Synthesis and Characterization of Edible Plastic Based on Waste-Derived Durian Seed Starch with Patchouli Leaf Extract as Eco-Friendly Primary Packaging

Abstract

Plastic pollution remains a global environmental issue, particularly in the food sector, which heavily relies on single-use plastic packaging. Dependence on conventional plastics exacerbates environmental degradation due to their non-biodegradable nature. Therefore, innovation in environmentally friendly packaging materials based on biodegradable bioplastics that are safe for food applications is urgently needed. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize edible bioplastics derived from durian seed starch with the addition of patchouli leaf extract (Pogostemon cablin) as a bioactive agent. The starch was obtained through sedimentation and drying methods, while patchouli oil was extracted using the Soxhlet extraction technique. The bioplastic formulations consisted of durian seed starch at concentrations of 6%, 8%, and 10%, combined with 1% glycerol, 0.5 g CMC, and 1 mL patchouli extract, which were then cast into thin films. Characterization results revealed that increasing starch concentration enhanced film thickness (0.020–0.032 mm), tensile strength (up to 3.3913 MPa), and elongation (13.5801%). The films also exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) with an inhibition zone of 3.0 mm. The biodegradability test showed that the films degraded up to 65% after 14 days. These findings demonstrate that durian seed starch and patchouli leaf extract have strong potential as sustainable raw materials for the development of eco-friendly edible bioplastics suitable for primary food packaging applications.