The addition of sago starch into natural rubber (NR) latex compounds was aimed to accelerate the degradation process of the end products including gloves as an alternative to reduce solid waste disposal problem. In this research work, the degradation of sago starch filled natural rubber (SS/NR) latex gloves by a mixed culture from buried soil sample was investigated. The Gram staining test of mixed culture showed the Gram-negative bacteria are the dominant species as an effective bacterium to degrade the SS/NR latex gloves. The starch hydrolysis test was performed to confirm the existence of starch-degrading bacteria in mixed culture that consume sago starch from the gloves. Based on the biodegradation rate results obtained, the existence of starch-degrading bacteria together with rubber-degrading bacteria were observed, which accelerate the biodegradation of SS/NR latex gloves by 53.68%. Meanwhile, the biodegradation rate for sago starch unfilled natural rubber (control) latex gloves were only 50.31%. Thus, the addition of sago starch has shown an increased in the biodegradation rate, which can be used as alternative method to overcome the solid waste disposal problem.

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The emission of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) from industrial processes causesodour nuisance to the surrounding community. Thus, the ability of sulphur oxidizing bacteria could eliminate H2S by changing it into non-odorous elemental sulphur or sulphate. In this study, the isolate bacteria of Paracoccus solventivorans ATCC 700252 demonstrated pH reduction from pH 8 to about pH 5.27 with sulphate content production of454.0 g/ml. The growth of Paracoccus sp. was increased using sulphur as elemental carbon and oxygen as electron acceptor. The optimum temperature and pH of Paracoccus sp. were in the range of 30°C to 40°C and pH 7.00 to pH 8.00, respectively. The utilization of Paracoccus sp. will create a potential application for H2S removal and preserve the environment from further odour pollution.

Utilization of agricultural waste toward sustainability has increase a value-added product from a natural resources nowadays. Metroxylan sagu pith waste (MSPW) is a residue from starch extraction process. This research aim to investigate the potential of MSPW as a biodegradable fillers to replace sago starch in Natural Rubber (NR) latex films. The MSPW flour is characterized and compared with sago starch. Results shown MSPW has almost similar properties with sago starch with high content of starch (60%) and moisture (80%). Spectra of MSPW and Sago Starch (SS) are very closed to one another due to the similarity of functional groups. SS has granular shape while MSPW has irregular shape under SEM analysis. The addition of MSPW shown slightly lower tensile properties and tear strength as compared to SS but still within the acceptable value. Thus, MSPW has high potiential to replace SS as biodegradable fillers in NR latex films.

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