Does the hydrogel:oleogel ratio affect the physicochemical properties of gelatin-beeswax bioplastic films?
Lisa Andriani Setianingrum (a*), Abdul Manab (a), Dedes Amertaningtyas (a), Khothibul Umam Al Awwaly (a), Heli Tistiana (a), Andi Febrisiantosa (b)

a) Animal Product Technology Departement, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia lisaandriani95308[at]gmail.com
b) Research Center for Food Technology and Processing, BRIN, Gunungkidul 55861, Indonesia

Abstract

Plastic waste from packaging poses a serious environmental problem due to its persistence and contribution to microplastic formation. Bigels, composed of hydrogel and oleogel, have emerged as an innovative approach to eco-friendly food packaging. This study aimed to analyze the effect of varying hydrogel-oleogel ratios on the physicochemical properties of bigel-based bioplastic films for food packaging applications. An experimental design was employed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and five replications. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and when significant (p<0.05) or highly significant (p<0.01) differences were detected, further testing was conducted using Duncan^s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The treatments were Hydrogel: Oleogel ratios, consisted of T1 (90 :10), T2 (80 :20), T3 (70 :30) and T4 (60 :40) respectively. The findings indicated that the optimal ratio was achieved in T1 (90:10). Detailed results included solubility (21.133%), syneresis (81.186%), water-holding capacity (77.174%), moisture content (7.549%), thermal properties (TGA/DTG) more stable and optical microscopy which shows small and relatively homogeneous droplets. Overall, the results demonstrated that T1 (90:10) provided the most favorable physicochemical characteristics of bigels bioplastic films for food packaging applications.

Keywords: bigel, bioplastics, food packaging, hydrogel, oleogel

Topic: Animal Product Technology