Characterization of bioplastic derived from tapioca starch and its degradation in soil / Lela Zaidatol Akmal Zainol Abidin

Plastic pollution is a significant global challenge, prompting the search for eco-friendly alternatives such as bioplastics. Commercial tapioca starch-based bioplastics are a promising solution due to their biodegradability and compatibility with the natural environment. However, the efficacy and practicality of tapioca starch-derived bioplastics depend heavily on their properties. additionally, their degradation in soil plays an essential role in evaluating their environmental impact and viability as substitutes for conventional plastics. This study aims to characterize the properties of commercial bioplastics derived from tapioca starch and examine their degradation in soil to assess their environmental impact. The characterization was conducted using various testing methods (soaking in water, water absorption, moisture absorption, and solubility test) to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of bioplastic samples. The detection of functional groups in the bioplastic samples buried in soil was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. In addition, the degradation of bioplastics was studied by burying samples in soils from two distinct locations, UiTM Campus Kuala Terengganu (5°15'48.5"N 103°09'53.7" E) and Al-Muktafi Billah Shah (AMBS) (4°36'12.8"N 103°12'38.3" E)