Konjac Biodegradable Film for Packing Thai Caramel

This study explores the development of natural, edible packaging materials derived from fresh konjac corms (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume.) for producing konjac powder and biodegradable films under controlled casting conditions. The films were formulated using a 1% konjac solution, with glycerol added at varying concentrations (0%, 0.1%, and 0.2% v/v). Among the tested formulations, the film without glycerol demonstrated the best performance. Physical characterization showed an average film weight of 0.4436 ± 0.0071 g (total solution weight: 40.0053 ± 0.0056 g), a thickness of 0.048 ± 0.002 mm, and a tensile strength of 2.497 ± 0.044 N/cm². Water solubility tests revealed that the glycerol-free film dissolved quickly, with an average water permeability time of 1.17 ± 0.03 minutes. When applied as a wrapping material for Thai caramel, the glycerol-free film maintained its structural integrity for over 30 days. It preserved the product's quality for up to three months without mold growth. These findings highlight the potential of konjac-based films as a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to conventional synthetic packaging, particularly for food products like Thai caramel.