Professional Documents
Culture Documents
In Partial Fulfillment of
The Requirements for Senior High School
ALEXANDER CANDIDO
MICHAELA PANES
MARCH 2018
INTRODUCTION
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
1.3 Objectives
The study aims to develop bioplastic bottles made from potato starch as a replacement for
1. Determine the mean failure height of the bioplastic made from varying amounts of potato starch
2. Determine the average compression strength of the bioplastic made from varying amounts of
potato starch
4. Distinguish whether there is a significant difference between the bioplastic made from varying
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
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
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
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
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
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
Industrial Plastic - –common plastics that are made from petroleum or natural gas.
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.
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.
The study will take place at Pasong Camachile in the house of one of the researchers
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;
Researcher will use: Approximately 100 g clean potatoes, Grater, Tea strainer, Distilled
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
Extracting starch
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.
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.
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.
1. Put 25 ml water into the beaker and add (2.5g, 3g, 4g) potato starch, 3 ml hydrochloric
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
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
4. Pour the mixture onto a labelled petri dish or white tile and push it around with the glass
5. Label your mixture and leave it to dry out. This will take about 1 day on a radiator or
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
The next step for the researchers after producing their own bioplastic plastic is to test and
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
Where
The drop impact test performed by Chakit Suvanjumrat for his research entitled
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
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
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