SOLANUM TUBEROSUM (POTATO) AND MANIHOT ESCULENTA (CASSAVA) PEEL STARCH-BASED BIOPLASTIC: A POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL PLASTIC BAGS

Abstract

Plastic plays an important role in people's lives because it offers numerous advantages in terms of production and usage. However, plastics are made from non-biodegradable, petroleum-based materials that take hundreds of years to degrade, causing environmental concerns. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of potato and cassava peel starch-based bioplastics as potential alternatives to conventional plastics in terms of tensile strength, water absorption, and durability. The study followed a quantitative method, and a true-experimental research design was utilized to determine the relationship between the control and experimental groups. To analyze the data effectively, the researchers used T-tests, means, water absorption formulas, tensile strength formulas, and Two-Way ANOVA. The results of the study revealed that potato and cassava peel starch, coconut oil, vinegar, and water are the necessary ingredients for the production of starch-based bioplastics. The data also revealed that the sample with a concentration of 5C:10P showed higher tensile strength (6.77 MPa) but had average water absorption (27.25%) and low durability (0.63s). Moreover, the sample with a concentration of 10C:5P showed average tensile strength (3.03 MPa) and average durability (1.20s) but high water absorption (53.43%). Meanwhile, the sample with a concentration of 10C:10P showed average tensile strength (5.04 MPa) but had low water absorption (14.27%) and low durability (0.73s). The relationship between the effectiveness of potato and cassava peel starch-based bioplastics and conventional plastics showed no significant difference. The results of this study will serve as a reference for future researchers.