Abstract

Pollution is one of the major problem to both humanity and environment, one

of the main cause of it is the use of plastics which take lots of time to decay, but the use

of bioplastics may lessen the number of it to be scattered around. Researchers uses taro

roots and banana peelings as the main ingredients in creating bioplastics.

In testing the tensile strength of the bioplastics, the researchers make three set

ups with two experimental set ups and one controlled. The researchers hang them using

a paper clip and put a weights in it using marbles. The weight it can capacitate was

recorded.

To test the biodegradability, compost was prepared using soil, transparent

plastic cups, tape, marker for labelling and water for the wet set ups. Then each of the

samples was buried in separate compost bins for four days. Every 24 hours, the

researchers observe if something changes in the set ups. After four days, the results

were recorded. After gathering the data, the researchers use t-test to determine if there

is a significant difference between the tensile strength and the biodegradability of the

three set ups.

Set up A and Set up B are both have good results in the biodegradability test,

although they are not as durable as the commercial plastics. Therefore, taro starch and

banana peels can be components for making a bioplastic.

The recommendations are as follow: Make the bioplastic durable and use

materials or ingredients that can make the plastic more durable.

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 Chapter I

Background of the study

Rationale

Plastics are known all over the world. It is used in almost every items that

humans consume every day. Humans chose to use this because it is easy to acquire,

cheap, useful, adaptable, durable and long- lasting. On the other hand, it has

disadvantages and bad effects in the environment and to all organism.

Lots of plastics are thrown away every day, which causes one of the biggest

problem in our society, on how to dispose it. Humans were warned about the damages

it may cause but lots of people still wants to use it. Plastics can cause ozone depletion

that leads to global warming. Oil is used in making plastics which pollutes the air. Why

use non-biodegradable plastics when you can make your own Biodegradable plastics.

Bioplastics took small time to decompose and eco-friendly because of it is made

from biodegradable materials such as plants. All the materials used are renewable so it

won’t be harmful to our natural resources.

Because of these reasons, the researchers find a way to create an alternative

source of bioplastics. Starch is one of the major sources in the development of

bioplastic. Banana peels are one of the most common wastes form of starch, and it

consist high sources of starch which is about 18.5%. The glucose level increases as the

banana peels ripen. However, If the peels are too ripe, the starch will be converted into

glucose, while the least ripened peels become too firm although high in starch molecule.

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Therefore, Banana Peels can be suggested as a suitable source for the manufacturing of

bioplastics.

Biodegradable product is created from domestic biomass material, so it reduces

the dependence foreign oil, providing a domestic solution. The advantage of

biodegradable product is significant and great importance for the future of the planet.

There has been research that indicates that biodegradable plastics can be produced by

adding the starch grains from corn cobs and taro roots. Because of these ideas, the

researchers thought of mixing the extract of banana peeling and the starch from taro

roots to test its feasibility as biodegradable bioplastic.

Statement of the Problem

1. What are the properties of the Banana Peelings and Taro Roots that can be

components for making bioplastic?

2. Is there a significant difference between the commercial plastics and the Banana

Peeling and Taro Roots in terms of:

a) Tensile strength

b) Biodegradability

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Null Hypothesis

1. There are no properties of the Banana Peelings and Taro Roots that can be

components for making bioplastic.

2. There is no significant difference between the commercial plastics and the

Bioplastic in terms of:

a) Tensile strength

c) Biodegradability

Significance of the Study

The researchers believed that this project may help the following:

Environment

This project can be a solution to environmental problems like pollution. Because

it is biodegradable, it may help reduce the harms that non-biodegradable may cause in

soil fertility, water cleanliness, human health, and animal safety.

Community/ society

Garbage in communities may be lessen because bioplastics decompose faster.

Plastic Manufacturer

It may help them to develop a biodegradable plastic and indorse it to the public.

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Teachers and Students

It will give them gain new ideas on how bioplastics will help the environment.

Next Generation

Our environment may be preserved because of this bioplastic.

Future Researchers

This study may serve as a basis for the future researchers.

Scope and delimitations

This research study is specific to the Taro roots starch and extract from banana

peels as an alternative source of bioplastics. Also, this study aims to create

biodegradable plastic, natural, inexpensive and local materials found in the community

like banana peels and taro. Other ingredients like glycerin was used to make the product

more plastic. Tensile strength will be tested by putting weights on the plastics and the

weight (in grams) it can capacitate will be recorded and Biodegradability will be tested

by burying the plastic to the ground in four days and the effectiveness in

biodegradability was recorded using the level of effectiveness. These are the test that

the researchers will use. The research was conducted in Bambang National High School

at March-August 2019.

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Definition of terms

Starch- a carbohydrate that is the chief form of stored energy in plants, especially

wheat, corn, rice, and potatoes. Starch is a mixture of two different

polysaccharides built out of glucose units, and forms a white, tasteless powder

when purified.

Plastics- are a group of materials, either synthetic or naturally occurring, that may be

shaped when soft and then hardened to retain the given shape. Plastics are

polymers. A polymer is a substance made of many repeating units.

Taro Roots- herb of the Pacific islands grown throughout the tropics for its edible root

and in temperate areas as an ornamental for its large glossy leaves.

Banana Peel- also called banana skin, is the outer layer of the banana fruit.

Decomposition- process of decaying or rotting.

Glycerin- A thick, sweet, odorless, colorless, or pale yellow liquid. It can be used as

plasticizer.

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 Chapter II

Review of related Literature and Studies

A. Related Literature

Taro (Colocasia esculenta)

Taro root comes from the taro plant, which is native to Southeast Asia and India

and is a staple in diets there as well as Africa, China, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Both

the big green leaves of the plant and the root itself can be consumed when cooked. In

their raw form, both are toxic (Prakash, 2016).

Plastic

Plastics are (mostly) synthetic (human-made) materials, made frompolymers,

which are long molecules built around chains of carbon atoms, typically with hydrogen,

oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen filling in the spaces (Woodford, 2019).

Banana Peels

Banana peels are the outer envelopes of banana fruits. They are the by-product of

household consumption and banana processing (Heuzé,Tran and Archimède, 2016).

Starch

Starch is the major carbohydrate reserve in higher plants. In contrast with

cellulose that is present in dietary fibers, starch is digested by humans and represents

one of the main sources of energy to sustain life (Carvalho, 2013).

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B. Related Studies

Developing Bioplastics from Starch

In the study of Tabil et.al (2007), starch consists predominantly of two types of

polymers of glucose namely, amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is essentially a linear

polymer of glucose linked together by α-1,4 bonds while amylopectin is a branched

polymer consisting of both α-1,4 and α-1,6, glucosidic linkages, with the latter found

at branch points. The amylose/amylopectin ratio, which is a function of the starch

source, is significant as it affects some physicochemical properties of starch which, in

turn, influence its functionality and eventual applications. The advantages of starch for

plastic production include its biodegradability, renewability, good oxygen barrier in the

dry state, abundance and low cost. In this regard, starch has been used as fillers,

thermoplastic starch (TPS), in the production of biodegradable synthetic polymer like

polylactic acid (PLA), foamed starch and starch-synthetic polymer blends.

Taro as a good source of starch

In the study of Ahmed and Khan (2013), they found out that Taro has been

reported to have 70–80% starch with small granules, because of the small sizes of its

starch granules, taro is highly digestible. Starch is a carbohydrate consisting of a large

number of glucose units joined together by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is

produced by all green plants as an energy store. It is the most common carbohydrate in

the human diet and is contained in large amounts in such staple foods as potatoes,

wheat, maize (corn), rice, and cassava. It is either used as extracted from the plant and

is called “native starch”, or it undergoes one or more modifications to reach specific

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properties and is called “modified starch”. Pure starch is a white, tasteless and odourless

powder that is insoluble in cold water or alcohol. It consists of two types of

molecules: the linear and helical amylose and the branched amylopectin. Depending on

the plant, starch generally contains 20 to 25% amylose and 75 to 80% amylopectin.

Banana Peelings as Bioplastics

According to Manimaran et. Al ( ), banana peelings are one of the wastes that

are rich in starch. The proximate composition of banana is shown in the table below.

Item Content (g/100 g dry matter)

Protein 8.6±0.1

Fat 13.1±0.2

Starch 12.78±0.9

Ash 15.25±0.1

Total Dietary Fat 50.25±0.2

It is a proven fact that starch and cellulose are important raw materials used in the

biodegradable plastic industry. Starch consists of two different types of polymer chains,

called amylose and amylopectin, made up of adjoined glucose molecules. The

hydrochloric acid is used in the hydrolysis of amylopectin, which is needed in order to

aid the process of film formation due to the H-bonding amongst the chains of glucose

in starch, since amylopectin restricts the film formation. The sodium hydroxide used in

the experiment is simply used in order to neutralize the pH of the medium.

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 Chapter III

Methodology

A. Conceptual Framework

Collection Of Materials

Extraction of Banana Peels and Taro Roots Starch

Creating Biodegradable Plastic

Testing Tensile strength, Biodegradability

Collection Of Materials
Analysis of Result

Conclusion

Figure 1.1: Procedural Flowchart

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 B. Research Paradigm

Input Process Output

 Peeling Gating
of Taro Roots
 Grating of
banana peels
Banana  Getting the Comparing, Testing
Peels Starch and Analyzing:
 Drying to Biodegradable
Taro Roots
Sunlight Plastic
 Powderization 1. Tensile Test
 Adding of 2. Biodegradable
Chemical Test
Substance
 Cooking and
Drying of
Mixture

Figure 1.2: Research Paradigm

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General Procedure

This experiment on investigating the taro roots starch and banana peels as

components for bioplastic involves five parts of methods. First is the collection of

materials, second is making the starch and banana paste, third the is making of

bioplastic and last is the testing of the product.

a) Collection of materials

Bunch of bananas were purchased in Bambang Public Market. The Taro roots

were collected at Buag Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya. Glycerin was purchased at Watsons

Pharmacy, Bambang branch. Acetic acid (Vinegar was purchased at Bambang National

High School canteen.

The materials are, shedder, knife, strainer or clean cloth, aluminum foil, blender,

teaspoon, beaker, hot plate, stirring rod, container and oven.

b) Getting the starch from taro roots

2 kilos of taro roots were peeled and grated using a shedder, then it was placed

in a container filled with 250 ml of water. The researchers waited 1 day for the starch

to settle at the bottom of the container. After that the researchers removed the water and

dried the starch that settled at the bottom. The researchers pulverized the starch.

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Making the paste

Bunch of banana peels were cut and then the researchers used a blender to make

the paste.

c.) The researchers put 25 mL of water in a beaker and put it in the hot plate. They put

1 teaspoon of starch, 1 teaspoon of banana paste, 1 teaspoon of acetic acid(vinegar),

and one teaspoon of glycerin, for set up a. Set up b consist of 1 1/2 teaspoon of starch,

1/2 teaspoon of banana paste, 1 teaspoon of acetic acid(vinegar), and one teaspoon of

glycerin. The researchers mixed the mixture until it became gooey, then it was placed

in an aluminum foil then placed in the oven for 3 minutes. After that, the researchers

air dried it for 1 day.

Testing the plastic

1.) Tensile test

The plastic strips was hanged then weights was put on it. The weight it can

capacitate was recorded.

2.) Biodegradability test

The plastic strips was buried underground and the researchers waited 3 days

then the strips were observed. This test was done to measure the time of its

biodegradability.

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Experimental Design

Table 1.a:

Tensile Strength

Treatments Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Set up a( 50%

starch,50%

banana paste)

Set up b( 75%

starch,25%

banana paste)

Controlled

(Commercial)

Tensile strength will be measured by putting weights in the plastics until it torn

apart. The researchers used marbles because they don’t have weights.

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Table 2.a:

Biodegradability test

Treatments Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Set up a( 50%

starch,50%

banana paste)

Set up b( 75%

starch,25%

banana paste)

Controlled

(Commercial)

Biodegradability test will be tested by putting soil (wet and dry) in a plastic cup

and will be observed everyday if the plastics degraded.

The results will be tested using statistical test, specifically t-test, two tailed, with

an alpha of 0.05.

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 Chapter IV

Data Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation

Table 1.b:

Tensile Strength

Treatments Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Set up a( 50% 88g 103.9g 74.7g 88.87g

starch,50%

banana paste)

Set up b( 75% 50.5g 74.7g 49g 58.07g

starch,25%

banana paste)

Controlled 182.8g 109.9g 122.9g 138.53g

(Commercial)

The table shows that commercial plastic has a better result in tensile test with

138.53g. While set up A can capacitate 88.87g and set up B can capacitate 58.07g

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Table 2.b:

Biodegradability test

Treatments Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Set up A Wet 5 4 5 4.67

Set up A Dry 3 2 3 2.67

Set up B Wet 5 5 4 4.67

Set up B Dry 4 3 2 3

Controlled Wet 1 1 1 1

Controlled Dry 1 1 1 1

Table 3:

Level of effectiveness

Extremely effective 5

Very effective 4

Moderately effective 3

Slightly effective 2

Not effective at all 1

The table shows that set up a and set up b in wet condition with an average of

4.67 can degrade faster than the controlled set up. And the controlled set up has the

lowest average which is 1.

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Table 4.a Summary Table (Tensile Strength)

Descriptive Set up A Set up B Controlled

Information

n 3 3 3

X 89.3 56.85 116.4

Variance 426.32 637.245 84.5

S.D. 20.65 25.24 9.19

The table shows that the mean of the Controlled set up is 116.4 which is the

highest mean, while Set up A is 89.3 which is the second highest and Set up B has 56.85

which is the lowest. The variance of the controlled set up is the lowest which is 84.5

which means it has less spread of data.

Table 4.b Summary Table (Biodegradability Test)

Descriptive
Set Up A Set Up B Controlled
Information
Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry

n 3 3 3 3 3 3

X 4.67 2.67 4.67 3 1 1

Variance 0.33 0.33 0.33 1 0 0

S.D. 0.57 0.57 0.57 1 0 0

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 The table shows that Set up A and Set up B has the highest mean in wet soil

which is 4.67, while controlled set up is the lowest which is 1. Set up B has the highest

mean in the dry soil which is 3, while the lowest is the controlled group which is 1. Set

up A and Set up B has the highest Variance in the wet soil which is 0.33 while in the

controlled set up, it is 0 which means it has less spread of data. Set up B has the highest

variance in the dry soil which is 1, while controlled group is the lowest, which means

it has less spread of data. In the standard deviation, Set up A and Set up B are the highest

in the wet soil which is 0.33 while in the controlled set up, it is 0 which means it has

less spread of data. Set up B has the highest standard deviation in the dry soil which is

1, while controlled group is the lowest, which means it has less spread of data.

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 Chapter V

Conclusion

Summary

This study aims to determine if there is a significant difference between the

Bioplastic and Commercial plastics.

The researchers’ Bioplastic is beneficial that will help the environment and this

Bioplastic may lessen pollution due to non-biodegradable plastics.

Summary Findings

On the tensile strength, Set up A and Set up B, t calculated(t=2.53) is less than

t critical (tcrit=2.776) with df of 4 at alpha 0.05, Set up B and Controlled, t

calculated(t=3.38) is greater than t critical (tcrit=2.776) with df of 4 at alpha 0.05, Set

up A and Controlled, t calculated(t=2.07) is less than t critical (tcrit=2.776) with df of

4 at alpha 0.05. The data shows that Set up A and Set up B has no significant difference,

Set up A and Controlled set up has no significant difference but Set up B and Controlled

has a significant difference. By these data, it was proven that Set Up A and Controlled

set up has the same level of Tensile strength, same as Set up A and B.

On the Biodegradability test on wet soil, Set up A and Set up B, t calculated(t=0)

is less than t critical (tcrit=4.303) with df of 2 at alpha 0.05, Set up B and Controlled, t

calculated(t=11) is greater than t critical (tcrit=4.303) with df of 2 at alpha 0.05, Set up

A and Controlled, t calculated(t=11) is greater than t critical (tcrit=4.303) with df of 2

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at alpha 0.05. By these data, It is proven that Set up A and B has better result in

biodegradability test on wet soil than in Controlled set up.

On the Biodegradability test on dry soil, Set up A and Set up B, t

calculated(t=0.5) is less than t critical (tcrit=4.303) with df of 2 at alpha 0.05, Set up B

and Controlled, t calculated(t=3.46) is less than t critical (tcrit=4.303) with df of 2 at

alpha 0.05, Set up A and Controlled, t calculated(t=5) is greater than t critical

(tcrit=4.303) with df of 2 at alpha 0.05. By these data, it is proven that Set up A and B

has better result in biodegradability test on dry soil than in Controlled set up.

Conclusion

By the data, Set up A has almost the same tensile strength as the commercial

plastic, but Set up A is faster to decay than the commercial plastics. Therefore, Banana

Peeling and Taro Starch can be components for making biodegradable plastics.

Recommendation

Use materials or ingredients that can make the plastic more durable.

21
Bibliography

Ahmed and Khan (2013), Extraction of starch from taro (colocasia esculenta) and

evaluating it and further using taro starch as disintegrating agent in tablet formulation

with over all Evaluation. Retrieved from:

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Evaluation-of-Tablets-Made-From-Taro-Starch-

which-is-Extracted-by-Simple-Process-with_tbl3_263237583

Carvalho, (2013) Starch. Retrieved from:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/starch

Heuzé V., Tran G., Archimède H., (2016) Banana peels. Retrieved from:

https://www.feedipedia.org/node/684

Manimaran et. Al (n.d) Production of biodegradable plastic from banana peel.

Retrieved from:

https://www.academia.edu/26126711/PRODUCTION_OF_BIODEGRADABLE_PL

ASTIC_FROM_BANANA_PEEL

Prakash S. (2016) What is taro root? Retrieved from: https://www.thekitchn.com/what-

is-taro-root-229782

Tabil et.al (2007) Developing biodegradable plastics from starch. Retrieved from:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242221295_Developing_Biodegradable_Pla

stics_from_starch

Woodford C. (2019) Plastics. Retrieved from:

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/plastics.html

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Documentations

Making the plastics

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Measuring the materials

Composting

Tesing the Tensile Strength

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Biodegradability Test for Wet Set Ups

25
Biodegradability Test for Dry Set Ups

26