STARCH NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED BY THE MICROEMULSION METHOD: CHARACTERIZATION AND THEIR APPLICATION AS BIOPLASTICS

Starch-based bioplastic is a material that breaks down naturally and is designed to address environmental and health concerns caused by the usage of petroleum-based plastics. Modified starch, including nano-sized forms, provides improved functional characteristics to the original. In this study, cassava starch nanoparticles (CSNPs) were produced and used as bioplastics. CSNPs were prepared utilizing the precipitation in water-in-oil microemulsion method with different surfactants, including Span 60 and Tween 80. Furthermore, bioplastic was manufactured using the casting method, with the inclusion of glycerol. The results revealed that CSNPs treated with Span 60 had a smaller particle size of 127 nm and a higher gelatinization temperature of 99.35 oC than Tween 80. Bioplastics produced from CSNPs/Span 60 were also more hydrophobic and mechanically stable than bioplastics made from native cassava.