BIODEGRADABILITY OF CASSAVA EDIBLE BIOPLASTICS IN LANDFILL AND PLANTATION SOIL. Biodegradation research of the edible bioplastic from cassava starch by carbon dioxide analysis has not been widely reported. This research aimed to evaluate biodegradability of edible bioplastic made from cassava starch by using two natural inoculums i,e landfill and plantation soil. The edible bioplastics used in this study were bioplastic with and without hydrophobic liquid. Biodegradation test of the bioplastic was then compared to HDPE plastic. The test was conducted in the glass jar for 60 days. The carbon dioxide generated from the biodegradation process was absorbed by 0.1 N sodium hydroxide and titrated with 0.1 N HCl. There was no carbon dioxide released from the HDPE plastic during the test. Biodegradation of the bioplastic in plantation soil was higher than in landfill soil. Biodegradation rate of the bioplastic in landfill soil was 0.201 mg CO2/day and 0.249 mg CO2/day for bioplastic without and with hydrophobic liquid, respectively. Biodegradation rate of the bioplastic in plantation soil was 0.604 mg CO2/day and 0.424 mg CO2/day for bioplastic without and with hydrophobic liquid, respectively. Complete biodegradation of the bioplastic in landfill soil was predicted in 431 days and 366 days for bioplastic without and with hydrophobic liquid, respectively. In another hand, complete biodegradation of the bioplastic in plantation soil predicted in 151 days and 201 days for bioplastic without and with hydrophobic liquid, respectively. Microbes population in the soil could be affected the biodegradation rate of the bioplastics.

There are growing interest to use cellulose as renewable material in order to replace non-renewable polymeric materials. Alteration and chemical modifications of the cellulose by oxidation is needed to improve its properties and functionality. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidation effect of the cellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) using hydrogen peroxide in alkaline condition. Cellulose has been isolated and purified by sodium hydroxide method followed by sodium hypochlorite bleaching. The oxidation effect of the cellulose by hydrogen peroxide was investigated by component analysis of the lignocelluloses, visual analysis, physical and chemical properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to evaluate the changes of functional groups. Digesting of the OPEFB by sodium hydroxide at temperature 160oC for 4 hours reduced lignin content from 22.58% to 16.60%, increase cellulose and hemicelluloses content from 60.76% to 73.87% and 25.86% to 30.95%, respectively. Treatment of the OPEFB pulp using sodium hypochlorite removed all residual lignin. Cellulose content was increased up to 90.86%. Degree of polymerization of the oxidized cellulose was reduced from 1997 to 658. Carboxyl groups of celluloses was significantly increased and confirmed by titration analysis. OPEFB cellulose fiber was damage and broken, meanwhile crystallinity of the cellulose was reduced.Keywords: cellulose, oxidation, oil palm empty fruit bunch, carboxyl group, crystallinity, physical properties Oksidasi Selulosa dari Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit menggunakan Hidrogen Peroksida dalam Kondisi BasaAbstrakPerhatian untuk memanfaatkan selulosa sebagai polimer terbarukan untuk menggantikan polimer tidak terbarukan mengalami peningkatan. Perubahan dan modifikasi kimia selulosa melalui proses oksidasi diperlukan untuk meningkatkan sifat dan fungsi selulosa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari pengaruh oksidasi selulosa dari tandan kosong kelapa sawit (TKKS) menggunakan hidrogen peroksida dalam suasana basa. Selulosa diisolasi dan dimurnikan dengan metode natrium hidroksida dan dilanjutkan dengan pemutihan natrium hipoklorit. Efek oksidasi selulosa oleh hidrogen peroksida dievaluasi menggunakan analisis komponen lignoselulosa, analisis visual, sifat fisik dan kimia. Analisis spektroskopi inframerah (FTIR) digunakan untuk mengevaluasi perubahan gugus fungsional selulosa. Pemasakan TKKS dengan natrium hidroksida pada suhu160oC selama 4 jam mengurangi kandungan lignin dari 22,58% menjadi 16,60%, meningkatkan kandungan selulosa dari 60,76% menjadi 73,87% dan hemiselulosa dari 25,86% menjadi 30,95%. Perlakuan pulp TKKS menggunakan natrium hipoklorit menghilangkan semua sisa lignin. Kandungan selulosa meningkat hingga 90,86%. Oksidasi selulosa dengan hidrogen peroksida menurunkan derajat polimerisasi selulosa dari 1997 menjadi 658. Gugus karboksil selulosa meningkat secara signifikan dan dikonfirmasi dengan analisis titrasi. Analisis visual menunjukkan kerusakan serabut selulosa, sesuai dengan pengurangan kristalinitas selulosa.Kata kunci: selulosa, oksidasi, tandan kosong kelapa sawit, gugus karboksil, kristalinitas, sifat fisik