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ABSTRACT
The growing demand for sustainable materials and the imperative to safeguard environmental health have spurred a heightened interest in biodegradable films. One promising material for this purpose is the composite of starch and hydroxyapatite. The starch, derived from coco yam (specifically the red species Xanthosoma sagittifolium), was combined with adipic acid templated hydroxyapatite, forming a composite film with glycerol as a plasticizer. This study characterized the starch-based hydroxyapatite film in terms of film thickness, mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break), water permeability, biodegradability, and microbial analysis (antibacterial and antifungal sensitivity). Results revealed a thickness variation from 0.07 mm to 0.10 mm corresponding to the decrease in hydroxyapatite mass from 1g to 0.2g. The mechanical analysis indicated an increase in tensile strength from 0.0877 kg/mm² to 0.1317 kg/mm² as the mass of hydroxyapatite increased from 0.2g to 1g, while elongation at break decreased from 24% to 10% within the same range. Water permeability ranged from 0.875 g/mm/hr. to 0.330 g/mm/hr. over a period of 1hr to 4hrs. Biodegradability tests demonstrated complete film degradation in soil without any trace remaining. Microbial analysis revealed no inhibition against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus. However, the film exhibited activity against Serratia marcescens. Fungal isolates displayed resistance to the biodegradable plastic films. The film produced holds potential as a packaging material or coating, offering a sustainable solution in various applications.
