A capstone project report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Biosystems Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Capstone Project (B.Sc.)-Asian Institute of Technology, 2016

Seedlac is one of the important natural, animal-based, plant resins secreted by scale insects, which has applications in food, pharmaceutical, paint and agro-industries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the proximate composition of raw Seedlac resin and to study the bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging assay), total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu method), total flavonoid content and reducing power in Seedlac resin extracted by ultrasound-assisted extraction method. Qualitative analysis for bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, flavonoids, and terpenoids were screened. A composite film, based on Seedlac and gelatin was developed and evaluated for its physical and tensile properties. Results indicated that raw Seedlac resin consisted of 0.72% ash, 4.06% protein, 2.5% fat and 2.08% moisture. Maximum extraction yield was obtained for the sample extracted with 80% ethanol for 30 minutes. The samples extracted with 60% ethanol concentration showed highest values for antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition 38.54%), phenolic content (82.36 mg GAE/g of extract), flavonoid content (75.47 mg QE/ g of extract) and reducing power (24.8 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g of extract). Samples extracted with 80% ethanol gave lower values for antioxidant activity than those extracted with 60% ethanol probably due to denaturation of the extract at the higher ethanol concentration decreasing its scavenging ability. Composite film prepared with 1:1 ratio of gelatin to Seedlac showed the highest values for thickness (0.19mm), moisture content (18.27%), water solubility (76.91%) and water swelling (93.60%). Composite film exhibited the higher water swelling index with the increase in gelatin content of the film. Mechanical properties of Seedlac and gelatine based composite films indicated that the composite film prepared with 1:1 gelatine to seedlac ratio had thehighest tensile strength(13.72 MPa) and the highest percent elongation (29.57%). Higher gelatin content results in higher elongation because gelatin has the ability to capture water molecules increasing the polarity of the film and that water molecules could act as plasticizer which would increase flexibility of the film. It can be concluded that the mechanical properties of Seedlac films can be improved by incorporating a suitable composition of gelatin, which would make beneficial contributions to food and pharmaceutical industries.