Thermoplastic Starch–PVA Nanocomposite Films Reinforced with Nanocellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFBs): Effect of Starch Type

ABSTRACT

This research studied the effect of three types of starch on the properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS)–Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–cellulose nanocomposite films. Three different types of starch with amylose and amylopectin contents used were corn starch, cassava starch, and sago starch. Meanwhile, the nanocellulose was isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs) by mechanical treatment using ultrafine grinder. The nanocomposite films were made by evaporation casting method. It was found that the difference of amylose content in the native starch affected the properties of nanocomposite films. Meanwhile, the nanocellulose added into matrix TPS–PVA could increase tensile strength of TPS–PVA nanocomposite films.     

Nanocellulose-based fibres derived from palm oil by-products and their in vitro biocompatibility analysis

Abstract

Fibres with nanocellulose isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs) were produced. Nanocellulose and PVA-nanocellulose fibres were prepared by wet spinning in an acetone coagulation bath without drawing. The addition of nanocellulose was varied from 10% to 30%, to reveal the beneficial effects of nanocellulose content on the properties of produced spun-fibres. Higher concentration of nanocellulose increased the stiffness of spun-fibres. PVA and PVA-bacterial cellulose fibres were also produced as a control and for comparison, respectively. The nanocellulose fibre formed a compact structure, while PVA fibres had hollow structures. The effect of the produced spun-fibres on the biocompatibility of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells was assayed by an MTT test. Based on the MTT assay the addition of nanocellulose increased the percentage of cell viability of the obtained spun-fibres slightly. These results point towards the use of sustainable sources of nanocellulose as a beneficial and biocompatible fibre material.