 minutes, which
was 86.61%. FTIR analysis showed that the obtained cellulose nanocrystals were free from
impurities such as lignin and hemicellulose. FE-SEM results show that cellulose nanocrystals
are spherical or spherical in shape, oval and irreguler with an average size of 58.6 nm. The
FTIR results on the biocomposite showed sharper absorption peaks as the composition of the
nanocrystalline cellulose and lemongrass extract increased. The best results for tensile strength
and water vapor transmission rate were 13.08 MPa and 2.29 gram/m2/hour obtained by adding
4% nanocrystalline cellulose and 18% lemongrass extract. This is supported by the results of
SEM analysis, where the morphology of the biocomposite showed a better dispersion of
nanocrystalline cellulose. The best value of elongation at break was 7.82%, which was
obtained by adding 2% nanocrystalline cellulose and 24% lemongrass extract. The best value
of the water solubility test was the addition of 8% nanocrystalline cellulose and 0%
lemongrass extract, with a value of 17.99%. The thermal stability of the biocomposite filled
with nanocrystalline cellulose with and without the addition of lemongrass extract was better
than the thermal stability of taro starch films, characterized by an increased degradation
temperature at a weight loss of 5–75%. Fish meat packed with biocomposite film with the
addition of citronella extract 18 and 24% can extend the shelf life of fish meat as indicated by
the results of the Total Plate Number (ALT) test which exceeded the maximum ALT limit on
the 5th day of storage. | en_US |
