The Preparation and Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose Composites - Extract of Gedi Leaves (Abelmoschus manihot L.) with the A ddition of a Crosslinker

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of adding crosslinkers 1, 2 and 3% on the characteristics of the bacterial cellulose composite -gedi leaf extract. Production of bacterial cellulose from a mixture of coconut water, sugar, and urea was fermented using Acetobacter xylinum for 14 days. Characterization of BC, BCC-GLE, and BCC-GLEC by testing water content, tensile strength and structural analysis using FTIR. The addition of crosslinker can reduce 99.12% water, 98.8% BCC-GLE to 3% BCC-GLEC with a value of 97.56%. The result of the best tensile strength test is the addition of starch crosslinker with a concentration of 3% which is 121.36 Mpa. The results of the FTIR spectrum showed that bacterial cellulose only experienced a shift in functiona peaks.