ECO-CONCIOUS BUDDY: TARAP LEAVES (Artocarpus odoratissimus) as

BIOPLASTIC

A Research Paper submitted to the Senior High School Department of

Juan L. Gantuangco School of Arts and Trades in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements in Capstone Subject.

Dhen Mark D. Loquinario

Alexis Rowmar L. Ordas

Rojelyn Ramo

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS 12

MARCH 2023
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 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic particles and objects in the

Earth’s environment that adversely affect humans, wildlife and wildlife habitat. It

became one of the most pressing environmental issues, as rapidly increasing

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

with it. Plastics are in expensive and durable. These are the reason why the plastic

productions by humans are very high and the demand keeps on increasing day by

day (Senem Onem Cinar, 2020).

Human activities have the potential to endanger human life and the natural

ecosystems. This is experienced when plastics such as plastic bottle, plastic bags,

etc. are being utilized for packaging, after they are being utilized, it is realized that

they are discarded recklessly without thinking of what the consequence will be.

These plastic wastes litters everywhere when not well discarded/disposed affecting

the wildlife, wildlife habitat, humans and producing chocking, and pungent odor.

Therefore, plastic pollution can affect land, waterways and oceans (Obebe S.B.,

2020).

Productions of bio plastics have an impact to the environment because it

doesn’t emit or emit less greenhouse gases than the traditional plastic. But using bio

plastics has pitfalls. For example, bio plastics cannot be mixed with traditional

plastics when recycling; it has substances that can interfere with the process of

recycling traditional plastics. In addition, it cannot be simply thrown in the compost pit

with other organic garbage; bio plastics cannot biodegrade under normal

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circumstances (Dell, 2010). Common plastics are composed of harmful chemicals

and by-products which are released to the air when it breaks down.

Bio plastics are better for the environment for there is no harm done to earth.

Bio plastics do not have chemicals or toxins in its composition, which make it safe.

The use of this kind of plastic will reduce the country’s dependence to fossil fuel (Bio

Stock Production, 2014). In 1950, the world produced only 2 million tons per year.

Since then, annual production has increased nearly 200-fold, reaching 381 million

tons in 2015. In 2015, an estimated 55 percent of global plastic waste was

discarded, 25 percent was incinerated, and 20 percent recycled. If we extrapolate

historical trends through to 2050, incineration rates would increase to 50 percent;

recycling to 44 percent; and discarded waste would fall to 6 percent (Hannah Ritchie

and Max Roser, 2018).

In the Philippines, the plastics industry is not only vital to the national

economy (contributing US$2.3 billion in 2018), but plastics also provide low-cost

consumer goods to poor and middle-income families. However, a high dependence

on single-use plastics like multilayer sachets and pouches has led the Philippines to

become a “sachet economy” that continues to worsen the alarming levels of marine

plastic pollution in the region. By some estimates, the Philippines consume a

staggering 163 million pieces of sachets every day. Like many rapidly developing

countries, the Philippines grapples with unsustainable plastic

production/consumption and insufficient solid waste management infrastructure.

The Philippines ranks as the world’s third biggest polluter with a staggering

2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the Philippines each year, and an

estimated 20 percent ends up in the ocean. Comprised of more than 7,500 islands,
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the livelihoods of the Philippines’ coastal communities and the fishing, shipping and

tourism industries are especially vulnerable to the impacts of marine debris. (Market

Study for Philippines: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers, 2021).

Understanding the urgent need to address the growth of the plastics industry and

mismanagement of plastic waste. Many efforts have been undertaken to address the

issues of the excessive trash.

Meanwhile, Tarap or Marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) is a famous endemic

fruit in the Philippines and are primarily used for consumption. Tarap is an evergreen

tree growing to 25 meters (82 ft.) tall. The leaves are 16-50 cm long and 11-28cm

broad. Because of the facts presented above, the researcher aimed to seek

alternative way in making bio plastic. The researchers wanted to find a way to make

the Marang leaves useful. The researchers wanted to help the environment by using

the unlimited supply of Marang leaves as the key ingredient of the bio plastic. To

have a plastic that will not take hundreds of years to decompose.

Objectives of the Study

This study aims to seek alternative way in making bioplastic. Specifically, this

study aims to:

1. Make bioplastic using Tarap leaves as main ingredient.

2. Determine the duration of decomposition of Tarap leaves bioplastic.

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Significance of the Study

The result of this study will play a great help towards the following:

Government. To the government that would provide additional options for the

problems arising from plastic pollution. That can produce biodegradable plastics

through this it can increase the employment rate. This can utilize bioplastic of

decreasing the plastic waste.

Community/Country. This research might help to the whole community and

country. Whereby, plastic pollution is one of the huge problems in our country which

is the high rate of plastic wastes in our environment.

Future Researchers. Additionally, the research may also help future researchers in

their endeavors as they study bio plastic and set up ideas for future scientists in their

research on producing bio plastic globally.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

The study is limited to the production of bioplastic base. The researchers

aimed to make a kind of plastic which has Tarap Leaves (Artocarpus odoratissimus)

on its composition. The researchers only produced bioplastic base and nothing else.

The researchers used Tarap Leaves and other organic plasticizer. This kind of

plastic is likely to be subjected to more vapor and more susceptible.

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Operational Definition of Terms

This section provides a clear view of the study in which the researchers define

some terms conceptually and operationally.

Bioplastic. Conceptually, this are biodegradable materials which are from

renewable sources that can be an alternative for synthetic plastics. Operationally,

bioplastics are term use to plastics that are bio degradable and produced by using

biological materials such as starch, cellulose vegetable oils and vegetable fats.

(Atiwesh, 2021)

Glycerin. Conceptually, it is a sweet syrupy trihydroxy alcohol obtained by

saponification of fats and oils. Operationally, it will be use as a plasticizer in this

experiment.

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 LITERATURE REVIEW

Plastic waste production around the world is increasing, which leads to global

plastic waste pollution. The need for an innovative solution to reduce this pollution is

inevitable. Increased recycling of plastic waste alone is not a comprehensive

solution. Furthermore, decreasing fossil-based plastic usage is an important aspect

of sustainability. As an alternative to fossil-based plastics in the market, bio-based

plastics are gaining in popularity (Senem Onem Cinar, 2020).

Bioplastics, which are both functionally like synthetic plastics and

environmentally sustainable, are touted as promising new materials to address these

problems. Bioplastics is a term used to refer to plastics that are biodegradable, such

as PCL or PBS; or may or may not be degradable but are produced from biological

materials or renewable feedstock, such as starch, cellulose, vegetable oils, and

vegetable fats like any other polymeric material, the degradability of bioplastics is

also a factor of their composition, degree of crystallinity and environmental factors,

leading to degradation times ranging from several days to several years. For these

reasons, the development of biodegradable bioplastics has gained attention in recent

years (Atiwesh, 2021).

Based on degradation mechanisms, there are two main categories of

biodegradable bioplastics, namely oxo-biodegradable and hydro-biodegradable.

Oxobiodegradable plastics are made of petroleum-based polymers mixed with a

prodegradant additive that catalyzes the plastic's degradation process. The additive

is a metal salt (manganese or iron salts), which enhances the abiotic degradation

process of the oxo-biodegradable plastic in the presence of oxygen. Presently,

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oxobiodegradable plastics are mainly produced from naphtha, a by-product of oil or

natural gas. Interestingly, the time taken by biodegradable oxo products to degrade

can be ‘programmed’ at manufacture, like the methane or nitrous oxide industrial

processes. The degradation of oxo-biodegradable plastics usually takes months to

years. On the other hand, hydro-biodegradable plastics decompose hydrolytically at

a rate faster than oxo-degradable plastics. These plastics can be converted to

synthetic fertilizers. Examples include bio plastics produced from plant sources (such

as starch), and polylactic acid (PLA), (Atiwesh, 2021).

In a study by Nanang Eko Wahyuningtiyas, HeruSuryanto in 2017 entitled

“Analysis of Biodegradation of Bioplastic made of Cassava Starch”. The use of

cassava starch as the main ingredient in the manufacture of bioplastics shows great

potential. The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of glycerol on

microbial degradation. This experimental research investigated the use of cassava

flour mixed with glycerol plasticizer at various concentrations (0, 2, 2.5, 3%) in the

synthesis of bioplastics. According to the most recent data provided by INAPLAST

(Indonesian Oleafin Aromatic Plastic Industry Association), the annual consumption

of plastics in Indonesia was 4.7 million tons in 2015, rose to 5 million tons in 2016

[3], and is predicted to hit 9.52 million tons in 2019. One remedy to overcome the

problem of plastic waste is by creating an environmentally friendly alternative to

conventional plastics, i.e. bioplastics (biodegradable plastics). The use of non-

biodegradable plastics and biodegradable plastics has been calculated to be 69.1%

8 and 39.1% respectively. Bioplastics are biodegradable plastics which can be

degraded by microorganisms from plant-derived compounds, such as starch,

cellulose, and lignin. Biodegradable plastics have the same functional quality like

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conventional plastics, but they can be decomposed by the action of microorganisms,

which produces water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4). In other

words, they can return back to nature after its use because it can be broken down in

the environment, hence eco-friendly plastics. Conventional plastics take 50 years to

decompose in nature, while bioplastics can be degraded 10 to 20 times faster.

Starch is a natural polymer extracted from plants and can be used to produce

biodegradable plastics due to its eco- friendliness, abundance, and low cost.

Cassava contains a large amount of starch, which can be suitably used for the

production of bioplastics. This potential is a great opportunity to add value to

cassava as the raw material in the manufacture of eco-friendly plastics. In fact,

cassava holds huge potential for the production of bioplastics since Indonesia is the

third-largest producer of cassava in the world. Nonetheless, there has been a lack of

attention and appropriate treatment towards it, and indeed further exploration should

take place. Thus, this paper takes a closer look at the degradation of bioplastics.

Shelf life testing aims to determine the durability level of bioplastics as plastic

packaging. The use of organic materials in manufacturing bioplastics causes low

tensile strength, short shelf life (not durable), and could damage. In this study, the

shelf life test was performed through observation using a camera equipped with

macro lens. Bioplastics were placed in a plastic box with limited oxygen or humidity

of 45-60% RH to determine the damage caused by microorganisms. By doing so, the

shelf life of bioplastics under certain environmental conditions could be identified.

The testing process lasted for 90 days. The results were analyzed through visual

observation. Bioplastics made of organic cassava starch had a low level of tensile

strength, making them ineffective packaging materials. The shelf life of bioplastics

was quite low; it will damage food stuff being packed due to the migration of spoilage
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bacteria to the food. The growth of fungi in bioplastics without the addition of natural

preservatives can accelerate the deterioration of food. A chemical reaction aims to

determine the transformation/change in the structure of molecules involved in the

reaction. The chemical reaction combines elements into compounds, decomposes

compounds back into elements, and transforms existing compounds into new

compounds. The reaction produces chemical combinations to form larger molecules.

The splitting of a molecule into two or more smaller molecules and rearrangement of

atoms in molecules. The degradation of bioplastics is affected by water content,

moisture, and oxygen level. Resistance to degradation of bioplastics made of

cassava 9 starch was strongly influenced by the amount of glycerol used as the

plasticizer. The greater the amount of glycerol was used, the faster the degradation

process (the complete degradation occurred on the 9th day), the higher the moisture

absorption, and the longer the shelf life (in a dry place) would be. Researchers have

developed various starch-based composites for different applications. The present

work investigates the corn and rice starch-based bioplastics for packaging

applications. Various samples of bioplastics are produced, with different

compositions of corn and rice starch, glycerol, citric acid, and gelatin. The tensile

properties were improved after adding rice starch (Nanang Eko

Wahyuningtiyas,Heru Suryanto, 2017).

The study entitled “Bioplastic from Seaweeds (Eucheumacottonii) as an

Alternative Plastic” according to (Valdez et.al} This study aims to determine the

capability of seaweed (Eucheumacottonii) as a bioplastic material on varying

concentrations of glycerin (10, 20, and 30mL) in terms of (1) tensile strength, and (2)

biodegradability. In making the bioplastic, the researchers dried and extracted

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several seaweeds, used glycerin as the plasticizer, water as the solvent, corn-starch

as the thickener, and vinegar to help the starch dissolve easily. After mixing all the

ingredients on a hot pan, we placed them on a flat surface lined with foil as soon as

possible before the product starts to solidify. It took 3-4 days to harden, depending

on how thick the product is. The results in testing the tensile strength revealed that

the less amount of glycerin allowed the harder bioplastic produced. The

biodegradability test showed that glycerin components caused the plastics to differ in

size, shape, moisture, texture, and how fast they degrade, as well as the tensile

strength. However, in testing biodegradability, there is no significant difference in the

level of glycerin concentration. This study presents how the seaweed bioplastic was

created, what it contributes to the community, and how the ecosystem benefits from

it, such as reducing the usage of synthetic plastic

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 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

PROCESS
INPUT OUTPUT

●Collecting, drying and

●Tarap Leaves
cleaning of the Tarap
●Corn Starch
Leaves
●Waterthe Hard
●Removing Tarap Leaves
Parts of the Leaves Bioplastic
●Glycerin
●Cutting the Leaves
●Gelatin powder
into Smaller Portions
●Vinegar
●Soaking it into the
water to remove the
dirt

●Putting 15 mL of
Cornstarch and 150
mL of water

●Adding 5 ml of
glycerin, 5ml of
vinegar, and the
gelatin powder

●Putting the mixture in

a pan

●Placing it on the
stove in a low to
medium heat

●Stirring the mixture

until it reach the right
viscosity

●Putting the mixture in

a flat surface

●Drying the Mixture

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework for the Creation of Tarap Leaves Bioplastic

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 Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Tarap Leaves Bioplastic Duration of Decomposition

Figure 2. Conceptual Framework for Testing the Duration of Decomposition of Tarap

Leaves Bioplastic

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 Chapter II

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter covers the research design, research locale, research

procedure, materials and instrumentation, and method of analysis of the study.

Research Design

The researchers utilized the Pre-Experimental Design: One-Group Pretest-

Posttest Design. The said design is a simple approach to gather initial data about the

product’s performance before and after making changes (Bruner, 2016).

By using this design, the researchers were able to modify and introduce

changes in the creation of the Tarap Leaves Bioplastic.

Research Locale

This study was conducted at Barangay Katipunan, Kidapawan City. The

Tarap Leaves will be collected from the backyard of one of the researchers.

Figure 3. Shows the Research Locale of the Study

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Research Procedure

This part of the study gives information about the materials that were used to

conduct the experiment; this includes the process of how the experiment went.

Collection of Tarap Leaves. The Tarap Leaves was collected from Barangay

Katipunan, Kidapawan City. The researchers collected the Tarap Leaves from the

backyard of one of the researchers At least 15 pieces of Tarap Leaves were

gathered. The researchers collected fallen dead Tarap Leaves from the ground and

gathered them and dried it under the heat of the sun. Then, removed the hard stem

of the leaves and cut into smaller pieces.

Production of Bioplastic. For production of bioplastic, the following

procedure must be applied. To start off, put 15 ml corn starch and the Tarap Leaves

in the 1000 ml beaker, add 120 ml water and various amount of 5 ml of glycerin and

vinegar that act as plasticizers of the product. After that add the gelatin powder.

Gently stir until it mix all substances. The mixture will be poured onto pan with low

heat, continue to stir the mixture until the viscosity increases. Turn off the stove, and

poured on the foil wait until it dries. All the measurements made as accurately as

possible. Surgical gloves and face masks will be worn throughout the experiment for

safety precautions. The instruments were needed for completion of the

experimentation: pipet, beakers, pan, stove or butane, measuring cup, spatula and

glass pipette.

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 Proper Disposal. Tarap Leaves that were used in the study was properly

disposed. Moreover, the materials that were used properly was washed and

sterilized properly. In addition, all wastes were disposed properly.

Materials and Instrumentation

The materials that the researchers used in this study were measuring

instruments, beaker, clear container, pan, butane, glass pipette, spatula.

Preparation of Tarap Leaves

1. Collecting Tarap Leaves

2. Drying the Leaves

3. Remove the Hard Parts of the Leaves

4. Cut the Leaves into Smaller Portions

5. Soaking it into the water to remove the dirt

Production of Bioplastic

1. Putting 15 mL of Cornstarch and 150 mL of water

2. Mix it with the Leaves

3. Adding 5 ml of glycerin and 5ml of vinegar

4. Mix it and put in the pan

5. Place it on the Stove with low heat

6. Add the Gelatin Powder

7. Stir it until the viscosity increases

8. Turn off the fire, then place the mixture on the foil

9. Leave it until It dries

10. Proper Disposal of the Wastes and cleaning of the Equipment used

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Method of Data Analysis

In analyzing and interpreting the data of the experiment, the researchers

utilized Descriptive Analysis. It aims to present a concise and informative summary

of the data, highlighting key features and trends, observed, without making any

statistical inferences or drawing conclusions beyond what is directly observed in the

data (Field, 2016).

By using that method, the researchers were able to analyze the

characteristics of the Tarap Leaves bioplastic as well as the qualities of it that needs

improvement.

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 CHAPTER III

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents the Decomposition Test and results of the data.

Tarap Leaves Bioplastic

Duration of Decomposition

R1 R2 R3

Figure 4. Shows the methods to test the duration of decomposition of Tarap

Leaves Bioplastic.

With the same environment and condition; soil type and depth of soil burial.

Tarap Leaves Bioplastic Depth Duration of Decomposition

Replication 1 1 foot 12 days

Table 1. Shows the Result of Replication 1

Tarap Leaves Bioplastic Depth Duration of Decomposition

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 Replication 2 1 foot 12 days

Table 2. Shows the Result of Replication 2

Tarap Leaves Bioplastic Depth Duration of Decomposition

Replication 3 1 foot 12 days

Table 3. Shows the Result of Replication 3

There were three replications of Tarap Leave Bioplastic, those replications

labeled respectively as R1 (Replication 1), R2 (Replication 2), and R3 (Replication

3). The tables presented above shows the test for Duration of Decomposition of the

Tarap Leaves Bioplastic. The researchers assess the decomposition of the bioplastic

by burying the bioplastic into the ground with same depth of the burial, soil type and

environment. By observing between two days after the latter observation, the

researchers were able to come up with the results. The results from the test points

that the duration of the decomposition of the Tarap Leaves Bioplastic will most likely

to happen in 12 days (approximation).

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 CHAPTER IV

SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter contains summary, findings, and conclusions of the study and

the researcher’s recommendation to the future researchers.

SUMMARY

In this study, the capability of Tarap Leaves (Artocarpus odoratissimus) as

bioplastic, was determined by its duration of decomposition of bioplastics.

To be specific, this study achieved to answer the following questions:

1. Make bioplastic using Tarap leaves as main ingredient.

2. Determine the duration of decomposition of Tarap leaves bioplastic.

By utilizing Descriptive Analysis, the researchers abled to gather the data

needed in this study as well as interpret it. The data gathered were conveyed in a

descriptive manner. To come up with the results in SOP 1, the researchers

concocted and utilized the IPO (Input, Process, Output) Conceptual Framework in

order to produce the Tarap Leaves Bioplastic. For SOP 2, quantitative analysis was

used to determine the duration of decomposition of the Tarap Leaves Bioplastic. By

burying the bioplastic into the ground, and observing when it will be decomposed.

FINDINGS

1. The creation of the Tarap Leaves Bioplastic was done by the assessment of

the aforementioned research design and conceptual framework of the study.

2. The duration of decomposition of Tarap Leaves Bioplastic took 12 days.

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Conclusion

The Tarap Leaves Bioplastic is not yet ready to be an option or alternative

answer for the uprising issue in the number of inhabitants in plastics in our

environment. It was demonstrated in light of the fact that the Tarap Leaves could

frame up a plastic film but due to lack of necessary equipment needed to make a

specific product of bioplastic, the researcher only produced a bioplastic base out of

Tarap Leaves. Although the researchers failed to produce a bioplastic product,

perhaps it heeds other ingredients and processes that can enhance the quality of a

bioplastic to make the mixture stronger and usable.

Recommendations

The researchers rouse the future scientists to accumulate more data with

respect, and patience with the bioplastic and how it will be controlled for it set up the

flexibility and quality. Further information increment titivates the exploration about

bioplastics and may discover the cure to the developing populace of non-debasing

plastics

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