Title
Poly(lactic acid) coated Cassava leaves biocomposite packaging sheets
Authors
NOOR FADZLIANA AHMAD SHARIF WAN AIZAN WAN ABDUL RAHMAN and SAIFUL IZWAN ABD RAZAK

Published Volume 49 Issue 7-8 July-August
Keywords cassava leaves, tapioca, packaging, poly(lactic acid), coating, impregnation, mercerization, moisture absorption

Abstract
Biocomposite packaging sheets made from cassava leaves and poly(lactic acid) (CL/PLA), and having desirable sheet properties, were successfully prepared using a surface impregnation method. CL sheets were solvent impregnated with PLA at various concentrations to improve their performance. This newly developed biocomposite packaging material exhibits a low moisture uptake and high tear strength upon impregnation with 8% PLA. Electron micrographs of the biocomposite revealed PLA with dimple-like morphology. This biobased packaging material could contribute to reducing the dependency on paper and plastic based packaging.