Lauroylation of sago residue at normal temperature and characteristics of plastic sheets prepared from lauroylated sago residue

Abstract

  In order to thermoplasticize sago residue and decrease the amount of energy necessary for the reaction, lauroylation of sago residue was attempted at room temperature. Plastic sheets prepared from lauroylated sago residue were examined and characterized. Sago residue could be prepared at room temperature and the ester content of the lauroylated sago residue was sufficient for thermoplasticization. Plastic sheets could easily be prepared from lauroylated sago residue and were found to be soluble for several solvents. The weight of the plastic sheets was decreased immediately after placed or buried on and in soil when tested for the initial 20 days. A biodegradation test using Tyromyces palustris and Trametes versicolor showed that the plastic sheet obtained in this experiment was biodegradable. The degradability of the plastic sheets for some enzymes was evaluated by chemical oxygen demand (COD). It was suggested that enzymes may be responsible for and the hydrolysis of ester bond and the main chain of starch and cellulose in lauroylated sago residue.