Abstract
The graft copolymerization of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) onto sago starch biopolymer (sago starch-g-PMMA) was carried out using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator. PMMA was grafted onto sago starch using CAN as an initiator under nitrogen gas atmosphere. The maximum percentage of grafting (%G) was determined to be 246% at the optimum conditions. The copolymers produced were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR). The PTIR spectra of the copolymers clearly indicated the presence of characteristic peaks of PMMA and sago starch, which suggested that PMMA had been successfully grafted on the sago starch. Biodegradability studies of sago starch-g-PMMA and sago starch were carried out by alpha-arnylase enzyme. Maximum biodegradation of the biopolyrner was achieved after 3 days of incubation, while for the product (sago starch-g-PMMA) was 7 days. The maximum production of glucose was obtained when the concentration of a amylase reached 10 ppm.