Development of Bioplastic made from Starch of Potato Plant as a replacement for

Industrial Plastic Bottles

In Partial Fulfillment of
The Requirements for Senior High School

LANCE STEPHEN CALMA

ALEXANDER CANDIDO

OLIVIA CASANDRA DELA CRUZ

MICHAELA PANES

APRIL JADE RUIZ

KIANA VENISE SAULOG

MARCH 2018
 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Plastics are one of the most convenient and versatile products in the world. The range of

everyday plastic materials that exists today proves the fact that humans have been much reliant on

this versatile material. Plastic is seen today as a material used for packaging, clothing, toys, home

goods, food utensils, medical devices, and so much more. Most plastics are made from petroleum,

as it has dominated the manufacture of plastic products. Petroleum based products are derived

from natural gases and fossil fuel resources which dramatically decreases in amount every year.

Plastic production was one of the necessary and one of the highest source of income of the

industry, thus increasing the efficiency of the production was the chief concern to mankind to

increase income and suffice the needed goods. However, more plastic means more environmental

damages.

The prominence of plastic pollution is correlated with plastics being economical and

durable, which lends to high levels of plastics used by humans. However, it is slow to degrade,

and plastic pollution can unfavorably affect lands, waterways and oceans. (Yaradoddi, 2016)

Plastic bottles are a significant type of plastic that exhibits one of the highest demand among plastic

products. It has been estimated that the demand for plastic bottles amounts to one million per

minute all over the globe. In 2016, 408 billion pieces of plastic bottles were sold, 92 billion pieces

higher than the total amount of sold from 2015.

The increase on the demand for plastic bottles every year, is estimated to be at 23%,

annually. This results in creating an environmental crisis some campaigners predict, will be as

serious as climate change which means that while plastic bottles are made, they are also

responsible, along with other plastics, for floods and other environmental disasters (Leville, 2017).
 Most of the plastic bottles produced ends up as wastes and are left in landfills, taking up at

least 500 years to decompose. This potentially leaks pollution to the soil and the waters. 165

million tons of plastic are estimated to be floating around the ocean, putting a threat to the marine

life and ecosystem.

The high demand for plastic bottles and their slow degradation, puts a concern in the

declining supply of oil, a main component in the production of plastics. OGJ estimates that, as of

yearend 2015, US proved crude oil and lease condensate reserves totaled 35.27 billion bbl, down

11.6% from the prior year (Xu, 2016). Hence, the decline in one of the key ingredients in making

plastic subjects an increase in its value every year and to the interest of creating substitutes from

renewable resources.

Recycling plastics had started from the early 1970’s but the demand for plastics continually

grows with 5% consistent increase every year. (Andrany, 2003). While the recycling industry is

almost at the same stand with the bioplastic industry in terms of growth considering the two as

small competitive industries, 91% of plastic bottles still ends up being unrecycled hence, adding

up to amount of pollution caused by having these around. (Nace, 2013) The growing demand for

these durable and cheap plastic bottles will invoke much larger production and a bigger number of

plastic bottles that are to be recycled. It is not only to the extent of recycling that was considered

to put upon a study in regard to creating bottles that will decompose by itself, but also because of

the resources that are consumed in creation of the plastics.

Although the society has become dependent with products made of plastic, a development

in finding alternatives that can meet the same purposes of plastic per product have been progressing

through the years. An Eco Bag is created to perform the same function as plastic bags but are much

sturdier that it can be used more than a couple of times. Nick Sterling has said that,"If used once
per week (EcoBags), four or five reusable bags will replace 520 plastic bags a year". Products

made out of paper, such as paper straws, paper cups, and paper plates are also made to perform the

same function as their plastic counterpart but degrades in 2- 6 weeks compared to the 10 to 10000

years that it takes to degrade products made out of plastics. While these discoveries opt to replace

the plastics, some are occupied in developing a more conventional and biodegradable version of

plastics in which bioplastics arises as an interest.

Bioplastics represent a way to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. Bioplastic

are plastic derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, starch or

microbial. These biomass sources make bioplastic biodegradable.

According to Van den Oever, Molenveld, Van der Zee, and Bos (2017) a bioplastic must

be bio-based, renewable, biodegradable, compostable, recyclable, durable, and lastly stable. In line

with this, Abbot, Ballantyne, & Conde (2012) stated that “the creation of bioplastics centered on

Polylactic acid (PLA), which is produced from starch and used in packaging, disposable cups and

cutlery as well as biomedical applications. PLA has the additional advantage of being

biodegradable."

Starch is one possible component to produce bioplastic for it is a source of PLA and it has

extensive hydrogen bonding between chain. Natural polymers can be easily acquired in starch

(Abolibda, 2015). Starch can be obtained from cassava, corn, potato, or banana peels. Potato is an

excellent sample in creating bioplastic as it can contain 13% to 23% starch depending on their

water content. Potatoes also have a lot of water requirement which allows it to hold a large amount

of water in it. These characteristics were mentioned by Ahmed (2016) where he recommends using

potato starch as it contains more starch than banana peels however it takes a longer time to dry.

According to Dr. Qiang Liu, head researcher of the BioPotato Network, “Not all bio-based
products are biodegradable, and not all biodegradable products are bio-based”. However, he also

stated using renewable feedstocks such as potato starch or dry matter to produce carbon-based

polymer materials will benefit the environment, whether or not the end product is biodegradable.

Potatoes are excellent sources of starch as it can contain 13% to 23% starch depending on

their water content. Potatoes also have a lot of water requirement which allows it to hold a large

amount of water in it. These characteristics were mentioned by Ahmed (2016) where he

recommends using potato starch as it contains more starch than banana peels however it takes a

longer time to dry. According to Dr. Qiang Liu, head researcher of the BioPotato Network, “Not

all bio-based products are biodegradable, and not all biodegradable products are bio-based”.

However, he also stated using renewable feedstocks such as potato starch or dry matter to produce

carbon-based polymer materials will benefit the environment, whether or not the end product is

biodegradable.

Constructing a bioplastic made to replace industrial bioplastics must be on par with the

current plastics that the industry produces today. Other bioplastic products made from banana

peels reveal that a bioplastic must be flexible enough to not break with a pulling force of four

newton on each side. Ahmed (2016). According to the teaching guide of The Royal Society of

Chemistry (2015) to create a bioplastic made from potato starch 2.5g to 4g of potato starch is to

be added into 25 ml of water added with 3 ml hydrochloric acid and 2 ml propan-1,2,3-triol.

Bioplastics is an innovating technology that has a lot of potential. The role of raw products

in production of bioplastics is very essential and the agriculture gets a whole new market of food.

This opens new doors for business opportunities and the evolution of this technology will evolve

through the raising competition among business competitors and the quality, price, technological

processes, and environmental preservation will then on follow as advancements.

 One aspect that is to be tested when creating plastic bottles, is its durability. A research

entitled, "Determination of Drop-Impact Resistance of Plastic Bottles using Computer Aided

Engineering" has its objective aligned with determining the mean failure height to control the

bottle's qualities. To put it together, the relativity of the height that will be determined in this test

will be beneficial in knowing at what height should they be stored or the stacking height limit as

bottles are often stacked on top of one another after manufacture.

Hence, concerning the stacking bottles, top load test is also a type of test widely used to

test the maximum amount of load that a bottle can bear to its maximum when increasing the

amount of force applied to the PET products. The test also helps to measure the compressive

strength and busting strength of bottles. This information is as stated from the PRESTO testing

instruments company. An Indian laboratories and testing company that tests products such as paper

and packaging, paint, plating, coating, rubber and plastic (Presto Group 2014).

The use of bioplastics is now deemed to be a better solution than just recycling regular

plastics. Therefore, having plastic bottles as significant contributors to pollution, the researchers

would want to develop plastic bottles made from bioplastic, now called as bio-bottles, from potato

starch.
1.2 Conceptual Framework

The framework shows the criteria which will be used as the basis for evaluation. The

mechanical properties of a plastic bottle that would be dependent on the amount of potato starch

added the bottles’ mean failure height and compression strength.

Amount of
Potato
Starch Lab Test
Mean failure height and
𝑇1 = 2.5𝑔 Drop-Impact Test and compression strength of Bioplastic
Bottles
𝑇2 = 3𝑔 Top-Load Test
𝑇3 = 4𝑔

Lab Test Mean failure height and

Industrial
plastic Drop-Impact Test and compression strength of industrial
PET Bottles
Top-Load Test

1.3 Objectives

The study aims to develop bioplastic bottles made from potato starch as a replacement for

industrial plastic. Specifically, the research seeks to:

1. Determine the mean failure height of the bioplastic made from varying amounts of potato starch

a.) 2.5g of potato starch

b.) 3 g of potato starch

c.) 4g of potato starch

2. Determine the average compression strength of the bioplastic made from varying amounts of

potato starch

a.) 2.5g of potato starch

b.) 3 g of potato starch

c.) 4g of potato starch

4. Distinguish whether there is a significant difference between the bioplastic made from varying

amounts of potato starch and industrial plastic in terms of:

a.) Failure height

b.) Compression Strength

1.4 Hypothesis

For the objectives of the research to be realized, this study will revolve around the

parameters of producing a substitute for the industrial plastic using a biodegradable material such

as potato starch that can markedly meet the standards of the industrial plastic bottle and prove that

there is no significant difference between the bioplastic and industrial plastic in terms of their

respective failure height and compression strength.

1.5 Scope and Limitation

The study will cover the quality of the bioplastic made from different levels of potato starch

and compare it’s characteristics to industrial plastic to determine if it is fit to act as a replacement

for plastics bottles in institutions.

However, this study will not assess the advantages and disadvantages of using potato starch

for the creation of bioplastics. This research is also susceptible to errors, may it be from

discrepancy of the researchers’ measurements of the chemical components. These, of course,

would be of less significance for the experiment would be replicated three times. The study will

also not replicate the shapes and forms of industrial plastic bottles and would only use a simple

cylindrical shape as a mold for the plastic.

1.6 Significance of the Study

With identification if the characteristics are good enough to match the industrial plastic

that are used today, the possibility of change and replacement of old plastic bottles with the use of

natural ingredients to save oil and the economy arises. In addition, study will present DLSU-D

with a chance to be the first university to use eco-friendly plastics in the nation.

The study will also be beneficial to manufacturers as they will have a new idea for an eco-

friendly water bottle that can reduce the pollution while preserving the flavors and scents of foods.
Bioplastics are also constantly gaining legislative support as they consume less energy to be

created and can be decomposed quickly.

The study will also be beneficial to the DENR – Department of Environment and Natural

Resources. Since, the Philippines is an agricultural country the use of potatoes will not only be

cost effective but will be of effective use of the country’s resources. Moreover, the polylactic acid

from starch is believed to decompose faster and will reduce clogging of canals that leads to flood

and damages to the environment.

1.7 Definition of terms

Bioplastic - –plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such

as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, or microbiota.

Industrial Plastic - –common plastics that are made from petroleum or natural gas.

Plastics used by the industry today.

Failure Height –average height where a product is subjected to break

Compression Strength –the maximum force

Set-up 1 –bioplastic made from 2.5g potato starch

Set-up 2 –bioplastic made from 3g potato starch

Set-up 3 –bioplastic made from 4g potato starch

 METHODOLOGY

2.1 Research Design

The research aims to create a bioplastic made from potato starch as a possible replacement

to industrial plastic bottles. Specifically, the research seeks to (1) Determine the mean failure

height of the bioplastic made from potato starch at varying amounts (2.5g, 3g, 4g), (2) Determine

the average compression strength of the bioplastic made from potato starch at varying amounts

(2.5g, 3g, 4g), (4) Distinguish whether there is a significant difference between the bioplastic made

from potato starch and industrial plastic in terms of failure height and compression strength.

In order to achieve these objectives, randomized block design, an experimental quantitative

method, was applied for the research design. This method was chosen because it allows us to

establish the effects of different starch levels on the properties of the bioplastic. Specifically, the

research will observe the differences between the failure height and compression strength of

bioplastic bottles produced in different levels of starch. Thus, the experimental method will help

the study obtain data and visualize the effects of starch in a bioplastic.

2.2 Research Setting

The study will take place at Pasong Camachile in the house of one of the researchers

where the extraction of starch will take place.

The gathering of data will be conducted on De La Salle University Dasmariñas, which

will provide the researchers with necessary laboratory equipment and workplace that will be

used to create the plastic and calculate the mean failure height and average compression strength.
2.3 Research Procedure

Subsequent to doing some extensive research, the researchers will start producing their

own bioplastic. In order to start the production of bioplastic, researchers prepared the following

materials;

For extracting starch

Researcher will use: Approximately 100 g clean potatoes, Grater, Tea strainer, Distilled

water, Pestle and mortar, and 100 cm3 measuring cylinder.

For making plastic from potato starch

Researchers will use: 250 cm3 beaker, Large watch glass, Bunsen burner, Tripod and

gauze, Stirring rod, Potato starch, Propan-1, 2, 3-triol, Hydrochloric acid 0.1 mol/dm3

(Minimal hazard), Sodium hydroxide 0.1 mol/dm3 (Irritant), Food colouring, Petri dish or

white tile, Universal Indicator paper, Eye protection, Access to a balance, 25 cm3

measuring cylinder, and 10 cm3 measuring cylinder.

The following procedures were followed:

Extracting starch

1. Gather at least 100 g of potato skin.

2. Put the potato into a food processor, pulse until the peels are coarsely chopped.

3. Then, transfer the processed peels into a bowl and add about 100 ml distilled water.

4. Using a spatula, gradually mix the mixture.

5. Pour the liquid off through the tea strainer into the beaker, leaving the potato behind in

the mortar. Add 100 ml water, grind and strain twice more.

6. Leave the mixture to settle in the beaker for 5 minutes.

7. Decant the water from the beaker, leaving behind the white starch which should have

settled in the bottom. Add about 100 g distilled water to the starch and stir gently. Leave

to settle again and then decant the water, leaving the starch behind.

Making the plastic

1. Put 25 ml water into the beaker and add (2.5g, 3g, 4g) potato starch, 3 ml hydrochloric

acid and 2 ml propan-1,2,3-triol.

2. Put the watch glass on the beaker and heat the mixture using the Bunsen burner. Bring it

carefully to the boil and then boil it gently for 15 minutes. Make sure it does not boil dry

– if it looks like it might, then stop heating.

3. Dip the glass rod into the mixture and dot it onto the indicator paper to measure the pH.

Add enough sodium hydroxide solution to neutralise the mixture, testing after each

addition with indicator paper. You will probably need to add about the same amount of

sodium hydroxide as you did acid at the beginning (3 ml).

4. Pour the mixture onto a labelled petri dish or white tile and push it around with the glass

rod so that you have an even covering.

5. Label your mixture and leave it to dry out. This will take about 1 day on a radiator or

sunny windowsill or two days at room temperature.

6. Mold the plastic into a cylindrical shape with consistent thickness of 5 mm.
2.4 Data gathering and statistical tool

To collect sufficient data, the researchers will do the laboratory testing three times per

starch level, (2.5g, 3g, 4g of potato starch) a total of 9 trials and compare its results against the

properties of industrial plastic bottles that are used today.

The next step for the researchers after producing their own bioplastic plastic is to test and

examine thoroughly its failure height and compression strength.

Mean Failure Height

To determine the durability of the bio plastic, the produced bio plastic bottle is

subjected to drop-impact test by the dropping the bio plastic bottles in certain heights and

assessing the mean failure height of the bottles and the top load test

The mean failure heights of the bio plastic bottles will determined using the “Up and

Down” or the “Bruceton Staircase” method referred to in ASTM D2463-95 (2001). This

procedure determines the weight, height and energy where a sample fails when it is impacted

with a free-falling weight. The bio plastic bottles shall have a cylindrical shape and 250mL

capacity. Nine bio plastic bottles will be fully filled with water. The first bio plastic bottle will

be dropped from a height of 1.5 m where the bottle was dropped so that there was vertical

impact with the floor. The height of the drop impact test for the next bottle will be increased

by 0.5 m if the previous bottle did not fail on dropping. Otherwise, if the previous bottle had

failed, the next bottle will be dropped from a height that was lower by 0.5 m. The mean failure

height, hf, and the standard deviation, sf, obtained from ASTM D2463-95, (2001) can be

written using Equations:

 Where,

Where

The drop impact test performed by Chakit Suvanjumrat for his research entitled

"Determination of Drop-Impact Resistance of Plastic Bottles using Computer Aided Engineering”

served as the procedure’s basis and the reason why the starting height for the test is 1.5 m. This is

because the bottle used in Suvanjumrat’s research was 520 mL and was tested at starting height of 3

m. Having that said, the researchers had assumed an estimated ratio of these values, giving the

researchers the value of 1.5 m with a 250 mL bottle.

Average Compression Strength

Light weighting or the reduction of raw material volume in packaging is an important

cost concern for packaging manufacturers. Top-load testing is one of the most accurate

methods for reliably determining container integrity. It is said that a smaller sample means

lower capacity of compressive strength. Most commonly used containers can be tested with a

single-column top-load tester with models available rated up to a capacity of 5kN (1100lbf).

The researchers will rely on the results gathered from a tester. Specific for this test, PTL-0105

digital machine with a max load range 100Kgf, accuracy of 2% full scale, resolution of 0.1

Kgf, test speed as per standard, and a peak load indicator with digital readout and peak hold

feature. Three bio plastic bottles will be tested differing from the levels of starch with the use

of this machinery.
 After gathering the data from the laboratory tests, the researchers will use Analysis of

variance (ANOVA) as the statistical technique wherein the relationship or differences of the

variables in the data will be analyzed. It assesses possible changes by the nominal-level variable

to the scale-level dependent variable. The said type of analysis will result to the interpretation of

the gathered data from bioplastic and industrial plastic test, thus the objective to compare the

sample bioplastic to an industrial plastic will be achieved. The data will be presented in a statistical

test manner and will be interpreted in a descriptive approach.

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