Browsing by Author "T.C. Sunarti"

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    Corn Hominy, a Potential Material for Biodegradable Foam
    (Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Pertanian, 2013) E.S. Iriani; T.T. Irawadi; T.C. Sunarti; N. Richana; I. Yuliasih
    Our dependence on styrofoam for single used food packaging is very high due to its high strength, low density and low cost. However, despite of all the advantages, there are some problems caused by styrofoam such as enviromental issued and health problems. Agromaterials such as corn hominy, a by-product of dry-milling industry, is a potential source to be used as raw material for biodegradable foam production due to its composition that contains starch, fiber, protein and lipid which are necessary for producing biofoam. Fibers can act as reinforcement fillers, meanwhile starch needed for expansion and also as a binder. Protein as natural polymer can synergized with starch to perform strength matrix. Fat will acts as lubricant for demolding process and also as plasticizer to improve mechanical properties of the foam. Some additional materials such as tapioca and synthetic polymer such as poly vinyl alcohol (PVOH) still needed to improve physical and mechanical properties of biofoam. There are many techniques that can be used for producing biodegradable foam such as thermopressing, extrusion, and microwave assisted moulded. Different techniques resulted different shape and function of biofoam such as peanut foam, tray biofoam or molded biofoam. Utilization of corn hominy for producing biodegradable foam, can increase added value of corn hominy, decreasing enviromental problem such as pollution caused by styrofoam and also improve the level of public health.