Prima Astuti Handayani, Nuni Widiarti, Maulida Zakia, Pingky Yogi Novitasari, Muhammad Jiddan, Dwi Kharisma Luthfiani, Ade Rahmania Yuningsih
Edible films have emerged as a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic packaging. This study investigates the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and processing temperature on the mechanical and physicochemical properties of Arenga pinnata starch-based edible films. Mechanical properties, water absorption, and molecular interactions were evaluated using tensile testing, swelling analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results showed that PEG (4–8%) enhanced film flexibility, increasing elongation from 17.33% to 27.83%, although excessive PEG reduced mechanical strength. Increasing CMC concentration (0.3–1.6%) improved tensile strength (up to 3.12 MPa) but decreased elongation and increased water absorption due to its hydrophilic nature. Higher processing temperatures promoted molecular packing, resulting in increased tensile strength and reduced water absorption. FTIR analysis confirmed enhanced intermolecular interactions among starch, PEG, and CMC, while SEM revealed a compact and cohesive morphology with minor microstructural defects. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) predicted optimal conditions at 70.89 °C, 6.99% PEG, and 1.10% CMC, yielding tensile strength and elongation values of 2.646 MPa and 27.518%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that Arenga pinnata starch is a promising and sustainable material for developing edible films with tunable mechanical properties for eco-friendly packaging applications. © The Author(s) 2026.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Central Java, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Central Java, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia
