PRODUTION OF BIO PLASTIC FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTES

Abstract

Starch-based bio-plastic “SBP“ films could be prepared successfully by using Un-marketable potato plasticized and banana peel with any polyol such as glycerol. SBP films were produced from potato starch and banana peel past formulated with glycerol as plasticizer by casting method, in which heat and shear stress resulted by using magnetic stirrer under the assist of glycerol obliterate the granular and crystalline structure of potato starch, so flexible films were formed. SBP and BBP films were not sticky and easy to handle with 20 % glycerol concentration. It was found that, blending potato pieces gave a maximum extracted starch value (13.5 %). As far SBP and BBP physical properties, glycerol concentration affected the thickness and density of the films. While increasing the glycerol concentration leads to an increase in the thickness, the density decreases because of the relative increase in samples mass with any slight increase in size leads to a clear decrease in the density. SBP and BBP films 20 % glycerol, the average thickness and density were (0.25 mm and 80.11 Kg/m3) and (0.345 mm and 58.22 Kg/m3) respectively. Meanwhile, for OBP films the average thickness and density were (0.41 mm and 24.39 Kg/m3) respectively. Glycerol 20 % gave the best flexible compact structure SBP and BBP films. At 20 % glycerol, SBP and BBP films showed higher ability to adsorb water. Moreover it has higher ability to degrade after burial under soil within a period of three months (weight loss was 72 and 89.18%), compared OBP films that have no ability to degrade during the same period. As far the mechanical properties of SBP ; BBP and OBP films with glycerol 20 %, the maximum tensile strength (13.23; 1.73 and 1.12MPa); modulus of