PRODUCTION OF BIOCOMPOSITE (HYDROGEL) FROM NANOCELLULOSE OF FROGBIT PLANT (LIMNOBIUM LAEVIGATUM) FROM PHYTOREMEDIATION OF TOFU LIQUID WASTE

• Main Author: Zulfa Huwaida, Nadilla
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/83140
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The tofu industry is widely developed in Indonesia due to its relatively cheap and simple manufacture. However, the tofu processing process produces tofu liquid waste (LTh) that pollutes the environment. This can be overcome by waste treatment. One way of treating waste is by using plants through a phytoremediation process. In this study, phytoremediation of tofu liquid waste was carried out with frogbit plants (Limnobium laevigatum) with the Free Water Surface (FWS) system in a container measuring 70 cm x 48 cm x 42.5 cm for 21 days. The variations in tofu wastewater used were control, 10%, and 25%. L. laevigatum can grow well in remediating tofu liquid waste, as indicated by the highest Relative Growth Rate (RGR) value in 25% tofu liquid waste of 0.023 g/day. The results of phytoremediation of tofu liquid waste experienced the highest decrease in the 25% variation, with a decrease in BOD 42.31%, COD 48.94%, TDS 29.8%, nitrate levels 34.29%, nitrite levels 32.84%, ammonia levels 37.48%, and TSS 75.13%. Meanwhile, the pH value increased from 3.00 to 7.27 and DO increase from 5.5 to 6.72. L. laevigatum plants from phytoremediation are then processed into cellulose for biocomposites in the form of hydrogels. L. laevigatum plants were fermented with Aspergillus niger fungus for 7 days. After that, acid hydrolysis was carried out to become cellulose. The concentrations of cellulose used were 5% and 10%. Hydrogels with a 10% cellulose concentration can moisturize the soil and a higher swelling ratio than hydrogels with a 5% cellulose concentration. Hydrogels with a 10% cellulose mixture can maintain soil moisture above 30%, have a swelling ratio above 50%, and decompose in the soil for 29 days. Based on the testing of hydrogel characteristics that has been done, this biocomposite is environmentally friendly