Agromaterials such as starch and fiber are very promising raw materials to reduce our dependence on polystyrene. Corn hominy, a by-product of the corn milling industry, is a potential source to reinforce starch-baked foam. The effects of corn hominy and PVOH addition on mechanical properties of Cassava starch foam were investigated. Different formulations of Cassava starch, corn hominy and PVOH were mixed with liquid to get total solids at 50% and baked in a thermopressing machine at 150-170°C for 2 min. The results showed that corn hominy and PVOH addition can improve compressibility and tensile strength of the foams but gave denser foam and darker color. Ratio of tapioca: corn hominy: PVOH ¼ (75:25):30% gave the best foam properties.

16,67; 26,54; dan 16,11 jam.

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Several species of Aquilaria and Gyrinops are native to Indonesia and well known as agarwood-producing trees with a high economic value. Their bioactive compounds have a wide spectrum of uses, such as in medicine and cosmetics. These genera have undergone extensive search for novel bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize the endophytic fungi community associated with Aquilaria malaccensis, A. microcarpa, Gyrinops versteegii, and A. crassna trees and investigate their bioactive properties as antioxidant agents and antagonists. A total of 50 fungi were successfully isolated from different tissues of the four species of agarwood-producing trees. Two isolates exhibited strong antioxidant activity, namely, Apodus oryzae (R2MC3A, IC 50 60.92 mg/mL) and Diaporthe sp. (P1DS1[C], IC 50 76.65 mg/mL). Two isolates, Pestalotiopsis theae (P3BS3[B]) and Curvularia sp. (P2CD3A), showed >75% antifungal activity against pathogenic Fusarium solani. The results revealed that endophytic fungi associated with the studied agarwood-producing trees had potential antioxidant and antifungal activities for further applications in biotechnology.