Biodegradable Plastic from Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Starch

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

At present we could see used polyethylene plastic in every corner of the Philippines but one of the common problems observed by the researchers are waste materials such as plastic that causes floods. Because of this, the researchers decided to make a potential bioplastic material as alternative the polyethylene plastics. The study aimed to produce an environment-friendly biodegradable plastic from cassava and determine the difference from the polyethylene plastic.

METHODS

To determine the right combination 3 trials with different cassava starch proportions were prepared from the mixture. P1= 100 g of cassava starch, 200ml water, 15 ml glycerol 15 ml vinegarP2=150 g of cassava starch, 200ml water, 15 ml glycerol 15 ml vinegar P3=200 g of cassava starch, 200ml water, 15 ml glycerol 15 ml vinegarExperimental research design was applied utilizing different laboratory tools in gathering the needed data. The physical and chemical characteristic of the bio-plastic with different starch content (100g, 150g, and 200g) were evaluated using different tests to measure biodegradability, tensile strength, water resistance, strong acid resistance, and flammability.

RESULTS

Based on the findings, it can be concluded that, when it comes to biodegradability, bioplastic from cassava starch is more ideal than the Polyethylene plastic since it can be decomposed into soil within 45 days and will not be a source of pollution. The tensile strength of Polyethylene plastic was more ideal.. When it comes to water resistance, findings show that bioplastic from cassava dissolves in water while the Polyethylene plastic exhibited no change. for the strong acid resistance, results show that bioplastic dissolves in HCL while the polyethylene plastic do not exhibit any change. for flammability, the experiment showed that both plastics are flammable but the bioplastic from cassava burned more slowly.

DISCUSSIONS

The biodegradable plastic was produced successfully by mixing, casting and sun drying. The plastic produced from cassava starch had a potential application to be used as food packaging film because it is all-natural, and is not harmful to the environment and any living organism.