Judul: Synthesis of Hydrogel Made of Tapioca/Sago Carboxymethyl Starch and Reinforced by Oil Palm Empty–Fruit–Bunch Based Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Abstrak: Indonesia is listed as World’s top tier producer of tapioca, sago and oil palm empty-fruit-bunch (OPEFB). In this study, hydrogel was synthesized by combining tapioca-or-sago-based carboxymethyl starch (CMS), OPEFB-based carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Carboxymethyl functional group (1620-1618 cm-1) and crystallographic-peak (2θ=20o) were investigated within both CMS samples. Sago-CMS held higher yields (175.49 g/g) than tapioca-CMS. Morphologically, tapioca-CMS granules were oval, round, or polygonal, individual, scattered, full-of-indents/defective-ends, whereas sago- CMS were oval or irregular, intact and exceptionally smooth. Tapioca-CMS possessed more amorphous (86.3%-amorphous) and viscous (310.58 cP) profile than sago-CMS. Carboxymethyl functional group (1620-1607 cm-1) and crystallographic-peak (2θ=20o) were spotted as well within all CMC samples. CMC NaOH-25% possessed the highest yield (118.52 g/g). More alkali added led to more intense CMC granules degradation. CMC NaOH-25% acquired the most amorphous (59.5%-amorphous) and viscous (63.08 cP) profile. Crosslinked-PVA functional group within materials’ bond (3431-3436 cm-1 and 1384-1413 cm-1) was evidenced within all five hydrogel samples (tapioca CMS-PVA (9:1), sago CMS-PVA (9:1), tapioca CMS-CMC NaOH 25%-PVA (2:2:1), sago CMS-CMC NaOH 25%-PVA (2:2:1), tapioca CMS-CMC NaOH 25%-PVA (8:1:1) hydrogel). CMC addition successfully improved PVA-hydrogel crosslinks structures throughout CMS-PVA hydrogel networks, however excess CMS disrupted PVA crystallites after its miscibility. Sago CMS-PVA hydrogel (9:1) denoted the highest swelling capability, while tapioca CMS-CMC NaOH 25%-PVA hydrogel (8:1:1) presented the highest water absorption capacity. Otherwise, the best oil absorption capability was indicated by sago CMS-CMC NaOH 25%-PVA hydrogel (2:2:1).
Keyword: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxymethyl starch (CMS), hydrogel, oil palm empty–fruit–bunch (OPEFB), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)

Judul: Produksi Biohidrogel Berbasis Carboxymethyl Starch - Kitosan.
Abstrak: Hydrogel is a three dimensional polymeric structure which has an ability to absorb and retain water within its structure. Hydrogel can be derived from natural and synthetic polymers. The natural polymers are usually biocampatible and biodegradable thus they do not produce adverse effects. The objective of this research is to analyze the effect of methacrylic acid concentration towards grafting parameter and biohydrogel properties which derived from carboxymethyl starch. Sago and tapioca were used as the raw material of carboxymethyl starch. The grafting process of methacrylic acid onto backbone polymer occured as a consequence of generating radical functional gruops, either in backbone polymer or in methacrylic acid itself. The grafting process had successfully occured based on Fourier Transform Infrared spectra analysis. The best grafting yield, grafting efficiency, and monomer conversion achieved with using 0,550 g/g methacrylic acid. Swelling, solubility, and water absorbtion property of biohydrogel are affected by methacrylic acid concentration. Meanwhile, oil absorbtion property is not affected by methacrylic acid concentration.
Keyword: biohydrogel, carboxymethyl starch, chitosan, grafting

Judul: Psittacosis Sebagai Zoonosis Penting Yang Berasal Dari Burung
Abstrak: Psittacosis atau ornithosis adalah penyakit menular dari burung kepada manusia. Agens penyebab psittacosis termasuk ke dalam virus psittacosis-lymphogranuloma venereum group yang disebut Chlamydia psittaci. C. psittaci hanya dapat berkembang biak di dalam jaringan hidup tetapi peka terhadap antibiotik. Penyebaran penyakit ini sangat luas, terdapat hampir di seluruh dunia. Di Indonesia penyakit ini belum pernah di diagnosa, tetapi mengingat terdapat demikian banyaknya jenis burung maka diperkirakan psittacosis ini sudah ada. Kasus pada manusia pertamakali ditemukan oleh Ritter pada tahun 1879, di Eropa. Waktu itu dikenal sebagai pneumotyphus. Chlamydia psittaci tidak hanya sebagai penyebab infeksi pada burung, juga bisa menyebabkan infeksi pada mamalia diantaranya sapi, kerbau, kambing, domba, babi dan kucing. Pada kucing dikenal sebagai feline pneumonitis. Pada domba atau kambing mengakibatkan enzootic abortion. Pada burung, kalkun merupakan unggas paling rentan diikuti oleh burung psittacine dan burung lain di luar famili psittacidae. Virulensinyapun berbeda-beda. Yang berasal dari kalkun bervirulensi tinggi, sedangkan yang berasal dari burung merpati bisa bervirulensi tinggi bisa juga bervirulensi rendah. Penularan terjadi melalui kontak langsung maupun ti- dak langsung. Penularan melalui telur tidak terjadi. Umumnya penyakit ini memperlihatkan gejala klinis berupa deman, lesu, lemah, anorexia, kurus, diarrhea ber- warna kekuningan, discharge dari mata dan hidung, conjunc- tivitis. Gejala khas pada kalkun adalah istirahat dengan sternum sebagai dasarnya, karena adanya tekanan dari bagian perut yang sakit. Sedangkan pada manusia memperlihatkan adanya demam, kadang-kadang merasa dingin, lesu, sakit kepala yang hebat, sakit pada bagian belakang badan dan photophobia…dst
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