Sains Malaysiana 55(5)(2026): 825-837

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2026-5505-05

 

Upcycling Pineapple Stem Waste into PLA-Based Bioplastics: The Role of Maleinized Linseed Oil in Film Performance and Biodegradability

(Mengitar semula Sisa Batang Nanas menjadi Bioplastik Berasaskan PLA: Peranan Minyak Biji Rami Malein dalam Prestasi Filem dan Kebolehuraian Bio)

 

HATAITHIP SANPROMMA¹, SUPATRA PRATUMSHAT^1,2,* & TAWEECHAI AMORNSAKCHAI³

 

¹Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand

²Center of Excellence in Biomaterials, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand

³Center of Sustainble Energy and Green Materials, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phuttamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand

 

Received: 5 July 2025/Accepted: 6 May 2026

 

Abstract

This study reports the development of sustainable packaging films based on polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic starch (TPS), utilizing starch extracted from pineapple stem waste, an abundant and underutilized agricultural by-product in Thailand. Maleinized linseed oil (MLO), a fully bio-based compatibilizer, was incorporated to improve interfacial adhesion and enhance mechanical performance. PLA/TPS blends with varying MLO content were processed via twin-screw extrusion and film blowing. Mechanical testing showed that MLO significantly increased elongation at break to 43.21%, and thermal analysis indicated a reduction in T_g, confirming the plasticizing effect of MLO and consistent with an increased interaction index of PLA/15TPS/MLO (5.28) compared to PLA/20TPS (5.03). SEM showed improved phase dispersion. The PLA/10TPS/10MLO blend demonstrates the most balanced properties. Biodegradation tests in soil and simulated marine conditions showed enhanced degradation in TPS-containing blends, although MLO slightly reduced the degradation rate by limiting water diffusion. The integration of agricultural waste valorization and green additives offers a promising route to fabricate biodegradable films suitable for single-use packaging applications, thereby contributing to circular economic efforts.

Keywords: Compatibilizer; maleinized linseed oil (MLO); pineapple stem starch; polylactic acid (PLA); thermoplastic starch (TPS)      

 

Abstrak

Kajian ini melaporkan pembangunan filem pembungkusan lestari berasaskan asid polilaktik (PLA) dan kanji termoplastik (TPS) menggunakan kanji yang diekstrak daripada sisa batang nanas, hasil sampingan pertanian yang banyak dan kurang digunakan di Thailand. Minyak biji rami termanjan (MLO), penyerasi berasaskan bio sepenuhnya telah digabungkan untuk meningkatkan lekatan antara muka dan meningkatkan prestasi mekanikal. Campuran PLA/TPS dengan pelbagai kandungan MLO telah diproses melalui penyemperitan skru berkembar dan peniupan filem. Ujian mekanikal menunjukkan bahawa MLO meningkatkan pemanjangan pada takat putus dengan ketara kepada 43.21% dan analisis haba menunjukkan pengurangan T_g, mengesahkan kesan pemplastikan MLO dan tekal dengan peningkatan indeks interaksi PLA/15TPS/MLO (5.28) berbanding PLA/20TPS (5.03). SEM menunjukkan penyebaran fasa yang lebih baik. Campuran PLA/10TPS/10MLO menunjukkan sifat yang paling seimbang. Ujian biodegradasi dalam tanah dan keadaan simulasi marin menunjukkan peningkatan degradasi dalam campuran yang mengandungi TPS, walaupun MLO mengurangkan sedikit kadar degradasi dengan mengehadkan resapan air. Integrasi pengayaan sisa pertanian dan bahan tambahan hijau menawarkan laluan yang berpotensi untuk menghasilkan filem terbiodegradasi yang sesuai untuk aplikasi pembungkusan sekali-guna, sekali gus menyumbang kepada usaha ekonomi kitaran.

Kata kunci: Asid polilaktik (PLA); kanji batang nanas; kanji termoplastik (TPS); minyak biji rami termanjan (MLO); pengserasi

 

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*Corresponding author; email: supatraw@nu.ac.th