Study Of Whitening And Tensile Strength Of Water Hyacinth Resulting From Bleaching Process By Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant often used as a craft product because it is attractive for its various positive properties but requires further handling, especially regarding its color. White is one of the most popular types, and the manufacturing process involves bleaching stages using chemical compounds such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The use of H₂O₂ in the bleaching process still has consequences for the quality of the material, which becomes easily damaged, and the bleaching process, which involves the presence of sunlight or ultraviolet lamps, occurs more quickly. This research examines the relationship between the duration of soaking water hyacinth in H₂O₂ solution in the presence of direct light or in dark conditions on its color and tensile test strength. Based on the research results, the Hue, Saturation, and Value (HSV) color data increase the brightness based on saturation and value data. Tensile test capability testing carried out using the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) instrument showed that immersing water hyacinth in H₂O₂ for 4-8 minutes did not cause a significant change in tensile test capability, so it was still possible for various purposes as a raw material in the creative industry.