EXTRACTION AND FORMULATION OF STARCH BASED ADHESIVE FROM (BORASSUS AETHIOPUM) TUBER

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for environmentally friendly materials has encouraged the development of adhesives derived from renewable resources. This study investigated the extraction of starch from Borassus aethiopum tubers and its formulation into a starch-based adhesive. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing this underutilized plant resource as a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based adhesives. Fresh Borassus aethiopum tubers were collected, washed, peeled, and processed for starch extraction using standard wet-milling and sedimentation techniques. The extracted starch was characterized for physicochemical properties such as moisture content, swelling power, solubility, and gelatinization temperature. Adhesive formulation was carried out using the extracted starch, and the resulting adhesive was evaluated for pH, viscosity, drying time, and bond strength on selected substrates (paper and light wood). The results showed that the starch had acceptable physicochemical properties comparable to commonly used starches such as maize and cassava. The adhesive exhibited favorable performance, including a pH within the neutral range, viscosity suitable for application, reasonable drying time, and strong adhesion for paper and lightweight wooden materials. Furthermore, the adhesive demonstrated complete biodegradability, supporting its environmental friendliness. However, challenges such as relatively poor water resistance and short shelf life due to microbial growth were observed This study concludes that starch extracted from Borassus aethiopum tubers can serve as a promising raw material for the production of starch-based adhesives suitable for small-scale and environmentally sensitive applications. To enhance industrial relevance, further research is recommended on starch modification and the incorporation of additives to improve bonding strength, water resistance, and storage stability.