International Food Research Journal 22(6): 2230-2236 (2015)
Journal homepage: http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my
Edible films from seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii)
1*
Siah, W.M., 2Aminah, A. and 2Ishak, A.
1
Food Technology Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute,
P.O. Box 12301, General Post Office, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2
School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty Science & Technology, Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Article history Abstract
Received: 18 April 2014 A new patent pending process is proposed in this study to produce edible film directly from
Received in revised form: seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii). Seaweed together with other ingredients has been used to
8 May 2015 produce the film through casting technique. Physical and mechanical tests were performed
Accepted: 25 May 2015
on the edible films to examine the thickness, colour, transparency, solubility, tensile strength,
elongation at break, water permeability rate, oxygen permeability rate and surface morphology.
Keywords
Produced film was transparent, stretchable, sealable and have basic properties as a film for food
packaging. This study suggests that the edible film could be used as novel materials in food
Edible film industry as sachet/pouch/bag for instant coffee, breakfast cereals drinks, seasoning powder,
Seaweed candies etc; as wrapper for seasoning cube and chocolate; as interleaf for frozen foods such as
Kappaphycus alvarezii burger patties to avoid the patties from sticking together; and also as material for edible logo in
Characterization bakeries products. Other than that, the edible film also could be used in pharmaceutical industry
Applications as functional strips such as oral freshener strips and drug strips. In cosmetic and toiletries
industries, the edible film could be used to produce facial mask and bag for pre-portioned
detergent. Compared with edible film developed earlier using alginate and carrageenan, film
developed in this research used seaweed directly. The developed film reduced the need to
extract the alginate and carrageenan, making material preparation easier and cheaper.
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Introduction research is still on the preliminary stage in Malaysia.
This paper was focused on the development of edible
Plastic products have become an integral part seaweed based films for application especially in
in our daily life as a basic need. Its broad range of food industry, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics
application is in packaging films, wrapping materials, and toiletries industries.
shopping and garbage bags, fluid containers, clothing, Seaweed is sustainable natural resources
toys, household and industrial products, as well as with industrial potential that is not fully utilized.
building materials. Once plastic is discarded after its The farming of seaweed has expanded rapidly in
utility is over, it is known as plastic waste. Only small Malaysia, especially Sabah, is one of the seaweed
percentages of this plastic waste are recycled and producers in the world with total production in year
mostly will be ends up in landfills, beaches, rivers 2010 was 150,000 MT and expected to produce
and oceans. It is a fact that plastics will never degrade 1,500,000 MT by 2020 (Tan et al., 2011). Under
and remains on landscape for several years and the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP),
subsequently raises environmental issues. Therefore, the Federal Government has approved substantial
a small reduction in the amount of plastic materials amount of fund to uplift the industry to be one of
will reduce environmental concerns. Development of the economic resources for the country and creating
edible and biodegradable material to partially replace more employment opportunities. Hence, research
petro-based polymers may offer opportunities that and development programme was needed to support
would benefit both manufacturers and consumers. the industry. Through this project, the development
To meet the growing demand of degradable and of edible seaweed based film is a promising method
natural materials, new materials and technologies for diversifying the usage and adding value to the
have been extensively studied including using bio- seaweed.
based polymers. Bioplastic or biopolymer products Seaweed derivatives such as alginate and
can be made from raw materials originating from carrageenan have been widely used to form edible
agricultural or marine sources. However, this kind of films and their barrier and mechanical properties
*Corresponding author.
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