A BIOPLASTIC PRODUCTION FROM BANANA (MUSA SAPIENTUM) PEELS

AND CORNSTARCH USING CITRIC ACID AS PLASTICIZER

A Quatitative-Experimental Research presented to the faculty of Universidad de

Zamboanga Senior HIGH School

In Partial Fulfilment of the List Requirements in Research Project of Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand

By:

Nur-asia A. Aimuddin

Hameera K. Hatab

Shehana J. Jauhari

Joannaville A. Sadikal

Co-Author

Vella M,
UZ-SHS Instructor Specialist
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The production of plastics has impacted the environment in many ways. It

has a significant use in our lives but as much as it helps us it is also bad for our
environment and to our health as the over production of plastics have led to
global issues such as plastic pollution. Lots of plastic waste has been disposed to
oceans, landfills, and within our homes. It takes so many years to decompose
that caused irreparable damage. For that reason, eco-friendly products have
been a growing demand as an alternative to traditional plastic materials. This
study aims to test the effectivity of citric acid as plasticizer to bioplastics made of
banana (Musa sapientum) peels and cornstarch.

As stated by Natalie A Welden (2020), mass production of polymers and

poor control of plastic products at end of life have led to annual increases in
plastic globally. Their durability and density allow plastic to be transported over
large distances and to persist for long periods in the marine environment.

Mitigating the environmental damage caused by conventional plastics is

the primary goal of the development of bioplastics. Using biodegradable
biomaterials such as banana (Musa sapientum) peels and cornstarch are used in
this approach.

The use of citric acid as plasticizer to banana (Musa sapientum) peels and
cornstarch in developing biodegradable plastics define a significant step in
addressing worldwide issues.

Citric acid is a natural organic acid commonly found in citrus fruits that is
ideal for use as a plasticizer in bioplastics due to its excellent plasticizing
properties, ability to improve the processability of bioplastics, and natural nature.
It improves the flexibility of bioplastics, reduces their viscosity, and prevents the
formation of wrinkles and tears during processing.

In addition to that, citric acid is easily recyclable and biodegradable,

making it a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional
petrochemical-based plasticizers. Overall, citric acid's natural origin, excellent
plasticizing properties, and ability to improve the processability of bioplastics
make it an ideal option for making bioplastics.

On the other hand, Banana (Musa sapientum) peels and cornstarch are
the materials used in production of bioplastic materials. Banana peels contain
natural polymers that can be used to make bioplastics. They are also a waste
product, which makes them an ideal raw material for the production of
environmentally friendly plastic materials.

Cornstarch is a renewable resource that can be used as a raw material for

the production of bioplastics. It is also non-toxic and biodegradable, making it an
ideal option for producing environmentally friendly plastic materials.

The researchers decided to come up with the combination of banana

(Musa sapientum) and cornstarch in the production of bioplastics and use citric
acid as a plasticizer. The reason is that this study aims to determine the
effectiveness of Citric acid as plasticizer to banana (Musa sapientum) peels and
cornstarch bioplastics.

Objectives

This study aims to satisfy the following general objectives set that are
stated below:
1.) To determine the tensile strength and biodegradability of the bioplastics
production from banana peels (Musa sapientum) and cornstarch using citric acid
as plasticizer.

2.) To analyze the effectiveness of the citric acid as a plasticizer to banana

(Musa sapientum) peels and cornstarch bioplastics.

Statement of the Problem

This research study aims to test the effectiveness of citric acid as

plasticizer to banana (Musa sapientum) peels and cornstarch bioplastics as an
alternative to traditional plastic materials to help lessen the production of plastic
waste. This study desired to answer the following questions:

1.) What are the tensile strength rate of the different banana peels and
cornstarch treatment using citric acid as plasticizer [T1(1kg banana peels,2kg
cornstarch,0.25g citric acid) T2 (2kg banana peels,1kg cornstarch, 0.35g citric
acid) T3 (1kg banana 1kg cornstarch, 0.22g citric acid)]?

2.) What are the biodegradability rate of the the different banana peels
and cornstarch treatment using citric acid as plasticizer [T1(1kg banana peels,
2kg cornstarch, 0.25g citric acid) T2 (2kg banana peels 1kg cornstarch, 0.35g)
and T3 (1kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.22g citric acid)]

3.) Which of the different treatment [T1 (1kg banana peels, 2kg
cornstarch,0.35g citric acid) T2 (2kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.23g citric
acid) T3 (1kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.22g citric acid)] of banana peels
and cornstarch using citric acid as plasticizer has the greatest effectiveness in
terms of:

3.1 Tensile strength; and

3.2 Biodegradability?

Hypothesis

This study was tested by a Null Hypothesis below:

Ho. The effectiveness of the different treatment [T1 (1kg banana peels, 2kg
cornstarch,0.35g citric acid) T2 (2kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.23g citric
acid) T3 (1kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.22g citric acid)] of banana (Musa
sapientum) peels and cornstarch using citric acid as plasticizer doesn’t have any
substantial differences.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study benefits the following;

• Environment- To reduce the ervironmerial footprint associated with plastic

production and disposal
• Consumers - Provide benefits by offering a healthier and more environmental
friendly option than the conventional plastics.
• DENR- Bioplastics can help to protect the environment by reducing its reliance
on fossil fuels and help conserve the country's natural resources.
• Future Researchers - This study could serve as a reference for future
researchers who want to conduct a similar study.
Scope and Delimitation

This study is only delimited to the production of banana (Musa sapientum)

peels and cornstarch mixing using Citric acid as a plasticizer in order to create
bioplastic. The research will focuse solely on the tensile strength and
biodegradability, and effective treatment of the bioplastic. In each treatment, only
the amount of the citric acid mixed in changed, the measurement cellulose and
starch that is extracted from banana peels and cornstarch will remain constant.
The banana peels will be chopped and mixed along with starch and citric acid as
plasticizer.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined - refers to as

 Bioplastic – this term is what product of mixing banana peels and

cornstarch using citric acid as plasticizer.
 Banana peels – the outer covering of the banana that acts as a binder in
the mixture.
 Cornstarch – is what acts as an additive in the mixture, making it stronger
and stable.
 Citric acid – is the main plasticizer used in the bioplastic material.
 Plasticizer –
 CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Theoretical Framework

Banana (Musa sapientum) peels and cornstarch are commonly used for the
production of bioplastics due to their mechanical properties. In this study, we will
be utilizing Citric acid as a plasticizer for banana (Musa sapientum) peels and
cornstarch so that we can determine if the citric acid is effective as plasticizer in
the production of bioplastics while helping manage waste disposal at the same
time. This study is supported by the following theories:

A prior study recommended using citric acid as a better plasticizer to increase

the bioplastics' strength. Johari (2016) states that adding co-plasticizers, like
citric acid, is advised to increase the bioplastic films' robustness. Therefore, in
the future, new formulations can be created to meet the requirements for
standard bioplastics.

A bio-based plasticizer called citric acid showed potential in improving the

ductility and biodegradability of bioplastics (Jia 2018,). It has been discovered to
be useful in enhancing the mechanical and barrier qualities of polymers,
qualifying them for use in food packaging applications (Chaos 2018). In addition,
the bioplastic industry's increasing need for biobased materials due to
environmental and health concerns is in line with the use of citric acid as a
plasticizer (Alhanish 2021). To completely comprehend the effect of citric acid on
the functionality and characteristics of bioplastics, further research is
recommended.
 Citric acid is also utilized as a plasticizer for starch films and as an organic
crosslinking agent. To improve its thermal and water stability, it creates hydrogen
bonds with starch. The goal of this project is to develop a low-cost, starch-based
bioplastic that is suitable for food packaging and biodegradable (N. Redi, 2010).

On the other hand, because of their abundance, affordability, and

biodegradability, banana (Musa sapientum) peels are an ideal source for
bioplastics (Vinodh 2021). Banana peel starch can be utilized to make
biodegradable plastic, which is environmentally friendly and useful for many
different kinds of uses (Kanoujiya 2019).

Over 114 million metric tons of bananas are produced each year, and the peel
makes up about one-third of the fruit's weight, according to Putra (2020). This
leads to a large quantity of garbage, with about 57.6 million tons of banana peels
produced annually in India alone.

Banana peels have been studied in a number of research as a possible

source for bioplastics. Rizwana Beevi (2020) discovered that banana peels can
provide bioplastics with desired mechanical and morphological qualities when
mixed with other natural ingredients like potato starch, corn starch, and sage. It
was also discovered that these bioplastics showed no swelling and were soluble
in a variety of solvents. Vinodh (2021) highlighted the bioplastics generated from
banana peels' potential as a substitute for synthetic plastics, underscoring their
commercial viability. The eco-friendliness of these bioplastics was highlighted by
Kanoujiya (2019), who also provided evidence of their biodegradability and
beneficial effects on soil and plant growth. All of these studies point to a variety of
elements in banana peels that, when paired with other natural materials, make
them a perfect source for production of bioplastics (Huzaisham, 2020).

Traditional plastics, while convenient, pose significant health and

environmental risks due to their non-biodegradable nature and the challenges
associated with their disposal (Pan, 2020). These challenges have led to the
 exploration of various recycling methods, including the use of waste plastics in
construction (Raut, 2015). However, the effectiveness of these methods is
limited, and there is a need for more efficient waste management strategies
(Maitlo, 2022).

The Researcher has come up with banana (Musa sapientum) and cornstarch
as bioplastics and use citric acid as plasticizer as an ingredient to create
bioplastics.

Conceptual Framework

Input Process Output

A. Gather materials
needed

Banana (Musa B. Clean thoroughly

sapientum) peels C. Chop banana peels
Bioplastics
Cornstarch
D. Mix with cornstarch
Citric acid
E. Add plasticizer

Figure 1

The Conceptual Paradigm of the study

Figure 1 depicts the input, process and output of our study. The input is
the banana peels and cornstarch as starting materials for production of
bioplastics with the different treatments [T1 (1kg banana peels, 2kg
cornstarch,0.35g citric acid) T2 (2kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.23g citric
acid) T3 (1kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.22g citric acid)] . The treatments
will undergo the process [ A. (A. Preparation of materials) B. ( Chopping and
Grinding) C. (Mixing materials together) D. (Let it cool) ]. The output of the study
are bioplastics..

Justification of the Present Study

This study aims to understand the effectiveness of Citric acid as a

plasticizer to banana (Musa Sapientum) peels and cornstarch bioplastics. The
demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable products, particularly in the plastics
industry, is on the rise (Iwata, 2015). This trend is driven by the need to address
environmental and waste management issues, as well as the negative impact of
single-use plastics (Cruz, 2022).

Research has shown that bioplastics made from banana peels and
cornstarch can decompose at a faster rate than conventional plastics, with some
studies reporting degradation in as little as 12 days (Naing, 2020).

The investigation of citric acid as a plasticizer in banana peel and

cornstarch bioplastics is crucial due to its potential to enhance their mechanical
and thermal properties. Previous studies have shown that the choice of
plasticizer can significantly impact these properties. For example, Chapain
(2021) found that different plasticizers can influence the water absorption and
tensile strength of bioplastics, while Jost (2016) demonstrated that the type of
plasticizer can affect the barrier properties of biopolymer films.

Furthermore, Faradilla (2017) highlighted the importance of the type and

concentration of plasticizers in modifying the properties of bioplastics. Therefore,
investigating the effects of citric acid as a plasticizer on banana peel and
cornstarch bioplastics could potentially lead to improvements in their mechanical
and thermal properties. However, it is important to note that the use of citric acid
as a plasticizer may also have drawbacks, such as potential changes in the
barrier properties and thermal stability of the bioplastics

Sustainable Development Goals (SGD) Target

This study aims to contribute to the achievement of SDG 12 by

developing and testing a sustainable approach to the production of
biodegradable plastics using banana peels and cornstarch, which are naturally
occurring materials that can be obtained locally in large quantities. Using banana
(Musa sapientum) as a material for bioplastics is a contribution to Sustainable
Development Goals (SGD) 12 which is "Responsible Consumption and
Production". SGD 12 is using of the waste in the world which can include using
banana peels waste as material to bioplastics to decrease the amount of waste.
 CHAPTER III

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

This research chapter presents the Research Design, Research Locale,

Sample of the study and the materials, Research Instrument, and Procedure.

Research Design:

This research study utilized a quantitative experimental design

emphasizing a quasi-experimental method. It is a research method that
examines the interaction of independent and dependent variables in order to
discover a cause-and-effect relationship. The researchers will use experimental
research, specifically the quasi-experimental research method, where in it
involves the manipulation of independent variable to observe its effect on the
dependent variable. Quasi-experimental research is a research design that
involves comparison of outcomes, typically between a control group and a
treatment group, where no random assignment is used to allocate participants to
different groups. (Green, S. J., & Kreuger, R. F.). It's worth noting that the
process of selecting and defining the variables did not involve any participants.
This quasi-experimental design offers advantages and drawbacks, as it lies
between true experimental and correlational research.
 The researchers were able to compare the effectiveness of the various
measurements of Banana (Musa Sapientum) and Cornstarch in terms of the
production of bioplastics using Citric Acid as plasticizer. This study aims to seek
the practicality of the different treatments, mainly its success rate in forming
bioplastics.

This study includes the comparison of the difference between the different
treatments of Banana Peels (Musa Sapientum) and Cornstarch in producing
bioplastics. This study used three treatments [T1 (1kg banana peels, 2kg
cornstarch, 0.25 citric acid), T2 (2kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.35g citric
acid), and T3 (1kg banana peels, 1kg cornstarch, 0.22g citric acid)] to see if there
was a significant difference in tensile strength and biodegrability among the
three.

Research Locale:

The variables and samples utilized in the experiment was purchased,

borrowed, rented, and collected at the Universidad de Zamboanga-City Campus.

Banana (Musa Sapientum) Peels were collected at Barangay Tugbungan

where in vendors of different banana-based food items dispose banana peels.

Cornstarch was purchased in the public supermarkets.

The production of the Bioplastic was spearheaded in Universidad de

Zamboanga-City Campus Natural Science 1 Laboratory.

This study took place exclusively inside the facilities of the Universidad de
Zamboanga Senior High School Department at A.E Quadrangle, J.S Alano Street
in Zamboanga City.

Sample of the Study and Materials:

TREATMENT 1 TREATMENT 2 TREATMENT 3
(T1) (T2) (T3)
Variable Quantity Variable Quantity Variable Quantity
Banana
1 kg Banana Peel 2 kg Banana Peel 1 kg
Peel
Cornstarch 2 kg Cornstarch 1 kg Cornstarch 1 kg
Citric Acid 0.25 g Citric Acid 0.35 g Citric Acid 0.22 g

Table 1: Variables and Quantity used in the study

Table 1 lists the various variables and the overall quantity to be used in
the research investigation. As the study contains three variables which are
Banana Peel, Cornstarch and Citric Acid. The Banana Peels that was used for
the study was 4kg, and Cornstarch was 4kg and Citric Acid was 10ml.

Before the mixing of the Banana Peels and Cornstarch, the Banana peels
must be thoroughly cleaned then cleaned peels must be chopped into small bits
to fit in the beaker.

Research instrument:
Quantity Materials Functions
1 Blender used to blend the banana peels and cornstarch together
It helps to dissolve and disperse the components which is
1L Water
the banana peels and the cornstarch.
used to put the blended mixture of the banana peels and
2 Containers
cornstarch
500 cc Will be used to measure the amount of the variables needed
1
Beaker and also will be used in heating the mixtures.
1 Knife Material used in cutting/chopping the Banana Peels.
Chopping
1 Platform where the cutting is done.
Board
 Table 2: Materials and Laboratory Apparatuses

Sample preparation:

The Banana peels, cornstarch and citric acid as starting materials for the
production of bioplastics were purchased at the kcc mall de Zamboanga City.
The banana peels were then peeled off the skin, chop/grind after that mix them
materials together, and allow it to rest for 2 hours. Banana peels and cornstarch
bioplastics by using citric acid as plasticizer as an alternative to traditional of
plastic waste

Sample Treatments:

This study aims to test the effectiveness of banana peels and cornstarch
bioplastics by using citric acid as plasticizer as an alternative to traditional plastic
materials to help lessen the production of plastic waste. Preparation of the
materials, washing the Banana peels thoroughly, chopping/grinding, mixing the
materials together while observing any changes that may happen among the
different treatments, and letting the mixture sit in creating bioplastics.

Evaluation of the Products and Product Evaluator/Experts:

This study will benefit from its Physical Properties, Chemical Components,
Cost and Scalability, Experts Review and Users Feedback. The Researchers
would like to know the evaluation of the product that results from this study.

Statistical Statement

The researchers have decided to use ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) as

the statistical tool, specifically the one way analysis of variance.