The Production of Bioplastics

from Banana Peels (Musa

Paradisiaca)
Samantha Vhiel M. Vicente
Researcher
 Introduction
Plastic Industry is said to be one of the most important industry inluding packaging, building, etc.
Using too many plastics on the other hand, has disastrous consequences. It takes long time to
degrade which is estimated about 500 years and it will become toxic after decomposed. One of the
main problem in our society is the plastic wastes. Bioplastics produces significantly fewer green
house gas emissions. Bioplastics from biomass sources can be an alternative subsitute to
conventional plastics. And bioplastics are those that can decompose naturally in the environment
and conventional plastics takes a very long time to degrade because these materials do not exist in
nature. This study aims to produce bioplastic from banana peels.
 Statement of the Problem

This study aims to produce biodegradable plastic out of banana peelings

and seeks the feasibility and acceptability of Banana peels as Bioplastic.
Specifically, it aims to answer this research question:

1. Do banana peels as the main ingredient have the potential to be made

into bioplastic?
 Hypothesis
1. Ha: Banana peels as the main ingredient have the potential
to be made into bioplastic.

Ho: Banana peels as the main ingredient don't have the

potential to be made into bioplastic.
 Objectives
This study seeks to achieve the following goals:
1. To develop an alternative source of plastic that is biodegradable and
ecofriendly.
2. To look for the potential of banana peels (Musa Paradisiaca) as the main
ingredient in making bioplastic.
3. To determine the feasability and acceptability of banana peels as bioplastic and
to use it as a subsitute for conventional plastics.
 Significance of the Study
This study will benefit the following individuals:
To students: This study may serve as a guide and reference for the students undertaking similar
studies.
To the community: This study will help them know why this research is important in different
aspects.
To the Researchers: For them to gain more knowledge and widen their thoughts about this study.
To the Future Researchers: The finding of this study will be serving as a good and valid source
of useful informations for any researchers who would plan to make any related to this study.
 Review of Related Literature
Human life cannot be separated from plastics. Almost all objects that are around us are made of
plastics. However, plastics are non-biodegradable, causing environmental problems caused by the
increased volume of plastic waste New alternative for the production of plastic has been studied.
Bioplastics are the plastics formed from renewable biomass and can be easily compostable in
nature. The use of fruit waste for bioplastic production is an potential alternative source for
conventional plastic. Banana peels are rich in pythochemical compounds, anti-oxidant compounds
and carbohydrate contents. Banana peels is widely used in the production of bioplastics because of
its abundant availability, low cost, and its environmentally beneficial features. It also consist of
minerals like calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium etc. In producing bioplastics, glycerol is
needed as plasticizer or dispersants. This research is primarily focused on developing bioplastic
from banana peels as a substitute for the conventional plastics and to prove that banana peels have
the potential to be made into bioplastics.
 Materials list

The materials used in this research study were 60-70 grams of banana peels,
steel knife, blender, three (3)ml of hydrochloric acid (0.25N), two (2)ml
Plasticizer (glycerol), sodium metabisulphite (0.2M), distilled water, petri dish,
glass rod, mixing bowl, oven, Sodium hydroxide at (0.5 N).
 Procedures:
a. Preparation of banana peels
1.The peels of banana were removed from the flesh using a stainless knife. The banana peels is converted
into small pieces. Put the small pieces into a 500 mL beaker.
2.Then peels are dip in sodium metabisulfite (0.2M) solution for 50 minutes.
3. Banana peels are boiled in distilled water for about 30 minutes. The water is decanted from the beaker
and the peels are now left to dry for about 30 minutes.
4. After the peels are dried, they are placed in a beaker and using a hand blender, the peels are pured until
a uniform paste is formed.
 Procedures:
b. Production of Plastic
1. 25 gram of banana paste is placed in a bowl and 3 ml of (0.25N) HCI is added to the mixture
and it was stirred using glass rod.
2. 2ml glycerol is added to the mixture and mix the glycerol with the banana paste.
3. Add 3 ml of (0.5N) sodium hydroxide according to pH desired, after a residence time and mix
the NaOH with the banana paste.
4. Pour the banana paste in the petridish and put it in the oven at 130 degrees celcius for about 30
minutes. And finally, the product is scraped off the surface.