Baong Dioscorea esculenta Lour.

Starch as Bioplastic Container

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements

in the subject Practical Research II

Chesca Mae Macasio

Mikaila Theresa Montinola

Lerche Jamihla Delgado

Rod Lester Moreno

Carl Bansag

Wrizmel Ryan Rios

Marco Antonio Bungabong

Jona Mae Galedo

Maria Luisa Rizalina Atienza

Danielle Lyka Suriaga

Keith Vagilidad Magbanua

Research Teacher

March 2019
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

I. Background of the Study

Since 1950s, the world already produced over nine billion tons of plastics. There are

only about 9 percent of plastic wastes subjected for recycling. Some trashed our ocean and

other water forms, pollutes our environment, sits in landfills and take up to 500 years to

decompose. (Cho, 2017)

Plastics are material that are soft and are easy to turn into many different forms. It

is mostly synthetic materials made from polymers, which are long molecules built around

chains of carbon atoms, usually with hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen filling in the

spaces. (Woodford, 2018)

Recent studies showed that many people developed bioplastics or those materials

that emits lesser greenhouse gases. There is no net increase in carbon dioxide when they

break down because the plants that bioplastics are made from absorbed that same amount

of carbon dioxide as they grew. A 2017 study determined that switching from traditional

plastic to corn-based PLA would cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent. The

study also concluded that if traditional plastics were produced using renewable energy

sources, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced 50 to 75 percent; however,

bioplastics that might be produced in the future with renewable energy showed the most

promise for substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (Cho, 2017)

 Many people thought the bioplastic is our answer to our problem due to increasing

plastic usage, but in some part, it is not true. Most bioplastic needs high temperature

industrial composting facilities to break down and very few cities have the infrastructure

needed to deal with them. These bioplastics end up in landfills just like the traditional

plastics, it may also deprive oxygen and release methane, which is a type of greenhouse

gas that takes up to 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. (Cho, 2017)

Considering the world's problem on plastic wastes, the researchers decided to

produce bioplastic water containers from Lesser Yam Discorea esculenta Starch. This study

is based on the recent study of Biofase, a company based in Mexico. Biofase produces

single-use cutlery and straw from Avocado pits. Their products completely biodegrade after

240 days of being buried or being exposed on elements. Since it is a new product, it is

expected to cost twice as much as the normal cutlery or straw we use.

Baong is a slender, slightly hairy, spiny vine, reaching a height of several meters.

Tubers are 15 to 20 centimeters long, leaves are 6 to 12 centimeters long, heart-shaped,

with rounded lobes. Flowers are green, about 4 millimeters in diameter. It is usually found in

secondary forests, and low altitude area. (Stuart, 2015).

II. Objectives of the Study

This study intends to utilize Baong Dioscorea esculenta Lour. as bioplastic container.

Specifically, the study aims to:

1. test if Baong starch can be utilized as bioplastic container;

2. determine the property of Baong starch as bioplastic containers in terms of

durability, thickness and moisture resistance;

3. compare the property of bioplastic container as Baong starch to commercially

used polyethylene terephthalate in terms of durability, thickness and moisture

resistance.

III. Hypotheses of the Study

The following hypotheses will be put forward:

1. Baong Dioscorea esculenta Lour. starch as bioplastic container is not effective;

2. Bioplastic containers from Baong Dioscorea esculenta Lour. is not durable, thin

and it does not have resistance to moist.

3. There are no advantages in using Baong Dioscorea esculenta Lour. when

compared to commercially used polyethylene terephthalate.

IV. Significance of the Study

The results of the study could be helpful to the environment in many ways.

First, if the study is proved to be effective, it can be used as an alternative for

polyethylene terephthalate, it can reduce pollutants in the air when processing non-

biodegradable plastics. This bioplastic can also help the sustainability and

preservation of non-renewable petroleum which is a great demand throughout the

world.
V. Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study entitled Baong Dioscorea esculenta Lour. Starch as Bioplastic

Plastic focused on yielding bioplastic using local products, like Baong, and

comparing it to commercially used polyethylene terephthalate.

The variables that will be measured and observed in the study are a.)

durability; b.) thickness; and c.) moisture resistance.

VI. Definition of Terms

Bioplastic - can be made from agricultural by-products and also from used plastic

bottles and other containers using microorganisms.

Polyethylene terephthalate- polymer that makes grocery bags, shampoo bottles,

children's toys, and even bullet proof vests. 

 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Plastic

2.1.1 What are plastics?

Plastics is the term commonly used to describe a wide range of synthetic or

semi-synthetic materials that are used in a huge and growing range of applications.

Everywhere you look, you will find plastics. We use plastic products to help make our

lives cleaner, easier, safer and more enjoyable. We find plastics in the clothes we

wear, the houses we live in, and the cars we travel in. The toys we play with, the

televisions we watch, the computers we use and the DVDs we watch all contain

plastics.

Plastics are organic materials, just like wood, paper or wool. The raw

materials used to produce plastics are natural products such as cellulose, coal, natural

gas, salt and, of course, crude oil. Plastics have become the modern material of choice

because they make it possible to balance today’s needs with environmental concerns.

The term ‘’plastic’’ is derived from the Greek word ''plastikos'', meaning fit

for moulding. This refers to the material’s malleability, or plasticity during manufacture,

which allows it to be cast, pressed, or extruded into a variety of shapes - such as films,

fibres, plates, tubes, bottles, boxes, and much more. (PlasticsEurope, 2019).
2.1.2 Uses of Plastic

Plastics are extremely versatile materials and are ideal for a wide range

of consumer and industrial applications. The relatively low density of most plastics

gives plastic products the advantages of light weight. And, although most have

excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties, some plastics can be made to

conduct electricity when required. They are corrosion resistant to many substances

which attack other materials, making them durable and suitable for use in harsh

environments. Some are transparent, making optical devices possible. They can

easily be moulded into complex shapes, allowing other materials to be integrated

into plastic products, and making them ideal for a wide range of functions.

Furthermore, if the physical properties of a given plastic do not quite

meet the specified requirements, its balance of properties can be modified with the

addition of reinforcing fillers, colours, foaming agents, flame retardants,

plasticisers, etc., to meet the demands of the specific application.

In principle, plastics can be developed with virtually any combination of

properties to accommodate almost any application you can think of. As a result of

these attractive properties, plastics are increasingly being used in different

applications. (Le Gurne, 2018).

2.1.3. Types of Plastics

2.1.3.1. Thermosets or Thermosetting Plastics

Once cooled and hardened, these plastics retain their shapes

and cannot return to their original form. They are hard and durable.

Thermosets can be used for auto parts, aircraft parts and tires.

Examples include polyurethanes, polyesters, epoxy resins and

phenolic resins.

2.1.3.2 Thermoplastics

Less rigid than thermosets, thermoplastics can soften upon

heating and return to their original form. They are easily molded and

extruded into films, fibers and packaging. Examples include

polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE): John Rex

Whinfield invented a new polymer in 1941 when he condensed

ethylene glycol with terephthalic acid. The condensate was

polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE). PET is a thermoplastic

that can be drawn into fibers (like Dacron) and films (like Mylar). It's

the main plastic in ziplock food storage bags.

Polystyrene (Styrofoam): Polystyrene is formed by styrene

molecules. The double bond between the CH2 and CH parts of the

molecule rearranges to form a bond with adjacent styrene molecules,

thereby producing polystyrene. It can form a hard impact-resistant

plastic for furniture, cabinets, glasses and utensils. When polystyrene

is heated and air blown through the mixture, it forms Styrofoam.

Styrofoam is lightweight, moldable and an excellent insulator.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is a thermoplastic that is

formed when vinyl chloride (CH2=CH-Cl) polymerizes. When made,

it's brittle, so manufacturers add a plasticizer liquid to make it soft

and moldable. PVC is commonly used for pipes and plumbing

because it's durable, can't be corroded and is cheaper than metal

pipes. Over long periods of time, however, the plasticizer may leach

out of it, rendering it brittle and breakable.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon): Teflon was made in 1938

by DuPont. It's created by polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene

molecules (CF2=CF2). The polymer is stable, heat-resistant, strong,

resistant to many chemicals and has a nearly frictionless surface.

Teflon is used in plumbing tape, cookware, tubing, waterproof

coatings, films and bearings.

Polyvinylidine Chloride (Saran): Dow makes Saran resins,

which are synthesized by polymerization of vinylidine chloride

molecules (CH2=CCl2). The polymer can be drawn into films and

wraps that are impermeable to food odors. Saran wrap is a popular

plastic for packaging foods.

Polyethylene, LDPE and HDPE: The most common polymer

in plastics is polyethylene, which is made from ethylene monomers

(CH2=CH2). The first polyethylene was made in 1934. Today, we call

it low-density polyethylene (LDPE) because it will float in a mixture

of alcohol and water. In LDPE, the polymer strands are entangled

and loosely organized, so it's soft and flexible. It was first used to

insulate electrical wires, but today it's used in films, wraps, bottles,

disposable gloves and garbage bags.

In the 1950s, Karl Ziegler polymerized ethylene in the

presence of various metals. The resulting polyethylene polymer was

composed of mostly linear polymers. This linear form produced

tighter, denser, more organized structures and is now called high-

density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is a harder plastic with a higher

melting point than LDPE, and it sinks in an alcohol-water mixture.

HDPE was first introduced in the hula hoop, but today it's mostly

used in containers.

Polypropylene (PP): In 1953, Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta,

working independently, prepared polypropylene from propylene

monomers (CH2=CHCH3) and received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

in 1963. The various forms of polypropylene have different melting

points and hardnesses. Polypropylene is used in car

trim, battery cases, bottles, tubes, filaments and bags. (Freudenrich,

2019).
2.2 Environmental Issue Brought by Plastic

Plastics are versatile, lightweight, flexible, moisture resistant, strong, and relatively

inexpensive, the reason why many people opted to use them in their daily lives. For example, in

food packaging, bottle containers and even the packaging of every product we use like

shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste – even our toothbrush are made of plastic. Although

plastic had been very useful and played a big role in our daily lives, there are still issue that

arises due to these products. The reason is because many people had abused the use of the

product. (Le Gurne, 2018).

According to Le Gurne (2018) of Coastal Care, plastics are washed out on our

coasts in obvious and clearly visible form, the plastic pollution spectacle blatantly unveiling on

our beaches is only the prelude of the greater story that unfolded further away in the world’s

oceans, yet mostly originating from where we stand: the land.

For a long time, the production and consumption of plastics globally have continued

to rise. Based on the report of Worldwatch Institute last January 2015, there are about four

percent of the petroleum consumed worldwide each year is used to make plastic, another four

percent is used to power plastic manufacturing processes. On the same report, twenty-six

percent or the total of 6.6 million tons of the post-consumer plastic produced in Europe in 2012

was recycled while thirty-six percent was burned for energy generation. The remaining

percentage went to landfills. In the United States, only 9 percent of post-consumer plastic (2.8

million tons) was recycled in 2012. The remaining 32 million tons was discarded. (Gourmelon,

2015).
 In a report released a few years ago, the Ocean Conservancy singled out the

Philippines as one of five countries from where majority of plastics originates.  Also on the list

were China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

The Philippines generates 2.7 million tons of plastic waste annually and 20 percent

or estimated up to half a million tons leaks inti the oceans. In Froilan Grate’s opinion, executive

director of the Philippines branch of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, the pollution

of oceans is brought by the absence of garbage collection in secondary cities and smaller

islands of the country. (Tacio, 2018).

2.3 Plastic Industry in the Philippines

The Philippine downstream plastics industry refers to the plastic fabricators and

manufacturers which convert plastic resins to industrial and consumer finished products. Main

production processes include film and sheet extrusion; injection moulding; compression

moulding; extrusion blow moulding: injection blow moulding; injection stretch blow moulding;

pipe and profile extrusion; net and twine extrusion; woven sack extrusion and weaving; sheet

thermoforming, printing, lamination, slitting and bag forming; and recycling.

In the Philippines, industries such as the electronics, construction, food, cosmetics,

packaging, and automotive are aligned with the viability of the plastics industry. Having a local

source of plastic materials benefits all sectors with its adaptive, just in-time delivery capabilities,

and more importantly softens the impact brought about by dollar and import requirements.

Majority of the plastics companies are situated in Metro Manila, particularly in the

CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area, while others are from Manila,

Pasig and CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon). There are some in
Iloilo and Cebu in the Visayas, and Davao in Mindanao.he main industry association in the

plastics industry Philippine Plastics Industry Association, Inc. (PPIA).

Through the ASEAN Economic Community, opportunities for the plastic industry of

the country gain competitive advantage in the global market, it is because of the high demand of

plastic that are used for building and infrastructure, transport and automotive sectors.

2.4 Government Solutions for Pollution Caused by Plastics

2.4.1 Peru Strict Single-Use Plastic

On January 2019, Peru started to restrict visitors on bringing single-use plastic

inside natural and cultural protected areas and national museums. The decree’s goal is to

replace single-use plastics with “reusable biodegradable plastic or others whose

degradation does not generate contamination by micro-plastic or dangerous substances.”

This banning was announced as a Supreme Decree by Peru’s Environment

Minister, Fabiola Muñoz, and signed by President Martin Vizcarra, back in November. In

December, Peru’s Congress had also passed a law to phase out single-use plastic bags

across the countryover the next three years. According to Peru’s Environment Ministry, the

country uses 947,000 tons of plastic each year, while 75 percent is thrown out and only 0.3

percent is recycled

2.4.2 SAN DIEGO BANS STYROFOAM FOOD AND DRINK CONTAINERS

San Diego has joined a growing number of cities to ban styrofoam containers.

The ban includes food and drink containers, egg cartons, ice chest coolers, aquatic toys for

swimming pools, and mooring buoys and navigation markers. The ocean-side city is the

largest in California to ban these types of plastics. The styrofoam's popularity beacuse of its

low cos, strength, insulation, nad feather-weight buoyancy made it a scourge of plastic
waste beacuse it easily breaks into tiny, making it hard to clean up and is rejected by

recycling centers. The council first approved the ban on October 2018 for a trial period, but

on January 2019, the ban was made permanent despite the complaints of small

restaurants.

2.4.3 D.C. PLASTIC STRAW BAN BEGINS

As of January 1, 2019, Washington, D.C., banning of Plastic Straw begun. The

law follows Seattle's bn earlier in 2018 and aims to reduce the impact of plastic straws as

litter. A number of local businesses are already starting to switch to reusable, washable or

those made from paper or hay straws. By July, businesses that will be caught offering

plastic straws will receive fines.

2.4.4 AQUARIUMS BAND TOGETHER FOR “NO STRAW NOVEMBER”

On November 2018, a campaign called as "No Straw November" was pushed

through by the leadership of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, comprising 22

aquariums in 17 different states. In connection to the campaign, individuals were asked to

sign an on line pledge to limit their persona single-use plastic. Earlier this week, the ACP,

partnering with the U.N. and European Commission, announced plans to create a global

coalition of 200 aquariums that will campaign against plastic.

2.3.5 EU PARLIAMENT APPROVES SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN

The European Parliament voted 571-53 this week to approve a measure to slash

single-use plastic across the continent. The bill still needs to pass additional procedural

measures before it can go into effect, but observers say its chances look good and could

begin enforcement as early as 2021. The bill calls for a European ban on plastic cutlery and

plates, cotton buds, straws, drink-stirrers, and balloon sticks, as well as reductions in other

types of single-use plastics like food and beverage containers.The bill was first proposed in
 May. The list of plastic items targeted was carefully selected to include items that already

have ready alternatives, supporters say. Items with less available alternatives, such as

cigarette filters, are being targeted for a more gradual reduction.

2.3.6 REDIRECTING PLASTIC STREAMS AWAY FROM THE SEA

On October 2018, NextWave, a coalition founded by companies including Dell and

Lonely Whale, an environmental group, employs people living in coastal regions to collect

discarded plastic, nylon 6 and polypropylene, within 30 miles of waterways to prevent it

from making its way to the nearby sea. The collected plastic is then shipped to

manufacturers who reuse it to form a new plastic. And recently HP, a computer company

will be joining NextWave.

2.3.7 AMERICAN AIRLINES CUTS PLASTIC FROM LOUNGES

Onboard straws in American Airlines will be eliminated by November 1. However,

straws will still be available for those who ask for it, while drink stirrers will be replaced by

bamboo sticks. After the banning of plastic straws and stirrers on their flights American

Airlines, on October 2018, the company said they will phase out single-use plastic in their

lounges. A representative from the company says the lounges won't serve drinks with

straws,

and plastic won't be used for flatware. Plastic water bottles will no longer be served, and

reusable bags will be given to customers taking food to-go. (Howard, et. al., 2019).

2.4 EMERGENCE OF ALTERNATIVES: BIOPLASTIC

Bioplastic represents plastic substance that is based on organic biomass rather

than petroleum. It has been around for at least 100 years. Corn oil and soybean oil were
 both used to manufacture the auto parts for the Ford Model T. It was also used as food

containers, grocery bags, biodegradable utensils and food packaging. Bioplastics can also

be usedfor electrical and electronic housings and enclosures. In short, bioplastics have

made their way into nearly every industry, namely, automotive, electronics, food and

beverage packaging, agricultural, textiles, and health care.

Bioplastics do not contain bisphenol A, a chemical present in food storage and

baby feeding or accessory industries. Bisphenol A has alleged ability to disrupt hormonal

activity. Bioplastic provide a potential alternative to this issue. The manufacturing process

for some bioplastics result in lower greenhouse gases than petroleum-based plastics.

Polylactic Acid is biodegradable and has characteristics similar to polypropylene

(PP), polyethylene (PE), or polystyrene (PS). It can be produced from already existing

manufacturing equipment (those designed and originally used for petrochemical industry

plastics). This makes it relatively cost efficient to produce. Accordingly, PLA has the second

largest production volume of any bioplastic (the most common typically cited as

thermoplastic starch, which is commonly used in food storage bags and food utensils).

There is a vast array of applications for polylactic acid. Some of the most common

uses include plastic films, bottles, and biodegradable medical devices. PLA constricts

under heat and is thereby suitable for use as a shrink wrap material. Additionally, the ease

with which polylactic acid melts allows for some interesting applications in three-

dimensional printing. On the other hand, its low glass transition temperature makes many

types of PLA (for example, plastic cups) unsuitable to hold hot liquid. (2016).

2.5 APPLICATION OF BIOPLASTIC

Bioplastic are more expensive than petrochemical plastics, costing between 20 to

100 percent more. The industrial processes for making petrochemical plastic have been in
place for decades, so the production chain is very efficient. Large-scale bioplastics

programs like Coca-Cola's should eventually lead to similar efficiency.

Bioplastics also have problems at both ends of the production cycle. While

manufacturing bioplastics may not result in the same fossil fuel emissions as petrochemical

plastics, the use of fertilizer and pesticides and conversion of forests to agriculture to

manufacture corn or sugar cane counterbalances the benefit. Coca-Cola has tried to

minimize this impact by relying on Brazilian sugar cane, which is primarily produced on

degraded farm lands a long distance from the Amazon rainforest. Advances in the use of

cellulosic plant products (like corn husks and similar materials) would also reduce the

environmental footprint of bioplastics.

Biodegradability and recycling are problems for bioplastics too. It turns out that

making consumer plastics biodegradable actually has negative effects on the environment.

The first problem is that there are a lot of different types of biodegradability. Some

bioplastics biodegrade with oxygen and ultraviolet radiation, so litter left out in the sun will

degrade.

However, it doesn't completely decompose, the process takes years, and it

releases toxic chemicals. Some plastics are designed to biodegrade when composted, and

this doesn't do any good if the consumer doesn't compost. Only a few types will compost in

a back yard compost bin, in any case. The rest require industrial composting processes.

This results in a lot of confusion for consumers. Worse, decomposition of bioplastics

releases methane, which is a more harmful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
 Worse, it's very difficult to tell bioplastics from regular plastics. If a small amount of

PLA plastic is accidentally mixed into PET plastics in the recycling stream, the resulting

recycled plastic products will have lesser quality and value [source: PRO Europe]. In other

words, you'd have to separate each type of plastic from the other to minimize damage to

both plastics. That also means that sticking with recyclable petrochemical plastics, or PET

plastics derived in whole or in part from plant-based resources results in less pollution and

garbage.

There are exceptions – some deployments of bioplastics have focused on closed

systems, like university or hospital campuses, where the company that provides the

bioplastic packaging also controls the recycling stream. They can recover nearly 100

percent of the bioplastic products and compost or recycle them using the appropriate

method for that type of plastic.

If the production chain is streamlined and progress can be made on the use of

cellulosic plant material to produce bioplastics, then we could see a significant reduction in

the environmental impact of plastic materials. The market for bioplastics is growing slowly

but steadily, so there's a good chance we'll see serious improvements in the next decade.

2.6 History and Most Important Innovation of Bioplastic

1500 BCE – MesoAmerican cultures (Olmec, Maya, Aztecs) use natural latex and

rubber to make balls, containers and make their clothes waterproof.

1862 – Alexander Parkes (UK) creates Parkesine, the first man-

made plastic made from cellulose. Parkesine was a biobased plastic, a bioplastic.

1897 – Galalith is invented by German chemists. It’s a biodegradable plastic made

from casein (milk). Commercial breakthrough was limited for several reasons. Galalith
could not be moulded. Milk was scarce and the development of oil-based plastics were

boosted during WWI. Galalith is still used today to make buttons.

1926 – Maurice Lemoigne (FR) developed polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from

bacterium Bacillus megaterium. This was the first bioplastics made from bacteria. The

principle is easy: when humans eat sugar, they will put on fat. When bacteria absorb

sugars, they will produce polymers.

1907 – Leo Baekeland (BE) invented Bakelite that was coined a ‘National Historic

Chemical Landmark’ due to its importance. Bakelite was a synthetic plastic that was

revolutionary for its electrical non-conductivity and heat-resistant properties in electrical

insulators, radio and telephone casings and other products such as kitchenware,

jewelry, toys and firearms. Leo hit the jackpot with Bakelite.

1912 – Brandenberger (CH) invents and patents Cellophane, a transparent sheet

made from wood, cotton or hemp cellulose. Cellophane is a trade mark and a generic term.

The registered trademark is currently property of Futamura Chemical UK.

1930s – Henry Ford (US) used bioplastics made from soy beans for some car

parts. Ford stopped using soy plastics after WWII because of the abundance of cheap oil

supply.

1947 – Rilsan (polyamide 11 or nylon 11) was patented by Organico. Carmaker

Citroen used it for its DS cars. The brand is currently owned by Arkema (FR).

1950-60s – W.R. Grace (US) evaluates if bioplastics (PHAand PHB) can be

produced from microbes and bacteria on a commercial scale. They apply for several

patents but loose interest because of cheap oil.

 1973 – Oil and Energy crisis because of the embargo of Arab oil producing

countries to show support for Palestine. Rising oil prices and dependence to oil in the

1970s became the driver for the development of bioplastics.

1975 – A team of Japanese scientists discover the principle of biodegradable

plastics. They discovered a bacteria (Flavobacterium) that broke down nylon in pools

containing waste water from a nylon factory.

1979 – Iranian Revolution and Iran Iraq War causes expensive oil prices, huge

debts and deficits in Western democracies. This will lead to overproduction and oversupply

of oil in the 1980s making it less urgent to find alternatives to oil-based plastics.

1983 – Imperial Chemical Industries (UK) and a local venture capital firm

(Marlborough Teeside Management) create the first bioplastics company, Marlborough

Biopolymers. Their bioplastics was made by bacteria and was called Biopol. The bacteria-

produced Biopol could be processed into strips, filaments, chips, panels and powders.

1990 – Bioplastics company Novamont (IT) is established. Novamont is seen as

the Bioplastics industry leader. It’s probably the only bioplastics company who managed to

keep its head above the water, commercially and financially speaking.

1992 – Chris Somerville from Michigan State University reported in the journal

Science that bioplastics (PHB) could be produced  from a plant called Arabidopsis thaliana.

1996 – Monsanto acquires the Biopol business from Zeneca and start using plants

to produce bioplastics instead of microbes and bacteria.

1997 – Cargill and Dow chemicals set up the Cargill and Dow Chemicals joint

venture with the intention to produce bioplastics from corn. The joint venture starts
 producing PLA in 2001. The company was rebranded NatureWorks in 2005 and is the

leading PLA producer.

2001 – Metabolix Inc. purchased Monsanto’s Biopol assets.

2001 – University of Lincoln (UK) researcher, Nick Tucker, was the first to use

elephant grass in the production of bioplastic articles.

2010 – Rémy Lucas (FR) establishes Algopack, the first bioplastics company that

uses seaweed as biomass. Seaweed don’t need fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides or land.

The seaweed bioplastics biodegrades within 12 weeks in soil and 5 hours in water.

2013 – Bioplasticsnews.com is established.

2018 – Arctic Biomaterials (FI) manage to reinforce PLA with biodegradable glass

fibre. Their technology will enable PLA upgrade.

2018 – Neste (FI) starts industrial production of Bio-polypropylene (Bio-PP) for

home furniture company IKEA. Polypropylene (PP) is the second most used plastics after

Polyethylene (PE) with global sales reaching 145 billon $. Neste could replace fossil-based

PP with bio-PP and become a major player.

2018 – Project Effective was launched with the purpose to replace nylon with bio-

nylon.

2018 – First prototype car made completely from bioplastics

2018 – First packaging made from a fruit

2.7 Baong Dioscorea esculenta Lour.

Tugi is a slender, slightly hairy, spiny vine, reaching a height of several meters.

Tubers are 15 to 20 centimeters long, except in the case of some cultivated forms. Leaves
 are simple, suborbicular to reniform, 6 to 12 centimeters long, apiculate, the base 11- to 15-

nerved, prominently heart-shaped, with rounded lobes. Spikes are slender, axillary,

pubescent, up to 50 centimeters long. Flowers are green, about 4 millimeters in diameter. It

is found in thickets and secondary forests. It contains 83% starch and 12% protein and

known to be a source of Vitamin B. Recent studies have suggested antioxidant, antifertility,

antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties. 

2.8 Starch

Starch, therefore, is widely used in industry – and has been for thousands of years.

The scientific study of starch started in 1833 when the French chemist Anselme Payen identified

starch as being composed of glucose units. However, even today, its biochemistry and detailed

structure are not yet well understood. At a molecular level, we know that native starch is made

of two distinct components, amylose and amylopectin, which can be isolated by fractionation

and studied independently.

Both components contain polymer chains of glucose units, but the chains are linked

differently. Amylose is mainly linear, whereas amylopectin has a highly branched, very dense

structure, due to linkage. Amylopectin can contain up to a hundred thousand glucose residues

and is the largest known biomacromolecule.

Native starch granules vary enormously in shape and size (from 0.1 to 200 mm), but

they all have a common characteristic: under the microscope and illuminated with polarised

light, starch grains stained with iodine exhibit a distinctive ‘Maltese cross’, indicating the

existence of some common internal ordering. When granules are heated in excess water, the

polarisation cross begins to disappear, demonstrating that this molecular order is being

disrupted.
 The physical properties of starch – its stability and phase transformations, for example

from starch granules to gels, or from brittle, raw pasta to soft, cooked pasta – are directly linked

to this molecular order. However, understanding the detailed structure of starch requires very

advanced research tools and techniques, such as X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy,

nuclear magnetic resonance and computer modelling.

2.9 Glycerin or Glycerol

Glycerin is, in simple terms, an organic alcohol mixture of sugar and alcohol and is

fully miscible in water. Due to its properties, glycerin has many uses in nearly every

industry. Glycerin is a clear, syrupy liquid with a sweet taste and is extremely hygroscopic

(water-attracting) in pure form. It is produced by the reaction of oils and fats with water, and

is separated and purified to make a high quality product suitable for a wide range of end

uses. It is commonly used as thickening, emulsifier and humectant agent in cosmetics,

sweetening agent, and plasticizer in any plastic products.

2.10 Vinegar

According to the technical regulation for the setting of identity and quality standards for

vinegars, by vinegar or acetic acid fermented it is understood the product derived from the

acetylation of the alcoholic fermentation of mash of fruits, cereals or other vegetables, honey,

mixed vegetables, or, still, from a hydroalcoholic mixture, with the possibility of adding

vegetables, plant parts, aromatic plant extracts, juices, natural flavors or seasonings. The

maximum value of 1.00% (v/v) ethanol at 20 °C and at least 4.00% of volatile acidity (Brasil,

2012) must be found. The vinegar is a solution of diluted acetic acid resulting from a double

fermentation, alcoholic and acetic, of any candied fermentable substrate (Solieri & Giudici,
2008). It is widely used in a traditional food in Brazil and easily accessible, but yet little is known

about its functional properties. This is one of the consequences of the tiny number of

researches conducted on this subject. Europe and Asia are already ahead with studies in this

area, and have interesting results that prove the large

Peeling number of functional compounds
of Baong present
Mix the starch, water,
Collection of Baong
vinegar and glycerin
in vinegars from these regions (Budak et al., 2014) However, in plastic making, Vinegar is used
well before heating
Grating of Baong
to break up some of the polymer chains making the product less brittle.

Collection of knife, Mix while heating until

grater, water and Add Water to the Grated
Baong bubbles appear
strainer for the
extraction of starch Chapter 3
Pour
Materials theMethods
and liquid in a Leave in the mold
container and extract the overnight
Collection of Materials Extracting of Starch
starch Making of Plastic
Collection of Materials
for Plastic Making
Let the liquid settle

Add water to the Grated

Baong and extract the
starch

Let the liquid settle, and

collect it afterwards
 Bioplastic from Traditional
Baong Plastic

Water Soil Air Test Temperature

Tensile
Absorption Degradation Resistance
Stress Test
Test Test Test