<![CDATA[The increasing environmental impact of plastic waste has encouraged the development of alternative biodegradable products. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of bioplastic straws made from arrowroot starch with varying concentrations of chitosan (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) as a strengthening agent. Arrowroot starch was selected due to its high amylose content (22.70%), which supports film formation. The straws were produced by blending gelatinized arrowroot starch with dissolved chitosan and glycerol as a plasticizer, followed by drying and molding. The resulting bioplastic straws were evaluated for hardness, solubility, water absorption, biodegradability, and functional groups using FTIR and SEM analysis. The results showed that increasing chitosan concentration significantly affected the mechanical and functional properties of the straws. The 3% chitosan formulation provided the best performance in terms of hardness (4.11 N/cm2), moderate solubility (37.55%), optimal water absorption (41.61%), and biodegradation (79.44%). FTIR analysis confirmed the interaction between hydroxyl (OH) groups in starch and amine (NH2) groups in chitosan, indicating strong hydrogen bonding. SEM images showed a compact and homogenous surface structure in the 3% treatment, which supports structural integrity. The addition of chitosan effectively improved the straw’s resistance to water and enhanced its mechanical strength. This study highlights the potential of using local agricultural resources to develop environmentally friendly bioplastic straws. Keywords: arrowroot starch, biodegradability, bioplastic, chitosan, straw]]>
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