Effect of Indonesian Bay Leaf Extract Preparation on the Barrier of Red Ray Transmission of Polyvinyl Alcohol Blend-Film

The environmental issue of plastic waste has been paid global attention and has encouraged authors to look for new environmentally friendly materials. The novel biodegradable material could supplant materials made from petroleum-based plastic with the properties required for medication or food packaging, such as being translucent, flexible, and the ability to withstand UV rays and even visible light. This paper focused on the incorporation of Indonesian Bay Leaf (IBL) plant extract containing tannin (quercetin) and chlorophyll into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer. Two methods of extract preparation were used: in the first sample A, the IBL powder was immediately extracted without being stored, while in the second sample B, the extraction was carried out after the IBL powder had been stored for four months. It was concluded that samples A and B with the incorporation of 1% wt IBL extract into PVA showed characteristics of blocking 100% UV light. Interestingly, the addition of 1% wt IBL to PVA in sample A (PVA/IBL1) could block blue-violet light and red light by 100% and 92%, respectively. Even PVA/IBL1 still had good transparency. Thus, PVA/IBL blend films are candidates for medicinal or food packaging materials.