Biodegradable Plastic from Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) Starch
ABSTRACT
The study aims to produce biodegradable plastic using cassava starch as its main component. Cassava starch was mixed with water, epoxydized soya bean oil (ESBO), glycerol, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The mixture was then compressed and tested. Three preparations were made from the mixture. The first preparation contained 50 grams starch, 50 grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams ESBO, and 2.5 grams glycerol. The second preparation contained 65 grams starch, 65 grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams ESBO, and 2.5 grams gycerol. The third preparation contained 80 grams starch, 80 grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams ESBO, and 2.5 grams gycerol. The first preparation exhibited the most desirable mechanical properties. The material produced was proven to be biodegradable.
INTRODUCTION
There is an increasing demand for plastic, from the highly technological fields of electronics, fiber optics, and pharmaceuticals to the basic necessities such as sandwich wrappers and garbage bags. This high demand for plastics, however, has been a major contributor to the world's present garbage problems. The researches _ AZ1 aimed at developing biodegradable plastics is one big step to lessen, if not total eliminate, this global concern. The use of biodegradable plastics has already started in the United States. Some plastics use cornstarch as an additive. This additive helps in the natural decomposition of the plastic materials. Cassava is basically composed of starch. Cassava starch is composed of two components: amylose and amylopectin. An amylose is a long straight chain of polymer of anhydroglucose units. An amylopectin is a branched chain compound, also of anhydroglucose units.
Because plastics are made of polymers, starch is a very favorable raw material in plastic-making. The study was limited to one species of cassava, Manihot esculenta. The plastic produced was treated with different amounts of starch, polyvinyl alcohol (binder), epoxidized soya bean oil
The study aims to produce biodegradable plastic using cassava starch as its main component. Cassava starch was mixed with water, epoxydized soya bean oil (ESBO), glycerol, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The mixture was then compressed and tested. Three preparations were made from the mixture. The first preparation contained 50 grams starch, 50 grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams ESBO, and 2.5 grams glycerol. The second preparation contained 65 grams starch, 65 grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams ESBO, and 2.5 grams gycerol. The third preparation contained 80 grams starch, 80 grams water, 50 grams PVA, 2.5 grams ESBO, and 2.5 grams gycerol. The first preparation exhibited the most desirable mechanical properties. The material produced was proven to be biodegradable.
INTRODUCTION
There is an increasing demand for plastic, from the highly technological fields of electronics, fiber optics, and pharmaceuticals to the basic necessities such as sandwich wrappers and garbage bags. This high demand for plastics, however, has been a major contributor to the world's present garbage problems. The researches _ AZ1 aimed at developing biodegradable plastics is one big step to lessen, if not total eliminate, this global concern. The use of biodegradable plastics has already started in the United States. Some plastics use cornstarch as an additive. This additive helps in the natural decomposition of the plastic materials. Cassava is basically composed of starch. Cassava starch is composed of two components: amylose and amylopectin. An amylose is a long straight chain of polymer of anhydroglucose units. An amylopectin is a branched chain compound, also of anhydroglucose units.
Because plastics are made of polymers, starch is a very favorable raw material in plastic-making. The study was limited to one species of cassava, Manihot esculenta. The plastic produced was treated with different amounts of starch, polyvinyl alcohol (binder), epoxidized soya bean oil