BIOPLASTICS USING CORNSTARCH AND

MUSA SABA PEELS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

B14 Ramos, John David L.

G8 Caluyo, Yumira Mikaela F.

G12 Fang, Sophia Ashlee D.

RATIONALE:

Looking at our current surroundings, pollution mainly caused by plastic is very

prominent. The researchers of this study had thought to at least change a few things
from what they saw on local beaches, mountains, bays, and small towns. Though
biodegradable plastics were discovered, utilized, and improved, some industries or
even companies don’t actively seek it out or at the very least, invest in its production,
because of the fact that bioplastics aren’t well known to be that durable. Most
products in markets are packaged in non-biodegradable plastic. The low demand
and use of bioplastics convinced them that studies done several years ago had little
impact on their country’s market demand on bioplastics. In this generation, where the
packaging of products is prominent, conducting studies such as this is important.

With starch being a common ingredient or material for producing bioplastics

because of its amylose content, an important form of resistant starch, studies have
found that almost any type of starch can make bioplastic because of that property.
The common most studied starch from what the researchers have found out are
cornstarch and the rich starch content from fruits, specifically the peelings of a
banana, which is very helpful in terms that materials are easily accessible since the
researchers have relatives from the province. The other factor to consider is glycerol.
It serves as the plasticizer and helps in the flexibility of starch-based bioplastic,
making the product less brittle. It also helps in stabilizing the molecules after heating.
Since glycerin is a common food additive, it helps lessen the cost of production for
bioplastic.

In terms of using bioplastic, as stated in the first paragraph, the products’

durability is a common concern. This study aims to test and compare the
effectiveness of the two kinds of starches as components of bioplastic in terms of
durability. Weight pressure tests and drop tests will be conducted unto the products.
These tests would be performed on different ratios of starch and glycerin, with the
main objective of comparing cornstarch and Musa Saba starch. In deciding the study
to pursue, the researchers’ objective is to create an end product durable enough to
be used in the market whilst being odorless for ethical appeal and purposes. The
bioplastic to be produced should at least be flexible but not too soft.

The researchers have personally observed the negative effects of

non-biodegradable plastic on the environment and to those that live here. Only very
little of the large amounts of plastics containing toxic chemicals are recycled or
incinerated in waste-to-energy facilities. The majority of these plastics are piled up in
landfills, street drains, oceans, and other parts of the environment. The goal of this
study is to create and compare durable bioplastics with different main components.
This offers more environmentally friendly alternatives to non—biodegradable plastic.
Bioplastics produce less greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the use of fossil fuel
sources. It utilizes compostable materials that bring nutrients back to the soil. It is
also less toxic and does not contain a hormone disruptor called bisphenol A, which is
often found in traditional plastics. Because of its environmental benefits, this also
benefits the organisms in the environment. Economically speaking, this contributes
to the growth of the biobased products industry and opens job opportunities.

It is important that the safety of the researchers’ health is secure while doing
the procedures of this research. The use of safety equipment like gloves, safety
goggles, an apron, and a facemask will be used during the procedures in order to
avoid possible accidents. The presence of a parent or an adult will also be advised
for the handling of the processes and ingredients so that the actions to be made will
be monitored. Through this, accidents like getting the skin burned from boiling may
be avoided throughout. Other problems to consider in doing the procedures is if the
bioplastic gets stuck in the mold or if it becomes difficult to take out resulting in it
being damaged before testing. It is advised to use oil spray or parchment paper
before putting the mixture into the mold, or the mold itself must be tearable to
prevent these from damaging the product. In the process of letting the mixture dry,
the researchers must have a secure place to prevent the mixture from getting eaten
or touched by wandering animals like cats and birds since the product is made out of
ingredients used for making food. The mixture must be put in a high place where
animals can’t reach in order to let it fully dry without it getting damaged.