Influence of Amount of Keratin from Human Hair with Modified Tapioca Starch

Abstract

The objective of this study was to prepare modified tapioca starches (MTS); as a main matrix and glycerol (GC) as plasticizers. The composition has been mixed with a 65% of MTS, and 35% of GC by weight in an internal mixer. Keratin (K) was extracted from human hair, which were added, at 0.05% and 0.2% by weight into the MTS/GC blends. The specimens were formed by compression molding for further investigation. Quality and composition of K particles were studied. The samples of MTS/GC, and MTS/GC/K were tested for mechanical properties, thermal properties, and observed for morphology. K particles have flake shape with a length between of 200-1000 micron. The IR spectra reveal the components of keratin particle. The constituents are peptide bonds and protein that can be ensured of keratin in the human hair. Tensile strength tend to increase while elongation has been decreased, as the K content increased. In addition, it was found that increasing amount of K has made polymer blends to brittle for fracture.           Keywords :  modified tapioca starch (MTS), keratin (K), polymer blends, biopolymers