Obtaining Active Polylactide (PLA) and Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Blends Based Bionanocomposites Modified with Graphene Oxide and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (scCO2)-Assisted Cinnamaldehyde: Effect on Thermal-Mechanical, Disintegration and Mass Transport Properties

Bionanocomposites based on Polylactide (PLA) and Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) blends were successfully obtained through a combined extrusion and impregnation process using supercritical CO2 (scCO2). Graphene oxide (GO) and cinnamaldehyde (Ci) were incorporated into the blends as nano-reinforcement and an active compound, respectively, separately, and simultaneously. From the results, cinnamaldehyde quantification values varied between 5.7% and 6.1% (w/w). When GO and Ci were incorporated, elongation percentage increased up to 16%, and, therefore, the mechanical properties were improved, with respect to neat PLA. The results indicated that the Ci diffusion through the blends and bionanocomposites was influenced by the nano-reinforcing incorporation. The disintegration capacity of the developed materials decreased with the incorporation of GO and PHB, up to 14 and 23 days of testing, respectively, without compromising the biodegradability characteristics of the final material.

Investigation of Dimensional and Physical Properties of Eri Silk Bi-Layer Knit Fabrics for Active Wear Applications

The knitwear industry caters to the needs of the modern youth, whose preferences vary according to the trends and tastes of the modern age. This paper endeavors to demonstrate that active wear fabrics made of eri silk have very good physical properties. The main objective of this research is to investigate dimensional and physical properties of plated interlock, mini-flatback rib, and flatback rib structures developed with two different yarn counts (30s and 40s). The dimensional and physical properties of those samples are investigated in terms of dimensional stability, spirality, bursting strength, elongation percentage, fabric areal density, and fabric thickness. Variables such as yarn count and knit structure play a significant role on the dimensional and physical properties of the fabric.

The role of gambeir filtrate and red palm oil in the formation of canna starch based-functional edible film

This study aims to analyze the role of gambier filtrate and red palm oil in the formation of functional edible film and to determine whether the gambier filtrate and red palm oil are synergistic or antagonistic in the formation of functional edible films. The study design used a factorial randomized block design with two treatment factors and each treatment consisted of three levels, namely: gambier filtrate concentration (A): 20, 30, and 40% (v/v) as well as red palm oil concentration (B): 1.2 and 3% (v/v). The observed parameters were thickness, elongation percentage, water vapor transmission rate, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity. Gambier filtrate and red palm oil were capable to improve the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of canna starch-based edible film. Gambier filtrate plays a role in increasing the elongation percentage, thickness, and water vapor transmission rate of edible film.

Effect of Chitosan, Clay, and CMC on Physicochemical Properties of Bioplastic from Banana Corm with Glycerol.

Bioplactic from banana corm and glycerol has been studied in this research. In addition, the physical chemical properties of it has been improved by adding chitosan, clay and CMC as filler and glycerol as plasticizer. Plastic that produced form organic material such as starch usually has poor properties in physical and mechanical. Composition variation of chitosan, clay and CMC as filler then combined by variation of glycerol as plasticizer have produced significant improve of the bioplastic physical properties. Properties of the bioplastic that studied in this research was focused to biodegradation, elongation, and tensile strength. The addition of fillers and plasticizers is carried out to produce a better bioplastics. This study used 3 variations of the filler composition : 4, 5, and 6 grams and 2 variations of the plasticizer composition: 1 ml and 2 ml. The bioplastics that produced were tested for tensile strength, elongation, and biodegradation of the soil for 7 days. The best tensile strength results is 8.43 MPa for bioplastic that using CMC fillers. On the other side, the best elongation percentage is 9.87% for bioplastic which using CMC fillers. The bioplastic that added Clay as filler can be degraded up to 100% in 7 days.

Determination of Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Combined LVX and AMP Impregnated in p(HEMA) Hydrogel

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are nosocomial infections, causing more than one million cases per year. CAUTIs cause serious health issues; in addition, the cost of replacement of the device constrains the employment of urological devices. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel biomaterials for use in catheters. In this study, poly hydroxyethyl-methacrylate p(HEMA) and drugs-loaded p(HEMA) with ampicillin trihydrate (AMP), levofloxacin (LVX), and drug combinations were prepared using free radical polymerization. The characterization of the dried films included the determination of glass transition temperature (Tg), ultimate tensile strength, elongation percentage, and Young’s modulus. Formulation toxicity, antimicrobial activity, and biofilm-formation ability were tested. Decreases in Tg value, U.T.S., and Young’s modulus, and an increase in elongation percentage were observed in AMP-loaded p(HEMA). Different ratios of drug combinations increased the Tg values. The films exhibited a cell viability higher than 80% on HEK 293 cells. Antimicrobial activity increased when p(HEMA) was loaded with LVX or a combination of LVX and AMP. Biofilm-forming ability reduced after the addition of antimicrobial agents to the films. p(HEMA) impregnated with AMP, LVX, and drug combinations showed significantly increased antimicrobial activity and decreased biofilm-forming ability compared with p(HEMA), in addition to the effects on (HEMA) mechanical properties.

Functional Characteristics Improvement of Edible Film through the Addition of Gambier and Bay Leaf Extract

Background: Composing functional edible film focused on local materials has been explored in this study. However, producing an edible film with strong capability as an antioxidant and antimicrobe has not been successful. The incorporation of one or more functional compounds, such as gambier extract and bay leaf extract into canna starch, should offer the solution. Objective: These compounds should work in synergy in order to improve the functional characteristics of edible film. Furthermore, the film should have mechanical characteristics which fulfille Japan Industrial Standard (JIS) (1975), i.e., it should belong to a strong category. Methods: This research studied the effects of gambier extract and bay leaf extract addition on edible film characteristics. A completely randomized design was used, and two factors were investigated, namely gambier extract (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 percent, w/v) and bay leaf extract (0.0, 3.0, and 6.0 percent, w/v). Results: The parameters that were observed included mechanical (thickness, elongation percentage, water vapour transmission rate) as well as functional characteristics (antioxidant and antibacterial activity). The results showed that thickness, elongation percentage and water vapour transmission rate of the functional edible film were 0.18 - 0.27 mm, 7.33 - 9.00% and 30.43 - 46.07g.m-2.d-1, respectively, whereas antioxidant and antibacterial activity (value of inhibition diameter) were 23.24 - 40.58 mg.mL-1 and 1.33 - 1.83 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Edible film produced in this research had an antioxidant activity of strong category with a thickness that fulfilled JIS 1975 standard.

Mechanical Properties of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Edible Films

This study was conducted to extract cellulose and synthesis carboxymethyl cellulose from flour bran. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) was used to confirm the existent of the carboxymethyl group. The sample edible films were prepared using 1, 2, 3, and 4 % CMC, and two types of plasticizers glycerol and sorbitol, (20, 40 and 60) %. Their qualitative, mechanical, reservation and thermal characteristics were studied. Tensile strength ranged 28-51.3 MPa and elongation percentage ranged between 65.5-91.0 %. The thickness of simple cellulose films were 0.018-0.078 mm. The values of solubility (19.05-36.31%) and the permeability values of simple cellulose film increased with the increasing of the plasticized ratio. The highest permeability was 11.99 g.mm/m2.h.kp at 60% glycerol and thermogravimetric analysis for some simple cellulose film plasticized by glycerol were 135, 146.29, 125 and123.23° C.

KARAKTERISTIK SOHUN PATI AREN – KENTANG HITAM DENGAN PENAMBAHAN EKSTRAK UMBI BIT, DAUN SUJI, DAN KUNYIT

<p>Sohun pati aren kentang hitam merupakan sumber karbohidrat alternatif yang dibuat dari 75% pati aren dan 25 % tepung umbi kentang hitam, dengan karakteristik warna hitam kecoklatan sehingga perlu penambahan zat warna alami untuk memperbaiki kenampakan produk. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik produk dengan penambahan pewarnaan alami, yaitu ekstrak umbi bit, kunyit, dan daun suji. Dalam penelitian ini terdapat 5 variasi penambahan ekstrak, yaitu 0,4; 0,6; 0,8; 1,0 dan 1,2 g daun suji atau umbi bit/mL air, sedangkan ekstrak kunyit ditambahkan sebanyak 0,06; 0,12; 0,18; 0,24; dan 0,30 g kunyit/mL air. Analisis sifat fisik meliputi kuat patah, <em>tensile strength</em>, elongasi dan warna sohun, sedangkan analisis sensoris yaitu uji kesukaan dengan atribut warna, aroma, rasa, dan kesukaan keseluruhan. Hasil yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa semakin banyak ekstrak umbi bit, daun suji, dan kunyit yang ditambahkan dalam sohun aren-kentang hitam akan menurunkan kuat patah, <em>tensile strength</em>, engolasi, dan kecerahan sohun. Sohun aren-kentang hitam dengan penambahan ekstrak daun suji dari 0,4 g daun suji / ml air memiliki sifat fisik dan sensoris yang paling baik.</p><p> </p><p>CHARACTERISTIC OF COLEUS ROTUNDIFOLIUS-ARENGA STARCH NOODLE WITH ADDITION EXTRACT FROM BEETROOT, SUJI LEAF, AND TURMERIC</p><p>Coleus rotundifolius arenga starch noodle is an alternative carbohydrate source made from 75% arenga starch and 25% C.rotundifolius tuber flour which has a brownish-black color, so the addition of natural coloring agents is needed to fix its physical appearance. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristic of C.rotundifolius arenga starch noodle with addition of natural color, including beetroot, suji leaf, and turmeric extract. The noodle made with five variations concentration 0.4; 0.6; 0.8; 1.0; and 1.2 g of suji leaf or beetroot/ml water, and 0.06; 0.12; 0.18; 0.24; and 0.30 g turmeric/ml water. Physical properties analyzed are compression strength, tensile strength, elongation percentage and color. Sensory properties analyzed are hedonic scoring of color, odor, taste, and overall. The results showed that the higher concentration of beetroot extract, suji leaf extract, and turmeric extract decreased the compression strength, tensile strength, elongation percentage and brightness properties of starch noodle. The best noodle quality is reached with the addition of suji leaf extract from 0.4 g suji leaf /mL water.</p>

Effect of Al 6061 Alloy Compositions on Mechanical Properties of the Automotive Steering Knuckle Made by Novel Casting Process

This study demonstrates the feasibility of a novel casting process called tailored additive casting (TAC). The TAC process involves injecting the melt several times to fabricate a single component, with a few seconds of holding between successive injections. Using TAC, we can successfully produce commercial-grade automotive steering knuckles with a tensile strength of 383 ± 3 MPa and an elongation percentage of 10.7 ± 1.1%, from Al 6061 alloys. To produce steering knuckles with sufficient mechanical strength, the composition of an Al 6061 alloy is optimized with the addition of Zr, Zn, and Cu as minor elements. These minor elements influence the thermal properties of the melt and alloy, such as their thermal stress, strain rate, shrinkage volume, and porosity. Optimal conditions for heat treatment before and after forging further improve the mechanical strength of the steering knuckles produced by TAC followed by forging.