Development of Biodegradable Pellets From Ecuadorian Starch and a Rice Sub-Product

Abstract

The single-use plastic items derived from oil are considered an environmental burden, worldwide. Efforts have been exerted to replace oil-based plastic with biodegradable polymers. However, it is unsustainable depending on a single material, so developing countries with plenty of biomass should develop their solutions. This study proposes developing biodegradable polymer pellets based on cassava or plantain starch using rice bran as a source of fiber, different palletization temperatures, and glycerol as a plasticizer.A degradation test followed the pellet manufacture to decide the most promising formula developed. Cassava starch seems to be a better polysaccharide when working with rice bran, and 50 °C palletization temperature..