Biodegradable Film from Paddy Straw

• Main Authors: A. Syahida Farhan, L.C. Kua
• Other Authors: A.B. Siti Hawa
• Format: Conference Paper
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Agricultural waste; Paddy straw; Biodegradable film; Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)
• Online Access: http://ddms.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/6141

Agricultural wastes such as paddy straw are relatively free from wide price fluctuation, as a feedstock for value added product and justifies research and development effort. Few commercial uses for the excess paddy straw have been developed and its accumulation presents waste problems for the paddy straw. The aim of this study was to develop biodegradable films based on blends of paddy straw flour and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The paddy straw contained cellulose 35.0%, hemi cellulose 21.0, lignin 6.0, total nitrogen 1.24 and ash 16.0% on dry weight basis which make the flour a promising material for film production. A series of different PVA types were tested. Blends with higher hydrolysis (HD) degree PVA were more resistant and showing greater tensile strength (TS). However, the films with PVA with lower HD showed more flexibility, greater elongation at break (ELO).