Bio-plastic made from Cassava

(Manihot esculenta) starch

Members: Francis Apolistar, Kenneth AMA Computer College – Pasig Campus

Casas, Algem Garolacan, John Carlos
Science Technology Engineering and
Hesita, Regine Beltran, Jezreel Michal
Mathematics
Canono, Kin Eboña, Angel Gomez

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Abstract

This study aimed to produce biodegradable plastic with the use of Cassava
(Manihot esculenta) starch as the main ingredient in making the product. Cassava
(Manihot esculenta) starch is composed of two components such as amylose and
amylopectin. Since plastics are made of polymers, starch is very favorable raw material
in plastic making. Starch is a natural polymer and is biodegradable and used in this
research because it is renewable and cheap. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch was
mixed with water, vinegar, and glycerin. The researchers were limited on using 1 flat
container, 1 tbsp. of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch, 1 tsp. of glycerin, 4 tbsp. of
water, 1 tsp. of vinegar, 1 spatula and 1 baking paper that serves as the container. These
are the only material that the researchers need, to make the bio-plastic. To gather the
needed data, different references were used such as online newspaper and articles. The
location of the research study is only limited to the NCR only. The researchers will not
focus on further research on the current subject. The study will not be dealing with the
commercial standards that are sold commercially. The researchers are only concerned
whether the Cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch. Can be used to produce a
biodegradable plastic. This is important because the number of plastics that we had in
our country alone pollutes the ocean. Considering that the fishes and turtles think that the
plastics floating in the ocean are food. Some of it got stuck on their neck and some are
been eaten which make them die because of its toxic material and ingredients. In terms
of landfill. The commercial plastics that we have now takes 1000 years to decompose but
the bio-plastic take 3-6 months to decompose.

Keywords: Amylose, Amylopectin, Bioplastic, Polymer

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Introduction amount of lipid, protein, fiber and ash.

The starch plays important role in bio
One of the most current concern
plastic forming. Today starch based bio
with the environment is the accumulated
plastics dominates 66% of the global bio
waste of non-degradable plastics. It
plastic market. Starch based bio plastic is
create a great expectation for more
made by gelatinizing starch.
ecological and economically viable
alternative to minimize the environmental
Cassava (Manihot esculenta)
impact. Several materials from
starch is extensively cultivated as an
agricultural resources have been used to
annual crop in tropical and subtropical
produce renewable, biodegradable and
regions for its edible starchy tuberous
even more edible packaging. Cassava
root which is a major source of
(Manihot esculenta) starch for example is
Carbohydrates. Starch is mainly used as
one of the most commonly used
food but also readily converted
biopolymers as food packaging material
chemically, physically and biologically
because it is non-toxic, biodegradable,
into many useful products. Starch is used
biocompatible, low cost, renewable and
to produce many products such as food,
abundantly available in nature. The major
paper, textiles, adhesives, beverages,
component of Cassava (Manihot
confectionery, pharmaceuticals and
esculenta) starch but it may content small
building materials. Cassava (Manihot tbsp. of water, 1 tsp. of glycerin and 1 tsp.
esculenta) starch has many remarkable of vinegar. Next, the burner was turned
characteristics, including high paste on low fire and stir the mixture. Then, the
viscosity, high paste clarity and high researchers kept on stirring until a sticky
freeze - thaw stability, which are paste was formed. Lastly, the burner was
advantages to many industries. Bio turned off and the mixture was poured in
plastics are plastics which all carbon is the baking paper. It was spread evenly
derived from renewable resources. Bio and was kept as thin as possible.
plastics contain both renewable and
fossil fuel- based carbon. Bio plastics are
plastic that decomposes naturally in the Data and Results

environment. This is achieved when Table 1:

microorganisms in the environment
Differences between Bioplastic and
metabolize and break down the structure
Commercial Plastic
of biodegradable plastic.
Texture Transparency Elasticity Biodegradability
Bioplastic
Methodology made of sticky More Less Degrade
Cassava transparent Elastic Faster
Materials:
(Manihot
esculenta)
- Baking Paper
starch
- 1 tbsp. of Cassava (Manihot Commercial Less More Degrade in a
Plastic Smooth Transparent Elastic long period
esculenta) starch
of time
- 1 tsp. of Glycerin
- 4 tbsp. of Water
Based on the data presented
- 1 tsp. of Vinegar
above, the researchers had found out
- Spatula
that the plastic made of Cassava
- Measuring spoons
(Manihot esculent) starch acquired the
mechanical properties of a
Procedure biodegradable plastic. The product also
confirmed its biodegradability in the way
The researchers poured 1 tbsp. of
of degrading faster compared to the
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch, 4
commercial plastic. The bioplastic was biodegradable plastic. The researchers
also exceptional in terms on also recommend to the scientists to have
transparency. a further research about biodegradable
plastics. It is for the component for ideal
biodegradable plastic.
Conclusions
Acknowledgement
Based on the results and analysis
The researchers wishes to
of data, Cassava (Manihot esculent)
express their sincere thanks and
starch is a promising alternative in
gratitude to all the persons who in one
producing biogradable plastic. The
way or another gave their best support
plastic made of Cassava (Manihot
for the fulfillment of this study.
esculent) starch is not only
biodegradable but also has a good Our deepest thank to our Lord
quality in terms of transparency. Among God, because we know that he never
bio-based materials from natural leave us behind and we know that he
resources. Starch is one of the abundant help us to fulfill this study. We would also
raw materials for the development of thank him for giving us knowledge,
biodegradable plastics due to its because without knowledge we can’t
availability in large quantity, its relatively finish this study.
low coat and its biodegradability.
To our loving parents, for moral,
Biodegradable plastics are going to be
financial and spiritual support most
demanded in bulk in the near future and
specially for being understanding.
all the methods of production would be
used maximally. Our warmth appreciation and
gratitude to our mentor, Ms. Maria
Agripina Orgen, for the guidance during
Recommendations our performance of the study and up to
the time this experiment were completed.
The researchers would like to
And with the blessings of the almighty
recommend that we should start making
God, who gave me strength and courage,
and that we should patronize on using
I say thank you all and we love you all.
bioplastic. To reduce the number of non-
Reference: from-plants-better-for-environment-
ocean-plastic/
Duran, K. (2013, August 07) Cassava as
an Ideal Bioplastic Research
What are Bioplastics? (2015, September
Paper Retrieved from
01). Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/doc/158669509/
https://www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com/
Cassava-Starch-As-A-Major-
about-plastics/types-of-plastics/what-
Component-In-Making-Biodegradable-
are-bioplastics/
Plastic

Bioplastic. (2019, February 20)

Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic

Bioplastics 101: An introduction to key

terms in sustainable plastics. (2001,
June 08). Retrieved from
https://www.greendotbioplastics.com/bio
plastics-101-introduction-key-terms-
sustainable-plastics/

Gibbens, S. (2018, November 15). What

you need to know about plant-based
plastics. Retrieved from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/env
ironment/2018/11/are-bioplastics-made-
 Appendices 1

A. Materials

The following materials are used in conducting this experiment

A.1. Baking Paper A.3. Glycerin

Figure 1. Where the bioplastic is Figure 3. Used to make the plastic

spreaded and leaved on to dry. flexible.

A.2. Spatula A.4. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch

Figure 2. Used to stir and spread the Figure 4. The main ingredient in making
Bioplastic. the Bioplastic.
A.5. Water A.7. Measuring Spoons

Figure 5. Used as the consistency Figure 7. Used to measure the

corrector. ingredients

A.6. Vinegar

Figure 6. Makes the Bioplastic less brittle

 Appendices 2

B. Procedures

The researchers conducted the following steps.

Figure 8. Prepare all the needed Figure 9. 1 tbsp. of Cassava

materials (Manihot esculenta) starch was
added to the pot.

Figure 11. Then, 1 tsp. of glycerin Figure 10. Next, 4 tbsp. of water was
added to the mixture
Figure 12. Lastly, 1 tsp. of vinegar Figure 13. The pot is placed on the
was added to the mixture burner

Figure 15. Turn off the heat when it Figure 14. Stir the mixture. Wait until
shows transparency it’s transparent.

Figure 16. Spread the mixture in a Figure 17. Leave for it to dry and
baking paper harden