KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 https://bestjournal.
id/index.
php/kovalen Characterization and Biodegradation Test of Palm Kernel Meal Galactomanan-Based Bioplastics with Succinic Acid-Polyvinyl Alcohol Cross-Linking Agent Novelista Djaleha.
Erwin Abd.
Rahim.
NurhaeniA.
Ruslan.
Ni Ketut Sumarni.
Prismawiriyanti Department of Chemistry.
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Tadulako University.
Palu.
Indonesia Abstract.
Environmental pollution caused by non-biodegradable plastic waste has become a major global concern, prompting the development of eco-friendly alternative materials.
Bioplastics derived from natural polymers are considered a promising solution due to their biodegradability and renewability.
A study has been conducted on the manufacture of bioplastics from palm kernel meal galactomannan, with the addition of succinic acid and PVA, as an effort to reduce pollution caused by plastic waste.
This study aims to determine the characteristics of bioplastics, including tensile strength, elongation.
Young's modulus, chemical structure, and Bioplastics were obtained by mixing galactomannan.
PVA, and variations of succinic acid .
, 1, 0.
2, and 0.
The results showed a tensile strength of 3.
61Ae8.
76 MPa, elongation of 260.
83Ae432.
and Young's modulus of 1.
21Ae2.
49 MPa.
FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of ester bonds, indicating crosslinking, while the biodegradation test showed that all samples were completely degraded within 1 day.
The 0.
g variation produced the best tensile strength, while the control had the most stable surface.
This galactomannan-based bioplastic has the potential to be an alternative to conventional plastic due to its good mechanical properties and very rapid degradation.
Keywords: galactomannan, succinic acid.
PVA, bioplastic, biodegradation Abstrak.
Pencemaran lingkungan yang disebabkan oleh limbah plastik yang tidak dapat terurai secara hayati telah menjadi perhatian global utama, mendorong pengembangan material alternatif yang ramah lingkungan.
Bioplastik yang berasal dari polimer alami dianggap sebagai solusi yang menjanjikan karena sifatnya yang dapat terurai secara hayati dan dapat diperbarui.
Telah dilakukan penelitian mengenai pembuatan bioplastik dari galaktomanan bungkil inti sawit dengan penambahan asam suksinat dan PVA sebagai salah satu upaya untuk mengurangi pencemaran akibat sampah plastik.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik bioplastik meliputi kuat tarik, elongasi, modulus Young, struktur kimia, dan biodegradasi.
Bioplastik diperoleh melalui pencampuran galaktomanan.
PVA, dan variasi asam suksinat .
0,1.
0,2.
dan 0,3 .
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kuat tarik sebesar 3,61Ae8,76 MPa, elongasi 260,83Ae432,92%, dan modulus Young 1,21Ae2,49 MPa.
Analisis FTIR mengonfirmasi adanya ikatan ester yang menandakan proses penautan silang, sedangkan uji biodegradasi menunjukkan bahwa seluruh sampel terdegradasi sempurna dalam waktu 1 hari.
Variasi 0,10 g menghasilkan kuat tarik terbaik, sedangkan kontrol memiliki permukaan paling stabil.
Bioplastik berbasis galaktomanan ini berpotensi menjadi alternatif pengganti plastik konvensional karena memiliki sifat mekanik yang baik dan kemampuan degradasi yang sangat cepat.
Kata kunci: galaktomanan, asam suksinat.
PVA, bioplastik, biodegradasi Received: February 20, 2026.
Accepted: March 29, 2026 Citation: Djaleha.
Rahim.
Nurhaeni.
Ruslan.
Sumarni.
, and Prismawiryanti.
Characterization And Biodegradation Test of Palm Kernel Meal Galactomanan-Based Bioplastics with Succinic Acid-Polyvinyl Alcohol Cross-Linking Agent.
KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 34-43.
Corresponding author E-mail: eni_kimia64@yahoo.
https://doi.
org/10.
22487/kovalen.
2477-5398/ A 2026 Djaleha.
, et al This is an open-access article under the CC BY-SA license.
KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 Djaleha.
, et al
INTRODUCTION
ability, making it a potential base material for Plastic is a material that is widely used in bioplastics (Cut, 2.
One abundant source daily life due to its flexibility, strength, light of galactomannan is palm kernel meal (PKM), with a content of about 37.
1% (Ihsan et al.
In addition, plastics are relatively Along with the increasing production of inexpensive, especially for single-use products Indonesian palm kernel oil, which reached 4.
(Mukhlisien et al.
, 2.
However, most million tons in 2023 (GAPKI, 2.
, the amount conventional plastics are derived from fossil- of PKM generated is also increasing.
This based synthetic polymers that are non- makes PKM a promising raw material to be developed into bioplastics while simultaneously decompose in the environment and a major increasing the value of palm oil industry by- contributor to pollution (Saputra & Supriyo.
The use of biopolymers and natural- Indonesia is currently facing serious challenges related to plastic waste.
In 2021, the total national waste generation reached 28.
million tons, with plastic waste accounting for The incorporation of polyvinyl 86% of the composition (KLHK, 2.
alcohol (PVA) as a plasticizer enhances Plastic waste entering the ocean is estimated to 29 million tons per year.
This condition polymer matrix, leading to improved structural is closely related to changes in consumption and mechanical characteristics (Hutagalung et patterns, with society increasingly dependent , 2.
Therefore, a similar modification on practical, single-use products.
approach is adopted in this study using Various efforts have been made to address this problem, such as recycling and interactions within galactomannan and PVA.
However, it is known that bioplastics based on pure galactomannan generally have approaches have not been fully effective.
low tensile strength.
Several studies have Therefore, the development of bioplastics reported that unmodified galactomannan films based on renewable resources has become a show tensile strength values of only about 1Ae2 MPa, depending on their molecular structure biodegradable and have the potential to reduce and composition (Santos et al.
, 2.
This dependence on fossil-based plastics.
Several value is still far below the standards required for types of bioplastics, such as starch-based packaging applications.
Therefore, efforts are However, (PLA), needed to improve the mechanical properties through modifications such as cross-linking, developed, but they still have limitations in blending with other polymers, or certain terms of low mechanical strength, suboptimal chemical treatments (Haghighi et al.
, 2.
(PHA),
biodegradability, and relatively high production costs (Hasibuan, 2.
Galactomannan is a natural polysacchari de that is hydrophilic and has good film-forming PVA was selected as a co-polymer because it is hydrophilic and compatible with Unlike polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 Djaleha.
, et al (PP), which are hydrophobic and thus have low (CCEHCIOCE), 1% acetic acid (CHCECOOH), sodium affinity for galactomannan.
PVA is able to form hydroxide (NaOH), sodium chloride (NaC.
, better intermolecular interactions and improve isopropyl alcohol, ethanol .
HCIOH).
Tween 80, humus soil, and distilled water.
(Septiati & Karmini, 2.
In addition, succinic acid acts as a cross-linking agent that can form ester bonds between the hydroxyl groups of PVA.
The polymer network is expected to enhance mechanical strength and thermal stability while maintaining biodegradability, since succinic acid is readily biodegradable (Lusiana et al.
Succinic acid was selected as a cross- Instrumentation The instruments used in this study Universal Machine/tensile Testing (Instron 3365.
USA), pH meter, and FTIR (PerkinElmer Spectrum 100.
USA).
Procedure Extraction of galactomannan from palm kernel meal .
dapted from Teekanam et al.
galactomannan and PVA.
The presence of two PKM was dried, ground, and sieved carboxyl groups enables the formation of a through a 70-mesh screen.
A total of 500 g of three-dimensional polymer network, which can sample was soaked in 5% NaCl solution significantly improve the mechanical strength, adjusted to pH 3Ae5 for 48 h at 37 AC with structural stability, and water resistance of the periodic stirring.
The mixture was then filtered resulting bioplastic.
In addition, succinic acid is using a cloth filter followed by filter paper.
The biodegradable, non-toxic, and can be derived filtrate was precipitated with an isopropyl from renewable resources, making it suitable alcoholAeethanol mixture .
:10, v/.
at a ratio of for sustainable material development.
Previous 3:1 and allowed to stand for 24 h.
The resulting studies have reported that the use of succinic precipitate was collected by filtration and dried acid as a cross-linking agent in polysaccharide- in an oven at 110 AC for 24 h.
The based bioplastics improves tensile strength and characterized using FTIR spectroscopy.
linking agent due to its ability to form ester biodegradability (Lusiana et al.
, 2021.
Zhou et , 2.
Therefore, the incorporation of succinic acid in this study is expected to galactomannan-based bioplastics.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Materials The materials used in this study included palm kernel meal (PKM).
PVA (Mw 89,000Ae 98,000.
Sigma-Aldrich.
USA), succinic acid Galactomannan-based bioplastic production (Sari et al.
, 2019, with modifications by Lusiana et al.
, 2.
A total of 1 g of galactomannan, 1 g of PVA, and succinic acid at varying amounts .
, 1, 0.
2, and 0.
were added into a beaker containing 30 mL of distilled water and 10 mL of 1% CHCECOOH.
The mixture was stirred using a magnetic stirrer at 80 AC for 1 hour until The solution was then cast into KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 Djaleha.
, et al Petri dish molds previously coated with Tween 80 and dried at room temperature for 2Ae3 days.
Elongation (%) = Sample code GM .
PVA .
Succinic acid .
CH3COOH .
%) .
L) Water .
L) In this study, only the concentration of succinic acid was varied, while the amount of PVA was kept constant.
This approach was used to specifically evaluate the effect of crosslinking biodegradation properties of the bioplastic.
The PVA concentration was fixed to maintain a overlapping effects from multiple variables.
Characterization of bioplastics (Lusiana et , 2.
yco Oe yco0 l = initial sample length.
, l0= sample length to break .
YoungAos modulus YoungAos modulus (E) was calculated using Equation .
ya= yua E = Elastic modulus (N/m2 ).
E = tensile strength/tension.
A = Elongation/strain Biodegradation test .
oil burial tes.
The percentage of mass loss was calculated using Equation .
%M=
Minitial -Mfinal y100 Minitial .
RESULT AND DISCUSSION Extraction and Purification of Galactomann an from Palm Kernel Meal Galactomannan extraction was carried out FTIR analysis The The elongation (%) was calculated using equation .
Table 1.
Variations in bioplastic mixing Materials Elongation Test to separate the polysaccharide fraction from palm kernel meal through a dissolution and analyzed using an FTIR spectrophotometer alcohol precipitation process.
A total of 500 g of (PerkinElmer Spectrum .
to identify sample was dried and ground to obtain a functional groups.
uniform particle size in order to increase the Mechanical properties test surface area and enhance solvent penetration.
The mechanical tests included tensile According to Teekanam et al.
, reducing strength, elongation at break, and YoungAos particle size can improve extraction efficiency modulus measurements.
by accelerating the release of polysaccharides Tensile strength test from the plant tissue matrix.
The tensile strength (E) was calculated using Equation .
yua= ya ya E = Mechanical strength (MP.
F = Tensile strength (N).
A = surface area .
m2 ).
Figure 1.
Galactomannan from PKM KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 Djaleha.
, et al Soaking in a 5% NaCl solution at pH 3Ae5 spectrum of extracted facilitated the dissolution of galactomannan and Infrared Galactomannan its separation from impurities such as fibers.
The Precipitation FTIR isopropyl alcohol at a ratio of 3:1 .
reduced The spectrum of the extracted sample the solubility of the polysaccharides, leading to exhibited a broad OAeH stretching band around the formation of a solid galactomannan fraction.
3346 cmAA, comparable to the characteristic The obtained extract appeared as a brownish band of standard galactomannan at 3450 cmAA, granular solid with a mass of 4 g, indicating that indicating the presence of hydroxyl groups the product was still a crude extract.
The brown typical of polysaccharides.
Aliphatic CAeH color suggests the presence of residual stretching vibrations were observed at 2932 impurities such as lignin, phenolic pigments, cmAA, and proteins.
Teekanam et al.
reported carbohydrate backbone.
that further-purified galactomannan typically appears pale yellow to white in color.
Figure 2.
FTIR results of galactomannan from palm kernel cake Glycosidic CAeO and CAeOAeC vibrations appeared in the region of 1320Ae1008 cmAA.
Bioplastic Formation Physical Appearance while the bands at 870Ae803 cmAA indicate - Bioplastics were prepared by blending the glycosidic linkages.
These results confirm that extracted galactomannan with PVA and adding the chemical structure of the extracted material succinic acid as a cross-linking agent.
The control sample (A.
produced a homogeneous galactomannan (Tako et al.
, 2.
, although film with a relatively fast drying time.
This minor differences may arise from residual condition is consistent with the findings of Sari moisture and impurities.
et al.
, who reported that the combination of galactomannan and PVA can form stable KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 Djaleha.
, et al films during drying due to the absence of concentrations (A2 and A.
, the drying time compounds that significantly increase water increased, and surface heterogeneity became more pronounced due to the excess of hydrophilic groups that retain water.
These results are in agreement with Lusiana et al.
, who reported that increasing succinic acid content enhances water affinity and leads to changes in film surface characteristics.
The formation of inter-chain bonding increases the mechanical properties of bioplastics because the matrix structure becomes denser and Figure 3.
Bioplastics .
A1 .
A2 .
A3.
At a low concentration of succinic acid (A1, 1 .
, changes in surface characteristics began to appear, indicating partial interactions between the AeCOOH groups of succinic acid and the AeOH groups of the polymers.
At higher (AeOH) components also affect physical properties such as solubility and swelling.
This is FTIR mechanical tests, which show that changes in bioplastic composition lead to changes in mechanical properties and water resistance of the film (Nurwidiyani et al.
, 2.
Figure 4.
Reaction Scheme .
rawn using KingDraw application version 35.
8 on iOS 18.
IR Analysis of Bioplastics free hydroxyl groups due to esterification.
The FTIR spectra of the bioplastic samples distinct carbonyl (C=O) band appeared in the (A0AeA.
exhibited a broad OAeH stretching band range of 1710Ae1730 cmAA, with increasing in the region of 3200Ae3500 cmAA (Figure .
prominence from A0 to A3, confirming the slight shift of the OAeH peak from 3282 cmAA (A.
formation of ester linkages between succinic to 3269 cmAA (A.
was observed, accompanied acid and the polymer matrix.
This suggests that by a decrease in intensity, indicating reduced cross-linking KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 Djaleha.
, et al extensive with higher succinic acid content.
successful cross-linking, which contributes to Additionally, changes in the CAeO and CAeOAeC the improved structural properties of the stretching regions .
0Ae1300 cmAA) were bioplastic, in agreement with Lusiana et al.
observed, indicating structural modifications in .
the polymer network.
These findings confirm Figure 5.
FTIR spectra of bioplastics: .
A1 .
1 g succinic aci.
A2 .
2 g succinic .
A3 .
3 g succinic aci.
Mechanical Properties optimum concentration, beyond which the Tensile strength mechanical properties tend to deteriorate due The tensile strength increased from 3.
MPa (A.
76 MPa with the addition of 0.
However, increases in succinic acid content (A2 and A.
resulted in a decrease in tensile strength to 7.
MPa and 5.
05 MPa, respectively (Figure .
This reduction is likely due to the presence of excess unreacted acid, which disrupts the homogeneity of the polymer matrix and weakens intermolecular interactions.
These findings are in agreement with previous studies, which reported that the Tensile strength (MP.
succinic acid (A.
, indicating an optimum Mass of succinic acid .
Figure 6.
Tensile strength of bioplastics incorporation of organic acid as a crosslinking agent enhances tensile strength up to an KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 Djaleha.
, et al The elongation value of A0 .
increased sharply in A1 .
92%), indicating enhanced flexibility due to a balanced crosslinking elongation decreased in A2 to 297.
08% and then increased again in A3 to 417.
08% (Figure These results are consistent with the report by Kartika and Saepudin .
, who stated that in celluloseAePVAAebased polymer systems with the addition of a cross-linking agent, sample A3, the increase in elongation occurred because the polymer chains still retained sufficient flexibility to adapt despite the higher amount of cross-linking agent (Figure .
elongation does not always decrease linearly.
After decreasing at a certain concentration, elongation can increase again at subsequent compositions due to the emergence of a new cross-link polymer chain mobility.
This indicates that in Elongation value (%) Elongation Mass of succinic acid .
Figure 7.
Elongation value of bioplastics YoungAos Modulus The YoungAos modulus of A0 was 1.
38 MPa and increased to 2.
02 MPa in A1, reaching a maximum at A2 .
49 MP.
, before decreasing in A3 to 1.
21 Mpa (Figure .
This trend suggests that the addition of succinic acid enhances the stiffness of the bioplastic up to an However, excessive addition of the crosslinking agent may induce a plasticizing effect or structural intermolecular interactions and Young's modulus (MP.
Figure 8.
Tensile testing of bioplastic sample A3 .
3 g succinic aci.
Mass of succinic acid .
Figure 9.
YoungAos modulus value This finding is in agreement with the results reported by Kartika and Saepudin .
, who observed that the elastic modulus KOVALEN: Jurnal Riset Kimia, 12.
, 2026: 34-43 Djaleha.
, et al increases up to an optimum concentration of are extended to the Chemistry Laboratory of crosslinking agent, followed by a decline due to Tadulako University as the main site for conducting this study.
The authors also acknowledge the Integrated Laboratory of Tadulako University and the Textile Physics Biodegradation Test The soil burial test showed that all samples were completely degraded within 24 h.
The hydrophilic nature of galactomannan and PVA facilitates water absorption and microbial These results are in agreement with previous studies on galactomannan-based bioplastics, which show rapid degradation due to their hydrophilic nature (Sari et al.
, 2.
and Lusiana et al .
CONCLUSION
FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic polysaccharide functional groups as well as the formation of ester linkages due to the addition of succinic acid.
Mechanical testing showed that the incorporation of PVA and succinic acid increased the tensile strength of the bioplastics compared to the control sample.
The best formulation was obtained for A1 .
g succinic aci.
, which exhibited the highest tensile strength of 8.
76 MPa while maintaining a very rapid biodegradation rate.
These results indicate that galactomannan-based bioplastics derived from palm kernel meal have strong potential for application as biodegradable packaging materials that require a balance ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors would like to express their Tadulako University, particularly the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, for the academic support provided during this research.
Special thanks Evaluation Laboratory of St Polytechnic Bandung assistance that greatly supported the testing and material characterization processes.
REFERENCES