RESEARCH JOURNAL # 17

Yvonne Andrhea B. Mappala 12/2/19

8 – Anthurium Group # 2

CASSAVA STARCH AS A MAJOR COMPONENT IN

MAKING BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC
A Science Investigatory Project
Presented to Ms. Mercy Grace de Guzman
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for Science & Technology II
by:
Group 3
Kimberly Duran
Tanya Villarete
Janice Nermal
Sheena Dioneo
Francis Villanueva

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this experiment is to be able to help the society with its environmental issues by creating
biodegradable plastic out of cassava starch. The procedures that the researchers used in this
investigatory project were all experimental and were based on Scientific Method. The researchers used
environment-friendly materials which can be made into biodegradable plastics that will not harm the
environment and will not add to pollution problems. The result was found that the product exhibited
the desirable mechanical properties of a biodegradable plastic thus the product is completely
biodegradable at disposal. The researchers conclude that cassava starch is one of the most promising
raw material for the development of biodegradable plastics due to its availability in large quantity, its
relatively low cost and its biodegradability.

INTRODUCTION
Using cassava starch in developing biodegradable plastic is one big step to lessen, if not total eliminate,
our global concerns. Generally, this study is conducted to replace the conventional non-biodegradable
plastics using cassava starch as its main component for ideal biodegradable plastic. Some plastics use
starch as an additive. This additive helps in the natural decomposition of the plastic materials. Cassava
starch is composed of two components such as amylose and amylopectin. Since plastics are made of
polymers, starch is a very favorable raw material in plastic-making. As a major source of starch in
tropical and subtropical regions, cassava is a promising raw material for the development of
biodegradable plastics in these areas. Starch is a natural polymer and is biodegradable and is used in this
research because it is renewable and cheap. Also, it is pure and can be blended with other polymers to
make cheap biodegradable plastic.

As a major source of starch in tropical and subtropical regions, cassava is a promising raw material for
the development of biodegradable plastics in these areas. Starch is a natural polymer and is
biodegradable and is used in this research because it is renewable and cheap. Also, it is pure and can be
blended with other polymers to make cheap biodegradable plastic. In this research study, the
researchers would like to obtain biodegradable plastics derived from starch-based materials that
perform as well as traditional plastics when in use and which completely biodegrade at disposal. This
study contributes a lot for concerns on environmental problems, climate change, and pollution
problems.
This study also contributes knowledge to the researchers and also to the community in the sense of
using biodegradable plastic instead of commercial plastic that may destroy our environment.
Upon conducting the experimentation process, the researchers had stated some limitations within the
study. Limited materials and resources were only used. No synthetic chemicals were added. All materials
were environment-friendly. These are being tested and compared through the different characteristics
of plastics such as texture, transparency, elasticity and biodegradability.
METHODOLOGY

Materials:
• Water
• Spatula
• Vinegar
• Hot plate
• Water bath
• Flat container
• Cassava starch
• Glycerol/glycerin

Procedures:
 First, the researchers poured 1 tbsp. of starch, 4 tbsp. of water, 1 tsp. of glycerin, and 1 tsp. of
vinegar in the water bath.
 Second, the hot plate was turned on low fire.
 Third, stir the mixture. The researchers kept on stirring until a sticky paste was formed.
 Fourth, the hot plate was turned off and the mixture was poured in the container. It was spread
evenly and was kept as thin as possible.
 Lastly, it was placed under the sun to solidify.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. DATA AND RESULT Table 1 Texture Bio plastic made of cassava starch Transparency Elasticity
Biodegradability

Sticky

More transparent

Less elastic

Degrade faster

Commercial plastic

smooth

Less transparent

More elastic

Degrade in a long period of time

DISCUSSION OF RESULT
Based on the data presented above, the researchers had found out that the plastic made of cassava
starch acquired the mechanical properties of a biodegradable plastic. The product also confirmed its
biodegradability in the way of degrading faster compared to the commercial plastic. The Bioplastic was
also exceptional in terms of transparency.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusions
Based on the results and analysis of data, cassava starch is a promising alternative in producing
biodegradable plastic. The plastic made of cassava starch is not only biodegradable but also has good
quality in terms of transparency.

Among bio-based materials from natural resource, starch is one of the most abundant raw materials for
the development of biodegradable plastics due to its availability in large quantity, its relatively low cost
and its biodegradability.
Although conventional plastics have certain characteristics that make them “special”, biodegradable
plastics are going to be demanded in bulk in the near future and all methods of production would be
used maximally.

Recommendations
The researchers would like to recommend that factory workers had to utilize cassava starch in making
biodegradable plastic for the benefit of our environment and to minimize pollution. The researchers
would also like to recommend the people to buy and use biodegradable plastic made up of cassava
starch because it is more affordable and its quality is as good as those of commercial plastics. Thus
researchers also recommend to the media to commercialize biodegradable plastic made of cassava
starch so that a lot of people will recognize and start using these plastics.

Lastly, the researchers recommend scientists to have a further research about biodegradable plastics. It
is for the improvement of knowledge in using cassava starch as an effective component for ideal
biodegradable plastic.

GLOSSARY

 Exhibited – to show something publicly

 Desirable – worth having and wanted by most people
 Conventional – traditional and ordinary
 Amylose – a component of starch characterized by its straight chains of
glucose units
 Amylopectin – a component of starch that has a high molecular weight
and branched structure and does not tend to gel in aqueous solutions
 Polymers – a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed
by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units
 Synthetic – relating to or involving synthesis : not analytic
 Acquired – gained by or as a result of effort or experience
 Degrading – causing or associated with a low, destitute, or demoralized
state : causing someone to be or feel degraded
 Bulk – being in large quantities or not divided into separate units : being
in bulk