Preparation of starch based bioplastics from local tapioca with plasticizer and filler / Fatin Eryna Safiah Mohd Jefri

Plastic is significantly applied in a variety of industries, including packaging, construction, electronics, aircraft, and transportation. However, plastic trash has become a significant environmental concern and can contribute to pollution. use bioplastics in place of synthetic plastic derived from petrochemical sources. Bioplastics have various advantages over conventional plastics, including a lower carbon footprint, increased energy efficiency, increased biodegradability, and increased flexibility. Starch is a viable substitute for conventional polymers among the available materials. This is because it is abundant in nature, inexpensive, non-toxic, renewable, biocompatible, and suitable for making films. In this research, a starch-based bioplastic was made using the casting method from local tapioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), glycerol, and sorbitol as plasticizers, and wood dust powder as filler. The optimum condition for synthesizing starch-based bioplastics with the minimum moisture content were then determined using a three-level Box-Behnken Design (BBD) as the Design of Experiment (DOE). Starch, plasticizer, and filler were significant study parameters. The prepared bioplastic was placed in distilled water for 24 hours and weighed to determine the percentage water absorption. Using Design Expert Software, the statistical analysis was carried out. Starch-based bioplastics also possess many possibilities for application as biodegradable polymers, which will help to protect the environment.