Transformation of water hyacinth into biodegradable film added with carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan and its characterization

The development of biodegradable films using natural materials, such as water hyacinth, addresses the environmental impact of plastic waste. The production of plastics, especially single-use plastics, has caused significant pollution and poses a threat to environmental sustainability. Biodegradable films offer a promising solution to mitigate this problem, but selecting the right environmentally friendly materials remains a challenge. This study investigated the development and characterization of biodegradable films derived from water hyacinth. Biofilms with the addition of 6 % CMC and varying chitosan concentration significantly affected the films' thickness, moisture content, solubility, swelling index, biodegradability, and color. The results showed that increasing the chitosan concentration produced thicker films and increased the swelling index and biodegradability. Films with 5 % chitosan exhibited better water resistance compared to other compositions, while achieving the highest degradation rate of 21.05 % within 10 days. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of hydrophilic groups and indicated potential interactions in the film structure. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed improved cohesiveness and homogeneity of the film surface with increasing chitosan concentration, enhancing the film's strength and resistance to liquid penetration. Meanwhile, the addition of chitosan also improved the lightness and color homogeneity of the film, making it more visually appealing. These findings emphasize the potential of water hyacinth-derived biodegradable films as an environmentally friendly alternative, though further composition optimization is essential to achieve the desired properties for sustainable packaging applications.