Biodegradable Plastics from Potato Starch
CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTTING
Introduction
Throughout the 20th century, plastics have been an essential part of the market industry. Most plastics are a combination of other organic and inorganic compounds; 20% of the content of a plastic is composed of additives. Biodegradable plastics are usually derived from proteins such as those that are present in a potato plant. Polymers are large molecules consisting of many repeating units, called monomers. Polymers can be made out of starch which is composed of long chains of glucose molecules. This study focuses mainly on making biodegradable plastics, which is certainly safer than non-biodegradable plastics, from potato starch. Biodegradable plastics made from raw materials are completely reusable and can be composted easily. Potato starch contains minimal protein and fat. Potato starch is a Polymer made of long chains of glucose units joined together. Potato starch contains two polymers: Amylopectin, highly-branched molecules, making up the majority of the starch found in plants, and Amylose which contains long, chain-like molecules. Potato starch is a versatile material because it has the ability to bind and thicken; it can also be used as an ingredient in making papers, construction materials, adhesives, and other non-food products. There are many product developments that are based on the starch of the potato, products like biodegradable eco-plastics, foam packaging chips, carrier bags, and trays that can be used for food. In terms of biochemistry, starch is a polysaccharide sugar. Its sugar has a component called glucose. The two components, Amylose and Amylopectin, determines the characteristic of the starch of the potato. Normally, the ratio of amylose to Amylopectin is around 1:4 to 1:5. The most valued characteristics of starch such as good adhesive properties are due to the Amylopectin, which is therefore the more coveted component. The separation of two components is very expensive for the
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTTING
Introduction
Throughout the 20th century, plastics have been an essential part of the market industry. Most plastics are a combination of other organic and inorganic compounds; 20% of the content of a plastic is composed of additives. Biodegradable plastics are usually derived from proteins such as those that are present in a potato plant. Polymers are large molecules consisting of many repeating units, called monomers. Polymers can be made out of starch which is composed of long chains of glucose molecules. This study focuses mainly on making biodegradable plastics, which is certainly safer than non-biodegradable plastics, from potato starch. Biodegradable plastics made from raw materials are completely reusable and can be composted easily. Potato starch contains minimal protein and fat. Potato starch is a Polymer made of long chains of glucose units joined together. Potato starch contains two polymers: Amylopectin, highly-branched molecules, making up the majority of the starch found in plants, and Amylose which contains long, chain-like molecules. Potato starch is a versatile material because it has the ability to bind and thicken; it can also be used as an ingredient in making papers, construction materials, adhesives, and other non-food products. There are many product developments that are based on the starch of the potato, products like biodegradable eco-plastics, foam packaging chips, carrier bags, and trays that can be used for food. In terms of biochemistry, starch is a polysaccharide sugar. Its sugar has a component called glucose. The two components, Amylose and Amylopectin, determines the characteristic of the starch of the potato. Normally, the ratio of amylose to Amylopectin is around 1:4 to 1:5. The most valued characteristics of starch such as good adhesive properties are due to the Amylopectin, which is therefore the more coveted component. The separation of two components is very expensive for the