BIODEGRADATION BEHAVIOR OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE) GRAFTED SAGO STARCH BIOPOLYMER

Abstract

The graft copolymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) onto sago starch (sago starch-g-PMMA) was carried out using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator. PMMA was grafted onto sago starch using CAN as an initiator under nitrogen gas atmosphere. The maximum percentage of grafting (%G) was determined to be 246% at the optimum conditions. The copolymers produced were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR), The FTIR spectra of the copolymers clearly indicated the presence of characteristic peaks of PMMA and sago starch, which suggested that PMMA had been successfully grafted on the sago starch. Biodegradability studies of sago starch-g-PMMA and sago starch were carried out by ?-amylase enzyme. Maximum biodegradation of the biopolymer was achieved after 3 days of incubation, while for the product was 7 days. The maximum production of glucose was achieved when the concentration of -amylase was 50 ppm.