No abstract

With the ever-increasing demand of plastics in the world and their consequent disastrous effects on environment, a suitable environmental-friendly substitute like bioplastics/biodegradable plastics is the need time. This study centers on green-production of a variety of bioplastic samples from (1) banana peel starch (BPP) and (2) a composite of banana peel starch, cornstarch and rice starch (COM) with varying amounts of potato peel powder and wood dust powder as fillers, respectively. Two different plasticizers – Glycerol and Sorbitol – have been utilized separately and in a 1:1 combination. A total of 12 samples of each of two types of bioplastics were made using multiple amounts and combinations of the fillers and plasticizers, to test the differences in the physical and chemical characteristics (moisture content, absorption of water, solubility in water, solubility in alcohol, biodegradation in soil, tensile strength, Young’s modulus and FT-IR) of the produced samples due to their different compositions. The differences in the properties of the bioplastic samples produced make them suitable for usage in many different applications. All 24 of the samples produced were synthesized using natural and environmentally safe raw material and showed biodegradation, thus proving to be a good alternative to the conventional plastics.

The present study focuses on testing the potential of starch from two different sources: corn and rice, to produce bioplastics, and the impact of natural agricultural waste materials (eggshells and rice hulls) as fillers. Bioplastic samples with different starches, plasticizers and amounts of fillers, in varying combinations, were prepared to determine the feasibility of the produced bioplastics. The physico-chemical properties of the bioplastics, such as moisture content, water absorption, water and alcohol solubility, biodegradability, tensile strength and Young’s modulus, were investigated. FT-IR analysis was also performed. The RTV silicone coating of the samples was tested to induce hydrophobic properties to water-soluble bioplastics. This study demonstrated that the utilization of starches from different sources, various types of plasticizers, as well as filler types and amounts, can have a significant impact on the physico-chemical properties of the bioplastics. Moreover, the bioplastics produced are safe for the environment and biodegradable, so starch-based bioplastics can be a promising environmentally friendly alternative to harmful petroleum-based plastics.