Defenition of Terms

Background of the Study
Plastics have become an integral part of our modern lives, offering convenience and versatility in various
forms. However, the proliferation of plastics in our environment has given rise to a growing concern over
their impact on the planet. The escalating environmental impact of traditional plastics necessitates
innovative approaches. Usage of plastics include environmental pollution, non-biodegradability, and
potential health risks. Plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to persistent pollution
in ecosystems. The production and disposal of plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Some
plastics may leach harmful chemicals into the environment or food, posing health concerns. According to
the World Bank, 2021 approximately 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are produced annually, with
detrimental effects on marine life and ecosystems. Also, plastic bags can be seen hanging from the
branches of trees, flying in the air on windy days, settled amongst bushes and floating on rivers. They
clog up gutters and drains causing water and sewage to overflow and become the breeding grounds of
germs and bacteria that cause diseases (Jacobsen, 2016). It's essential to explore alternative materials
and promote recycling to mitigate these issues. With these, the researchers look for eco-friendly
replacements which are bioplastics.
Biodegradable bioplastics can be just as durable as other types of plastic, as they only break down in
specific conditions. There’s no need to worry about a bioplastic container breaking down on the shelf.
The way they biodegrade depends on their intended use. For example, certain bioplastics used in single-
use packaging or shopping bags can be home compostable. Other, more durable bioplastics are designed
to be industrial compostable. Industrial composting is carried out on a much larger scale than home
composting and requires more active management than home composting (Plastic 101, 2022).
Significance of the Study
This study is beneficial to provide bioplastic from indigenous materials, cellulose from Coconut (Cocos
nucifera) leaves , starch from Talisay ( Tterminalia catappa) fruit, and citric acid from calamansi ( Citrus
microcarpa) juice. Since plastic is being a huge factor of pollution, the study aims to produce bioplastic
that is made from natural resources and will help in lessening pollution in the environment. This study
may be considered to benefit the following:
The Environment
This study will lessen the problem of plastic pollution that is causing a damage in our environment.
Additionally, this study sill contribute in providing a potential solution for the management of
agricultural waste, particularly coconut leaves, Talisay fruit and calamansi peels, by converting them into
valuable bioplastic materials.
The Community
This study will provide a locally-made bioplastic that will boost economic oppotunities for the people in
the community by offering. Moreover, this will also give awareness for the community to minimize their
production of garbage in their household and realize the possible outcomes of their actions.
Bioplastic Producers
This study will offer the bioplatic producers more ideas, processes and technologies in producing cost-
saving and quality bioplastics with regards to the increasing consumer's demand.
Future researcher
This study will act as a basis or source of information for subsequent research on the subject and will
provide insight for upcoming researchers regarding this topic.
Defenition of terms
Bioplastics. Bioplastics are a type of plastic derived from renewable biomass sources, such as
plants, and are designed to be more environmentally friendly than traditional petroleum-based plastics.
Bioplastic, moldable plastic material made up of chemical compounds that are derived from or
synthesized by microbes such as bacteria or by genetically modified plants. (Fridovich 2023)
Coconut leaf. Coconut leaves, also known as coconut palm leaves, have been explored as a
potential source of biomass for the production of bioplastics. The coconut palm leaf is a waste product
from the coconut industry, and contains a high concentration of cellulose, which can be utilized to
produce bioplastics (Ramalingam & Sravani, 2020)
Cellulose. Cellulose, a complex carbohydrate composed of a minimum of 3,000 glucose units,

holds substantial economic importance through its processing into paper and chemical modification for
the production of various materials such as plastics, photographic films, and rayon (Petruzzello, 2023).
Talisay fruit. Talisay fruit, a variety of the species Annona squamosa, is a small, greenish red fruit
native to the Philippines. Talisay fruit has a high starch content, which makes it a valuable substance for
the production of bioglass, bioplastic, and textiles. (Singh et al, 2022)
Talisay fruit, like many other types of fruits, contains starch, although in small amounts. This
starch is mostly present in the pulp and less in the peel. Its starch properties make talisay fruit useful in
the production of natural textiles and biodegradable plastics, such as bioglass and bioplastic.
Starch. Starch is a polymer made up of long chains of glucose molecules. It's a storage form of
energy found in plants, but it's not essential for human nutrition and is considered a carbohydrate
(Laccourreye, 2019).
Citric acid. Citric acid serves as an organic crosslinking agent that enhances the mechanical and
thermal properties of the material. Citric acid also has a plasticizing effect, which improves the polymer's
moldability and processing capabilities. Since it is easily accessible from renewable sources, such citrus
fruits, and biodegradable, citric acid is a desirable choice for creating environmentally friendly
bioplastics. ( Sa'adah & Saepudin 2021)
Plastic. Plastic is a synthetic material made from polymers, which are large molecules composed
of repeating structural units. It is versatile, durable, and can be molded into various shapes, making it
widely used in everyday products. Plastic, polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or
shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure (Rodriguez 2020)

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Defenition of Terms

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Background of the Study

Significance of the Study

Cellulose. Cellulose, a complex carbohydrate composed of a minimum of 3,000 glucose units,

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