Production of Starch-Based Plastics Derived from Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Peelings, Purple Yam (Dioscorea alata) Peelings, and Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Peelings

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, plastics are used in virtually all aspects of our daily living and it is considered convenient. Unfortunately, one concern that needs to be addressed is its safety, most especially to our environment. This research is an initiative to producing alternative plastics using peelings from taro, purple yam, and sweet potato. Results of this study may be used to avoid damages to our environment that is caused by continuous usage and utilization of plastics.

METHODS

This study made use of the following treatments: (a) treatment 0 consisting of 75 g corn starch, 300 mL water, 25 mL vinegar, and 75 mL glycerol; (b) treatment 1 consisting of 45 g taro peelings, 15 g purple yam peelings, 15 g sweet potato peelings, 300 mL water, 25 mL vinegar, and 75 mL glycerol; (c) treatment 2 consisting of 15 g taro peelings, 45 g purple yam peelings, 15 g sweet potato peelings, 300 mL water, 25 mL vinegar, and 75 mL glycerol; and (d) treatment 3 consisting of 15 g taro peelings, 15 g purple yam peelings, 45 g sweet potato peelings, 300 mL water, 25 mL vinegar, and 75 mL glycerol. Resulting plastic samples were tested for tensile strength, water resistance, biodegradability, and effects of strong acid.

RESULTS

Data shows that the tensile strength of the plastic samples are as follows: T0= 0.258 N, T1= 0.247 N, T2= 0.448 N, T3= 0.799 N. Water resistance were: T0= softened, T1= dissolve, T2= softened T3= dissolve. Resulting plastic samples were also shown to be biodegradable as they were observed to break down into pieces. Lastly, test for effects of strong acid show that the plastic samples were able to decompose and totally dissolve.

DISCUSSIONS

Based from the various test results employed, resulting plastic sample from treatment3 has higher tensile strength than the other treatments. In terms of water resistance, plastics from treatment 0 and 2 are both softened, while plastics from treatment 1 and 3 both dissolved in water. For biodegradability and effects of strong acid, all the treatments have the same results. They broke down into pieces and become totally dissolve.