I N C O O P E R AT I O N W I T H T H E

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

BIODEGRADABLE
ABSTRACT
The study aims to produce
biodegradable plastic using cassava starch
as its main product.
Cassava starch was mixed with water,

PLASTIC FROM
epoxydized soya bean oil (ESBO), glycerol,
and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The mixture
was then compressed and tested.
Three preparations were made from

CASSAVA
the mixture.

Preparation I:
50 grams starch

(Manihot esculenta)
50 grams water
50 grams PVA
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol

STARCH
Preparation II:
65 grams starch
65 grams water
50 grams PVA
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol

Preparation III:
80 grams starch
80 grams water
50 grams PVA
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol

The first preparation exhibited the

most desirable mechanical properties. The
material produced was proven to be
biodegradable.

INTRODUCTION
There is an 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 researches
aimed at developing biodegradable plastics
is one big step to lessen, if not totally
eliminate, this global concern.

16 SOPHOMORE
 The use of biodegradable plastics has
already started in the United States. Some
plastics use cornstarch 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.
Amylose is a long straight chain of polymer
of anhydroglucose 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.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The word plastic came from the
Greek word plastikos, whih 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 grease-
proofing 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.
METHODOLOGY
In order to determine the right
combination, three batches with different
proportions were prepared.
SOPHOMORE
Batch I:
50 grams PVA (1:4 ratio of PVA
to water)
50 grams water
50 grams starch
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol
Batch II:
50 grams PVA (1:4 ratio of PVA
to water)
65 grams water
65 grams starch
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol
Batch III:
50 grams PVA (1:4 ratio of PVA
to water)
80 grams water
80 grams starch
2.5 grams ESBO
2.5 grams glycerol
Measured amounts of water and
starch were mixed and boiled, using a hot
plate (at 80 degrees Centigrade), until a
sticky paste was formed. After removing
the starch-water mixture from the hot plate,
the rest of the materials were added.
After mixing all the materials, the
mixture was passed through a roll-mill with
a temperature of 118 degrees to 120 degrees
Centigrade. Then, it was compressed, using
a compressor with a temperature of
130 degrees Centigrade for seven minutes.
The samples produced were cut into
1-inch-by-2-inch strips for testing.
Several tests were conducted to
determine the mechanical properties of the
samples.
The plastics were inspected to
determine their opacity, translucency and
transparency.
To determine the effects of strong
acids, the plastic strips were immersed in
concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCI) for
30 minutes. Changes in length, width and
appearance were noted. A tensile test was
also conducted. Strips were hooked to a
spring balance and were pulled until they
17

tore apart. The readings on the balance when
the strips broke were recorded. To test the
samples for flammability, strips with the
same dimensions were burned using Bunsen
burners. Burning time was noted. An organic
solvent test was also conducted by
immersing the material in ethanol for
48 hours. Changes in length, width and
appearance were also noted.
The samples underwent
biodegradability tests. The strips were
stapled to a piece of cardboard and buried in
a can of soil. They were unearthed after a
week. Their final dimensions were recorded.
To determine the effects of water, the samples
were immersed in a bottle of chlorinated
water. The bottle was sealed so as to isolate
its contents from the external environment.
After a week, their final dimensions were
noted. In conducting the air test, the strips
were exposed to open air for a week. Changes
in the dimensions were also noted.
RESULTSAND DISCUSSIONS
The quality of plastic produced
greatly depends on the proportion of
additives used. Any difference in the
formulation may bring about changes in
terms of flexibility, color, transparency and
texture. The difference in the amount of
starch had an effect in the texture and
transparency of the samples (see Table 1).
The different proportions were formulated
to test which of the samples from the
different formulations would exhibit the best
properties. The rest of the formula were kept
at a constant amount to test the effect of
variations in starch content.
Commercial plastic served as the
control. All the preparations, except for
Preparation I which is the only sample that
underwent the Tensile Stress Test, were
subjected to the same tests. The tests were
conducted to find out which among the
samples is comparable with the control.
The strong acids had unfavorable
effects on the samples, unlike the control
which did not manifest any change.
18 SOPHOMORE
It was observed in the strong base SUMMARYAND CONCLUSIONS
test that instead of being dissolved, the Favorable results were obtained in
samples absorbed the liquid. No significant the Strong Acid Test, Strong Base Test, and
difference was observed in the dimensions Flammability Test. The samples were found
of the three preparations and the control. to be water-soluble. However, the samples
When tested for flammability, the would not dissolve in ethanol, an organic
samples completely burned. It was also solvent.
observed that the samples produced resisted All samples were biodegradable.
heat better since they took longer to burn.
The soil biodegradability test showed RECOMMENDATIONS
that there was a significant reduction in the The samples dissolved in water
size of the samples when buried in the soil because the binder (PVA) used is water-
for a week. soluble. In order to solve this problem, an
The samples dissolved in water. This alternate binder may be used. A water-proof,
may be because the binder (PVA) used is biodegradable coating may be used to solve
water-soluble. However, the samples would this problem. Antioxidants may also be used
not dissolve in ethanol since the binder to make the product more transparent.
(PVA) used is insoluble to organic solvents.
Exposure to air did not have any
effect on the samples.
TESTING RESULTS
TABLE 1. TEXTURE
PREPARATION REPLICATE DESCRIPTION
I 1 smooth, translucent
2 with air bubbles,
slightly rough
3 with air bubbles,
slightly rough
II 1 slightly rough
2 translucent, and
3 thicker than Prep. I
III 1 thickest of the three preps.,
2 yellowish,
3 and a bit opaque
control 1 smooth, translucent
(polyethylene plastic) 2 smooth, translucent
3 smooth, translucent
Researchers:
Note:
Leah Dolly Girao No part of this article may be used or reproduced in
Rolando Giancarlo Inciong any form whatsoever without written permission
Emanuelle Jacinto from the Philippine Science High School, Diliman,
Bambii Joanne Magbuhat Quezon City, except in the case of brief citation as
Sherwin Louie Sayson embodied in the laws of scientific articles and reviews.