Jose Diva Avelino Jr.

National High School

Hipona, Pontevedra, Capiz

Production of Compostable Plastic made up of Cassava Starch (Manihot esculenta)

A Research Study Submitted to the

Faculty of the Senior High School Department
Jose Diva Avelino Jr. National High School
Hipona, Pontevedra, Capiz;

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Subject

Inquiries, Investigation and Immersion (III)

Perlie Ann A. Esmeralda

Mariel R. Marcelo
Ricci Jean Ashley F. Bigbig
Cherry Mae Orocio
Kemberly Flores
Ronie Caballero

January 2020
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents a glimpse of what the study encompasses. Specifically, it covers the

background of the study, statement of the problem, null hypothesis, theoretical and conceptual

framework, significance of the study, scope and limitation, and definition of terms.

Background of the study

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, as rapidly

increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with

them (National Geographic, 2019). Plastic wastes are very dominant in our environment and

these are the side effects of technology advances wherein nature has lack of ability to decompose

what the human creates. Non-biodegradable waste can last for centuries and cause environmental

problems that affect more than just the land. Products that do not decompose naturally may

reside in landfills and take up space much longer than biodegradable materials.

Due to the increasing demand for plastic, from the highly technological fields of

electronics, fiber optics, and pharmaceuticals to the basic necessities such as sandwich wrappers

and garbage bags. This high demand for plastics, however, has been a major contributor to the

world’s present garbage problems.

The use of biodegradable plastics has already started in the United States. Some plastics

use corn starch as an additive. This additive helps in the natural decomposition of the plastic

materials. Cassava is basically composed of starch. Cassava starch is composed of two

components: amylose and amylopectin.

 The researcher aims to develop a compostable plastic made up of cassava (Manihot

esculenta) starch as one of the big step to lessen, if not totally eliminate, this global concern.

Statement of the Problem

Specifically, this study will have the following objectives:

1. To develop compostable plastic from cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch.

2. To determine the properties of cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch as compostable

plastic in terms of (a) flexibility, (b) durability, (c) odour (d) texture.

3. To determine if there is significant differences on the properties of the developed

compostable plastic from cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch when grouped

according to the different treatments.

Null Hypothesis

1. There is no significant differences between the properties of the developed

compostable plastic from cassava (Manihot esculenta) starch when grouped

according to the different treatments.

Conceptual Framework

Accordingly, researchers have identified the independent and dependent in this study.

Below, is the diagram discloses the connection of the aforesaid.

 INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Treatments Outcome
onsists of 37.5 g of cassava starch, 5 ml of vinegar, 5 ml of glycerin, and 12.5 ml of water
B consists of 25 g of cassava starch, 5 ml of vinegar, 5 ml of glycerin, and 25 ml of water Physical Properties
consists of 12.5 g of cassava starch, 5 ml of vinegar, 5 ml of glycerin, and 37.5 ml of water
Flexibility
Durability
Odor
Texture
Biodegradability

Figure 1 shows the concepts presented in this study and the variables that will determine the
capacity of cassava starch as compostable plastics.

Theoretical Framework

A team of scientists in Brazil has developed a biodegradable plastic that could be used

for food packaging or carrier bags, by applying ozone gas to cassava starch.

The ozone (O3) gas changes the molecular properties of the starch from the root vegetable to

produce a bio plastic 30 per cent tougher than those made of the starch of potato, rice or maize,

the researchers say.

The world currently produces around 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year —

equivalent to the weight of the entire human population, according to UN Environment.

Carla Ivonne La Fuente Arias, a chemistry engineer at the University of São Paulo’s Luiz de

Queiroz College of Agriculture, told SciDev.Net: “Our tests indicate that this new technique is

able to generate a biodegradable plastic as strong as traditional ones made of petroleum.”

The ozone gas has also enabled them to improve the transparency of the cassava-based plastic,
according to Arias, lead author of the study published in the International Journal of Biological

Macromolecules.

Significance of the Study

This study is beneficial to the following entities:

Environment. It can be beneficial to our nature to help reducing our waste and minimize

the pollution caused by the improper disposal.

Students. This study will provide information to students about alternative raw material

like cassava starch that can be used as biodegradable plastics. The study will help the students

open their eyes and look at the current condition of Mother Earth the problem on pollution. The

students can apply their learning about creating a compostable plastics, so that they can lessen

the pollution.

Family. The study will be a big help to the family because instead of throwing the

plastics everywhere, they will have an idea in taking care of Mother Nature by recycling the

alternative bio plastics made of cassava starch and reuse it again.

Future Researchers. This study will serve as a backup information to encourage other

researchers to further conduct studies in exploring natural raw materials such as cassava starch,

which can create biodegradable plastics.

Society. This study will help the society become aware of safe and alternative bio plastics

made of cassava starch to commercial polymer plastics.

Community. It can be beneficial to our community for it can create an artificial particle

board that is affordable to all and environment friendly, which can lessen the pollution made by

the factories of the commercial one.

 Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study focuses on the capacity of cassava starch to be developed as alternative

compostable plastics. . The researchers will create a compostable plastic. The output of this study

is to produce an environment-friendly compostable plastic. The use of this alternative

compostable plastic, is only good for dry goods and the usage of this compostable plastic is

disposable. Durability, Flexibility, Odour, Biodegradability, and Texture will be test between

commercial plastic and alternative compostable plastics.

Definition of Terms

For better clarification and understanding of the terms related to this study, the following

terms are defined conceptually and operationally.

Biodegradability- refers to the capacity of a material to decompose over time as a result

of biological activity, especially to be broken down by microorganisms. (Your dictionary.com)

In this study, it is addressed as a dependent variable wherein the researchers will

determine if it can be a possible component to create a compostable plastic.

Plastic- refers to a light, strong substance that can be made into different shapes and that

is used for making many common products. (Merriam Webster, 2019)

In this study, it is the developed product from alternative material, which is cassava

(Manihot esculenta) starch.

Cassava starch- refers to any of several plants of the spurge family grown in the tropics

for their edible tuberous roots which yield a nutrition starch. (Merriam Webster, 2019)

In this study, it refers to as an independent variable where in it will serve as the number

one ingredient in making the compostable plastic.

 Durability- refers to the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage. (Merriam

Webster, 2019)

In this study, it is refers to as dependent variable that will test the capacity of the expected

product.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the review the related literature, conceptual/ research literature and

related studies from internet, books and unpublished manuscript.

Conceptual and Research Literature

Local Studies and Literature

The word plastic came from the Greek word plastikos, which means “capable of being

molded.” Plastics can be as hard as metal or as soft as silk. They can take any shape in almost

any form due to the versatility of the carbon, the most common backbone of polymer chains.

Plastics can be conveniently divided into two categories: semi-synthetic, in which the basic chain

structure is derived from a natural product, such as cellulose; and synthetic, which is built up

chemically from small units or monomers. Despite the various applications of plastics,

drawbacks have been encountered in three major points. Firstly, there are certain chemicals used

in the manufacture of plastics that may cause allergic reactions. There is a need to protect

humankind from these threats. Secondly, since cellulose films are biodegradable, they are readily

attacked by bacteria. Films and packaging materials from synthetic polymers are normally

attacked at a very low rate. New polymers such as nylon, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene

have replaced cellulose, the pioneer plastic material. These plastic materials have become

permanent wastes. There are various methods in making biodegradable plastics. The simplest is

the production of plastic from the extraction of casein from milk. Casein is obtained in two ways:

1) by souring, with the use of lactic acid; and 2) by boiling together with an additive, such as
acetic acid. Starch is a natural organic polymer manufactured by green plants through

photosynthesis. It occurs in the form of grains in many parts of the plant, principally in

embryonic tissues such as seeds, fruits, roots and tubers. Polyvinyl alcohol is a colorless,

odorless, tasteless, thermoplastic synthetic resin. It is commonly used for greaseproofing paper,

in adhesives, in gas- and oil-impervious films and coatings. This substance, although soluble in

water, is insoluble in common organic solvents. Glycerol is the simplest trihydric alcohol. In

commercial form, it is called glycerin. It is a colorless, odorless and viscous liquid with a sweet

taste. It is completely soluble in water and alcohol but is only slightly soluble in many common

solvents, such as ether, ethyl acetate and dioxane. It is widely used in coatings and paints,

pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Plastic production is a relatively new technology. Experiments

are being conducted to relieve the negative effects of overproducing plastics. By changing its

raw materials and additives, commercial plastic may be improved so that it will become

biodegradable while retaining its good quality.

Related Studies

Foreign Studies and Literature

In the past few decades, there has been a marked advance in the development of

biodegradable plastics from renewable resources, especially for those derived from starch-based

materials. The goal of this development is to obtain biodegradable plastics that perform as well

as traditional plastics when in use and which completely biodegrade at disposal. Several starch-

based plastics have been introduced into the market, and are used in some applications now.

Starch foam is one of the major starch-based packaging materials. It is produced by extrusion or

compression/explosion technology. This product has been developed as a replacement for

polystyrene which is used to produce loose-fillers and other expanded items. Another type of
starch-based plastics is produced by blending or mixing starch with synthetic polyester. For this

type of biodegradable plastics, granular starch can be directly blended with polymer, or its

granular structure can be destructurized before being incorporated into the polymer matrix. The

type of starch and synthetic polymer as well as their relative proportions in the blends influence

the properties of the resulting plastics. The last group of starch-based plastics is polyesters that

are produced from starch. The major starch-derived polyesters in the market now are polylactic

acid and polyhydroxyalkanoate. Experimental studies have demonstrated that cassava starch

could be used for making various types of packaging products. As a major source of starch in

tropical and subtropical regions, cassava is a promising raw material for the development of

biodegradable plastics in these areas. This article reviews the major types of starch-based

biodegradable plastics and their relevant manufacturing processes. The research activities

concerning cassava starch in the development of biodegradable packaging materials are

emphasized.

Synthesis

Despite the various applications of plastics, drawbacks have been encountered in three

major points. Firstly, there are certain chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics that may

cause allergic reactions. There is a need to protect humankind from these threats. Secondly, since

cellulose films are biodegradable, they are readily attacked by bacteria. Films and packaging

materials from synthetic polymers are normally attacked at a very low rate. New polymers such

as nylon, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene have replaced cellulose, the pioneer plastic

material. These plastic materials have become permanent wastes. There are various methods in

making biodegradable plastics. The simplest is the production of plastic from the extraction of
casein from milk. Experimental studies have demonstrated that cassava starch could be used for

making various types of packaging products. As a major source of starch in tropical and

subtropical regions, cassava is a promising raw material for the development of biodegradable

plastics in these areas. This article reviews the major types of starch-based biodegradable

plastics. Amylose is a long straight chain of polymer of and hydroglucose units. Amylopectin is

a branch of chain compound, also of anyhydroglucose units. Because plastics are made of

polymers, starch is a very favorable raw material in plastic-making. The study was limited to one

species of cassava, Manihot esculenta. The plastic produced was treated with different amounts

of starch, polyvinyl alcohol (binder), epoxidized soya bean oil (stabilizer), and glycerol

(plasticizer). The finished product was expected to be comparable to commercial plastics in

terms of clarity, reaction to acids and bases, water absorption, tensile stress and tensile strain,

electrical conductivity and flammability.

By changing its raw materials and additives, commercial plastic may be improved so that

it will become biodegradable while retaining its good quality.