Development of Biodegradable Food Packaging from Seaweed and Cassava Starch as an Alternative to Single-Use Plastic

Abstract

The accumulation of single-use plastic packaging threatens ecosystems and human health, with Indonesia ranking as the world's second-largest marine plastic polluter. Biopolymer-based packaging from renewable resources offers a sustainable alternative, yet optimization of locally available Indonesian feedstocks under tropical conditions remains limited. This study developed biodegradable films from Eucheuma cottonii κ-carrageenan and cassava starch across seven formulations (F1–F7) varying the carrageenan-to-starch ratio (10:0 to 0:10 w/w). Physical, mechanical, barrier, thermal, morphological, biodegradation, and food safety properties were evaluated according to ASTM, ISO, SNI, and EU standards. Formulation F4 (5:5 ratio) achieved optimal balance, yielding tensile strength of 18.74 MPa, elongation at break of 32.16%, water vapor transmission rate of 126.8 g/m²·day, oxygen transmission rate of 42.3 cm³/m²·day·atm, and 94.7% biodegradation within 30 days under tropical composting conditions. FTIR confirmed intermolecular hydrogen bonding between carrageenan sulfate and starch hydroxyl groups, while DSC revealed a single thermal transition (71.4°C), confirming polymer miscibility. SEM demonstrated homogeneous, crack-free microstructure. Food safety testing confirmed compliance with SNI and EU migration limits, establishing regulatory readiness. This composite bioplastic, leveraging Indonesia's abundant seaweed and cassava resources, holds strong potential as a commercially viable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional single-use plastic food packaging.