Tensile, thermal, and antimicrobial properties of eco-friendly rotten cassava starch-based bioplastics enhanced with tea tree essential oil

Usof, Faiqah Batrisyia and Chan, Wei Chao and Adrus, Nadia and Ali, Fathilah and Masri, Asiah Nusaibah and Samsudin, Sani Amril and Mohammed Yusuf, Mohd Asmadi and Jamaluddin, Jamarosliza (2026) Tensile, thermal, and antimicrobial properties of eco-friendly rotten cassava starch-based bioplastics enhanced with tea tree essential oil. ChemistrySelect, 11 (19). pp. 1-10. ISSN 2365-6549 E-ISSN 2365-6549

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Abstract

Cassava starch-based bioplastics incorporating tea tree oil (TTO) were developed as an antimicrobial and sustainable packaging alternative. In this study, rotten cassava (RC) starch was evaluated as a raw material and compared with fresh cassava (FC) starch. FTIR analysis indicated that both RC and FC starches possessed identical functional groups, confirming similar chemical structures. The analysis revealed that although RC film exhibited a yellowish-brown color, it only demonstrated 7% lower transparency compared to the clear FC film. FC film exhibited slightly better mechanical properties, with 25% higher tensile strength and 8% greater elongation at break compared to the RC film. Moreover, thermal analysis revealed that RC film had a higher glass transition temperature but slightly lower thermal stability than FC film. Biodegradability tests indicated that RC degraded faster than FC film, with approximately 8.5% greater weight loss. Furthermore, both FC and RC films demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. These results indicate that RC starch-based bioplastics with incorporated TTO provide comparable functional properties to FC films while offering enhanced biodegradability and effective antimicrobial activity. These findings support the use of RC starch as a feasible alternative for bioplastic production, thereby contributing to sustainability and circular economy goals.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	biodegradability; bioplastic; rotten cassava; tea tree oil; tensile properties
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP1080 Polymers, plastics and their manufacture T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP200 Manufacture and use of chemicals
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Biotechnology Engineering
Depositing User:	Dr Fathilah Ali
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2026 14:56
Last Update:	21 Oct 2026 14:56
Queue Number:	2026-10-Q5746
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131846
Indexed In:	WOS and SCOPUS, Google Scholar

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