Effect of Acetylation Contact Time to the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Jack Fruit Rind Cellulose Acetate (JR-CA) Reinforced Gelatine Film

Natural based film have been studied as a possible replacement for the conventional films because it can be developed from natural sources. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of acetylation contact time to the physical and mechanical properties of the jackfruit rind based cellulose acetate film. Acetylation of jackfruit rind based cellulose was studied and samples with different degree of substitution were obtained as a function of contact time from 1 hour to 24 hours. The products were characterized by saponification reaction. In this study, saponifcation reaction showed that, more hydroxyl group were substituted with acetyl groups as the contact time of acetylation increased. The Cellulose Acetate (CA) had been mixed in the gelatine matrix film. The addition of jackfruit rind based CA showed that the moisture uptake and solubility of the film decreased compared to Cellulose/Gelatine composite film. This is because acetyl groups are more hydrophobic than hydroxyl groups thus reducing the hydophilic nature of cellulose. Additionally, from the tensile test, it was proven that the film with CA of 24 hours contact time exhibits the highest tensile strength.