INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The burning of plastics in the environment is a very high-risk factor that effects

in air pollution. While the government is looking for new and efficient alternative roots

of plastic at the same time minimize its effects and to be eco-friendly, they have been

implementing orders to ban shop keepers from giving out plastic bags to the customers

for carrying their purchases with the small lasting effect, but it does not entirely solve

the problem.

Plastic bags are popular among the retailers and customers because it is low-

cost, firm, lightweight, and handy. It carries not just groceries fresh from the

supermarket but also other things. However, plastics are one of the factors for causing

pollution, wildlife killings, and taking the resources of this planet, earth.

It takes less time for the biodegradable plastic to be decomposed or breaks after

being thrown away, if they are not recycled, well, this means that it gets absorbed by

the Earth, in that way, it will eliminate the number of plastics that are dominating our

land.

Plastics are useful since it can be used for containing the food and water

consumed each and every day. But it could be very harmful to the environment. That is

why there is a need to have an alternative source of organic plastic, and one of these is

yautia. Yautia is biodegradable and there is no problem in burning, or just piling it up

on the ground.
The use of biodegradable plastic helps people by using less energy in producing it. It

means that people could produce twice the number of the non-biodegradable plastic in

a given time. As such, it does not have chemicals which are harmful to humans and to

the environment. With all the reasons stated above, it is imperative therefore to study

Yautia as an alternative source of biodegradable plastic.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Yautia (X. sagittifolium) as an

alternative source of biodegradable plastic. Specifically, it strives to answer the

following question:

1. What are the properties of Yautia bioplastic in terms of:

a) resistance to heat;

b) tensile strength; and

c) biodegradability in the effectivity between bioplastic from

Yautia (X. sagittifolium) and regular plastic

Objectives of the Study

The aims of the study are to determine the effectivity of Yautia (X. sagittifolium)

as an alternative source of biodegradable plastic. Specifically, it seeks to:

1. determine the properties of Yautia (X. sagittifolium) bioplastic in terms of

resistance to heat, tensile strength and biodegradability in the effectivity between

bioplastic from Yautia (X. sagittifolium) and regular plastic

 2. compare the differences of properties between bioplastic made from Yautia and

regular plastic

Significance of the Study

The results of this study would provide benefits to the society as part of the

environment in which it helps to find answer to matters that dealt with plastic. The

results of the study is developing biodegradable plastic when it is a huge blow to lessen,

if not totally, eliminate the global concern.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study will only be limited to the identification of the effectiveness of Yautia

(X. sagittifolium) roots as an alternative source of biodegradable plastic.

Definition of Terms

Biodegradable is capable of breaking down or be decomposed quickly by living

organisms.
Resistance to heat is the willingness to tolerate heat from melting.
Resistance to solubility is a state wherein it can be dissolved especially in water
or the dissolved substance that can be mixed in a given amount of another substance.
Durability is staying strong and in good condition over a long period of time.
Tensile strength is the greatest longitudinal stress a substance can bear without
tearing apart.
 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Yautia

Yautia is a species of tropical flowering plant in the group of Xanthosoma that

produces an edible and starchy corm. Yautia is native to Northern South America

which is raised or grown widely in various parts of the world. This plant is also

cultivated in the Philippines, they are also entirely known in Cuba and Puerto Rico. It

is a lactiferous, or it secretes milky juice, herb that prefers tropical or sub-tropical

climates with well-drained fertile soil. It is widely used for the consumption process.

Yautia (X. sagittifolium) grows up to 1.5 to 2 meters in height. The plant have

arrowhead to heart shaped leaves and the tubers have dark brown-orange skin which

possesses wiry hair and the flesh inside the corm is white. The milky juice of the plant

could provide irritation to the skin. It is rich in copper, vitamin B6, carbohydrates,

potassium and iron.

Plastic

The word plastic came from the Greek word “plastikos”, which means it is

capable of being molded. Plastics can be hard just like metal or soft like a silk. Plastics

can be conveniently divided into two categories. First is the semi-synthetic in which the

basic chain structure is derived from a natural product, such as cellulose; and synthetic,

which is built up chemically from small units or monomers. Despite the various

applications of plastics, drawbacks have been encountered in three major points. Firstly,

there are certain chemicals used in the manufacture of. Plastics that may cause allergic
reactions. Three is a need man from this threat. Secondly, since cellulose films are

biodegradable; they are readily attacked by bacteria. Films and packaging materials

from synthetic polymers are normally attacked at a very low rate. New polymers such

is nylon, polyvinyl chloride and Polystyrene have replaced cellulose, the pioneer plastic

material. As a result, these plastic materials have become permanent wastes.

(Helmenstine, 2016)

Since Polystyrene is known to leach styrene, which can damage the nervous

system. The hotter the food is the more styrene leaches from those containers which

means using them for hot foods and drinks may be worst of all. Another plastic is the

#3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is found in bags for bedding, meat wrap, plastic toys and

packs used to store medications. This plastic contains poisonous chemicals including

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Causing the endocrine systems of wildlife disrupted,

causing testicular cancer, genital deformations, low sperm counts and infertility in a

number of species, including polar bears, deer, whales and many more. (Mercola, 2013)

Knowing that it is very harmful it is encouraged to use safe and biodegradable

things. Plastics lead to landfills. Covered below each one of them, poisonous chemicals

just like mentioned above from plastics seep into groundwater, flowing next into lakes

and rivers.

With this study, Plastics will not end up in the landfills and will pile up for an

average of 450 years considering some bottles takes 1000 years to biodegrade because

When something is biodegradable, soil, air or moisture decompose it so that it becomes

part of the land. Plastics can contain more and more of preservatives. Any plastic can
extract, depending on the conditions just like the temperature and also what chemicals

or ingredients are added on plastics. If possible, it is suggested to avoid using plastics,

especially in toys or other products for children, and products that associates with foods

and drinks.

Plastic bags are harmful by polluting the environment. About a hundred million

plastic bags are used every year in the US alone. If someone considers the huge

economies and population of India, China, Europe and other parts of the world, numbers

can be staggering, or be amazed. The problem is continuing to be a bad situation by the

developing countries like India; plastic bags are highly used by everybody. Plastic bags

are being used; most bags go into land fill or rubbish tips. Every year, more and more

bags are ending up littering the environment. If plastics are just left in a public place,

plastics find their way into the water ways, roads, beaches, and if they are burned they

fill the air with toxic fumes. There are a thousand animals killed every year due to this

waste. Many animals ingest plastic bags mistaking it for food, and eventually die.

What’s worse is that they are non-biodegradable. The decomposition takes place in

about 400 years. (Henderson, 2017)

Bioplastic

Biodegradable plastics can be composed of bio-plastics, which are plastics made

from renewable raw materials. There are normally two forms of biodegradable plastic,

injection molded and solid. The solid forms normally are used for items such as food

containers, leaf collection bags, and water bottles.

 Biodegradable plastics do have some drawbacks. For example, they do not

decompose unless they are disposed of properly, meaning that biodegradable plastics

must be treated similarly to compost. The natural breakdown of the plastic will not occur

if it is simply tossed in a landfill with other trash. This is something that concerned

citizens will need to be mindful of. Some scientists also suggest that greenhouse gases

are locked within the plastic and are released into the atmosphere when composted.

However, everything used in the production of biodegradable plastic is natural. As such,

these plastics do not contain the harmful chemicals and materials that traditional plastics

do.

Some biodegradable materials do contain small pieces of metal. There is concern

that when biodegradable plastics break down, those metals will be released into the

environment. However, to date there is no evidence of that causing any significant

issues.

The benefits would seem to outweigh any potential drawbacks, but the question

of whether or not biodegradable plastics will someday replace traditional plastic is still

a matter of debate.

After formation, regular plastics hold carbon. When they are disposed of and

begin to decompose or when they are melted, that carbon is then released into the

atmosphere. Biodegradable plastics do not release carbon, because no carbon is

involved in the manufacturing process. Methane and other forms of pollutants could

also be released from traditional plastic when they are recycled and burned. This is not

the case with biodegradable plastics, which do not contain those polluting materials.
 One of the many positive aspects of biodegradable plastics is that they are able

to be broken down by naturally occurring bacteria, which again will be beneficial to the

environment.

Aside from a slightly higher cost to produce, biodegradable plastics hold many

advantages over standard plastics, with a lesser impact on the environment being one of

its greatest advantages.

Biodegradable plastics are made from all-natural plant materials. These can

include corn oil, orange peels, starch, and plants. Traditional plastic is made with

chemical fillers that can be harmful to the environment when released when the plastic

is melted down. With biodegradable plastic, you get a substance made from natural

sources that does not contain these chemical fillers, and does not pose the same risk to

the environment.

The process of making biodegradable plastics begins with the melting down of

all the materials. That mixture is then poured into molds of various shapes such as plastic

water bottles and utensils. (Connecticut Plastics, 2016)

 Hypothesis of the Study

Ho : There is no significant difference in the effectivity between bioplastic made

from Yautia and regular plastic

Ha: There is a significant difference in the effectivity between bioplastic made from

Yautia and regular plastic

 METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study is an experimental design. The yautia will be treated as the

independent variable while the properties of biodegradable plastic for every amount of

the yautia will be treated as the dependent variable. This experimental design will use a

single group design. The duration of the study will be done June and July of 2018.

Materials and Equipment

The materials to be used in this study are yautia, glycerin, water, and vinegar.

The equipment to be used are knife, cup, teaspoon, tablespoon, pan, container, gloves,

spatula, grater and strainer.

Procedure

Gathering of Materials

Yautia (X. sagittifolium) will be bought at Valencia City Public Market and

glycerin will be bought at the Mercury Drug.

Preparation of Yautia

First, the yautia will be peeled using a kitchen knife. Next, the peeled yautia will

be grated and placed in a container filled with water, then leave it for 2-3 minutes. After,

pour the water filled with grated Yautia in a strainer, leaving the liquid to settle. After
settling for 2-3 hours, the starchiness will pull out. Lastly, the starch that settled at the

base of the bowl will be dry through the sunlight.

Making of Bioplastic Sheets

A cooking pan will be added with 1 table spoon of starch from the yutia,, ¼ cup

of water, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of glycerin; hence, mixing it well before

turning the fire on. While heating, keep on stirring until the cloudy white liquid forms

into a clear gel-like liquid. When bubbles starts to form, it is a sign that the mixing of

ingredients are finish. Then pour the finished product into a container, then let it dry

until it is not sticky anymore. Henceforth, the product can be easily remove from the

container.

Determination of Properties

a) The resistance to heat will be done after setting the mixture aside, the product

will then be placed on a watch glass which will then be placed under the heat of the sun.

b) Determining the tensile strength will be done by stretching the product using a

spring balance.

c) Biodegradability time will be determined when the product is buried in a

container full of soil which will rest for 2-3 weeks.

 Chapter 4

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The statistical analysis that will be used is descriptive statistics. Since it will test

the characteristic of the study. Providing the information about what happened during

the determination of properties.

 Chapter 5

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