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International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research & Allied Sciences, 2016, 5(4):56-66

ISSN : 2277-3657
Research Article CODEN(USA) : IJPRPM

BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC PRODUCTION FROM FRUIT WASTE

MATERIAL AND ITS SUSTAINABLE USE FOR GREEN APPLICATIONS
Jayachandra Yaradoddi1*, Vinay Patil4, Sharanabasava Ganachari1, Nagaraj
Banapurmath1,2, Anand Hunashyal1,3, Ashok Shettar1,3
1
Biomaterials Laboratory, Centre for Material Science, B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of
Engineering and Technology, Hubballi-580031, INDIA
2
School of Mechanical Engineering, B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology,
Hubballi-580031, INDIA
3
Department of Civil Engineering, B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology,
Hubballi-580031, INDIA
4
Department of Automobile Engineering, B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and
Technology, Hubballi-580031, INDIA

* Corresponding Author
Dr. Jayachandra S. Yaradoddi,
Research Scientist,
E-mail: jsybiotech@gmail.com
Tel: 08362374985
Fax: 08362374985
______________________________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT
Polyhydroxy alkonoates (PHAs) or Polyhydroxy butyrates (PHBs) are the bioplastics, they can replace a number of
traditional plastics which are currently made up of petrochemicals. The PHAs or PHBs obtained through biological
origin assures the same commercial properties with the advantage of being completely natural biodegradable. Same
way bioplastics prepared using the fruit waste will also serve as potential alternatives to the conventional plastic
materials. The present research work with emphasis on synthesis of bioplastic material by using fruit waste mainly
banana peel. The polymer produced using the banana peel blended with the glycerol could help in the formation of
plastic having the characteristic features of pliability, user friendliness and strength, other tests like solubility and
swelling studies were conducted to ensure commercial properties of these bioplastic materials, characterization of
synthesized product was carried out by FTIR and XRD analysis, confirms the polymer is bioplastic. One of most
significant result obtained during the research is degradation tractability of the developed product. There were
plenty of reports on bioplastic synthesis using banana peel, however, there are less reports on tractability
biodegradation, thus produced biodegradation tractable plastic could play vital role in the market for the
sustainable use and commercial value added product development.
Keywords: Banana peel, Bioplastic, Biodegradation, Sustainable use, green applications
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INTRODUCTION

The major sources of land pollution include plastics, metal and glass containers, food wrapping, worn-out
machinery, old furniture, garbage, etc [1]. Plastics have become a large environmental problem. America will
produce nearly 25 billion plastic bottles each year. Unfortunately, these plastic bottles along with other forms of

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plastic account for 25% of the total volume of landfills. The plastics in excess produced will be deposited as a
landfill and are degraded very slowly, which can cause the original products to remain in the landfills for hundreds
or even thousands of years [2]. The prominence of plastic pollution is correlated with plastics being economical and
durable, which lends to high levels of plastics used by humans [3]. However, it is slow to degrade [4] and plastic
pollution can unfavorably affect lands, waterways and oceans. Living organisms, particularly marine organisms
which includes both the flora and fauna, can also be affected through entanglement, direct assimilation of plastic
waste, or through contact with chemicals within the plastics and cause interruptions in bio functions of the living
organisms. Even humans are also not free from the hazardous cause of plastic pollution; they suffer from the
disruption of the thyroid hormone levels [5]. Plastic reduction efforts have occurred in some areas in attempts to
reduce plastic consumption and pollution and promote plastic recycling. Due to the use of excessive chemical
additives during plastic production, plastics have potentially toxic and that could prove to be carcinogenic. Some of
the principal additives are used as phthalate plasticizers and brominated flame retardants [6]. Therefore, nowadays
scientists are looking at potential alternative to the traditional plastics derived from petrochemical source.

Biodegradable and biocompatible polymers are nowadays gaining importance worldwide in both basic and applied
research fields such as pharmacological, biomedical and environmental applications [7-12]. These bio polymers
exhibit the characteristic features of highly functionalized globular nature, interstellar polymers exhibit different
properties from those of their linear counterparts, such as less entanglement in the solid state [13], high solubility in
numerous solvents, low melt viscosity [14-17] and fast molecular motion [18].

Biodegradable plastics are of two types; one is plastic materials which will be decomposed in natural aerobic
(composting) process and another is decomposed in anaerobic (landfill) environments. Degradation occurs when the
soil microbial consortia start consuming these polymers and eventual release of monomers to the environment
certainly has less hazardous effects on the landscape. These polymers are either composed of bioplastics (PHA or
PHB) or plastics which are derived from renewable raw materials or petroleum based plastics which contains
additives.

Polymer additives play a critical role in the modern plastics industry in order to overcome the difficulties in
processing, to enhance material durability and which will help product designers to manufacture a pliable, trendy,
user friendly and efficient products. Most of the plastics synthesized were blended with either organic or inorganic
compounds, however the average content of additives will be 20% of the total weight of the polymer. However, the
present study provides some possible methodologies which are very adequate and has potential outcome to check
the quality of product that are produced using the bioplastics materials. The materials which are synthesized using
banana peel is having the properties of pliability, user-friendliness and the most importantly these materials are
degradation tractable.

At present we could see the use of conventional plastic in every corner of the world, but their use rises serious
environmental issues and public irritation because of their non-degradable nature. Hence, nowadays it is
indispensable to have a potential bioplastic material in alternate over the conventional plastics. The bioplastic
obtained will be environmentally friendly, trendy, user friendly and degradation tractable properties.

2 EXPERIMENTAL

2.1 Preparation of Banana Peels

Banana peels were boiled in water for about 30 minutes. Water was decanted from the beaker and the peels were left
to dry on filter paper for about 30 minutes. After the incubation peels were completely dried and were placed in the
mortar and using a hand blender the peels were squashed until a uniform paste obtained [19].

2.2 Production of Polymer

25gm of banana paste was placed in a beaker and 3ml of (0.1 N) HCl was added to this mixture and stirred using
glass rod, followed by 2ml glycerol was added and stirred, 0.1 N NaOH was added in order to neutralize the pH up
to 7. The mixture was poured on a glass petri plate and the petri plate was placed under the oven at 130 0C and was
baked till dry. Later stage petri plate was allowed to cool and the plastic film was scraped off from the surface.

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2.3 Synthesis of plastics was carried out in two phases

In step 1, the parameters pH and hydrolysis duration were changed over a range of values. Each sample prepared
was then determined for its strength. The most excellent method was found to be step 2, where the commonly
available plasticizers were compared. On the basis of parameters standardized the bio plastic material synthesized
using the step 2 and tested [19].

3 CHARACTERIZATION TECHNIQUES

3.1 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

The sample in chloroform was applied as a smear over the NaCl block and was analyzed using Perkin Elmer RX1
FTIR spectrophotometer. The FTIR spectrum of the sample was obtained at the wavelength in the range of 450-
4000 cm-1 [20].

3.2 X-ray powder diffraction (XRD)

To get an insight into the structure of bioplastic formed by using banana peel, powder XRD patterns were recorded
using an X-ray diffractometer (Rigaku, Japan) using the Cu K-beta (30 kV, 100 mA) radiation. Data were recorded
during 2θ range of 10°-80° under continuous scan mode using the scan rate of 4°/min.

4 APPLICATION STUDIES

4.1 Biodegradability

Two 400 ml beakers and 1.1 grams of a preweighed piece of bioplastics were taken, the preweighed bioplastic
material prepared was placed under the beaker containing soil at a depth of 5cm from the surface. Some amount of
water was sprinkled on the soil so that bacterial enzymatic activities could be enriched. These samples were kept in
the beaker for about 15 days and each 3 days of interval we observed the decrease in the weight of the bioplastic
material and results were recorded accordingly, each experiment was done in triplicate in order to ensure results.

4.2 Swelling tests

Swelling study is generally conducted to check whether developed material retains the original properties when it
was formed during the preparations. A preweighed piece of samples were prepared were taken in the test tube to
check the protuberance and other morphological changes, it was carried out on the medium containing various
solvents such as water, chloroform and methanol medium. Where the deliberated samples were kept in the medium
for about 2 hours and the results were recorded accordingly.

4.3 Solubility studies

Two types of bioplastic were prepared and solubility studies were conducted to check persistence of these bioplastic
materials. Samples of bioplastic from banana peel were soaked in sodium meta bisulfite solution and samples of
bioplastic of banana peel which was obtained by a direct squeezing process were considered. All the samples were
cut into small pieces and were inserted into a test tube containing different solvents.

RESULTS

Table 1: Indicated the biodegradability of bioplastic material (both Sodium metabisulfite treated and untreated)

BIOPLASTIC Initial quantity Observation after 3 Observation after 6 Observation after 13

taken in grams days (29/12/15) days (2/1/16) days (9/1/16)
Banana peels 2 0.58 0.52 0.46
treated with
Na2S2O5
Banana Peels 2 0.32 0.11 0.04
untreated

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There was a reduction in the thickness of the bioplastic. The bioplastic from banana peel turned into bit dark colour
and the bioplastic from potato starch became bit soft and also the colour of the bioplastic disappeared turning from
green to slight white.

The bioplastic kept in the beaker were biodegradable (Table 1), as per our results there were reduced in the weights
of both banana peel plastic treated with sodium metabisulfite and banana peel plastic untreated preparations and
these are very much desired properties for the typical bioplastic. However, there is a big gap in identifying the
biodegradable tractable factor in synthesizing bioplastic material, so the current report will be helpful in finding the
possible solution to the environmental tractability of biomaterials.

Table 2: Shows the swelling test results of banana peel bioplastioc and starch based bioplastic soaked in different medium like water, chloroform,
methanol.

Bioplastic Solvent medium Quantity Initial weight Final weight of Difference of

derived from (ml) of the sample the sample (gm) weight (gm)
(gm)

Banana peels Water 20 0.12 0.23 0.10

Chloroform 5 0.13 0.14 0.01
Methanol 5 0.12 0.13 0.01
There is no much change in the integrity of bioplastic material when the bioplastic material which was soaked in
chloroform and methanol solvents. However, there was a slight increase in the weight of bio plastic material when it
was soaked in water has made it a reliable material than other materials.

The apperance of the bioplastic hasn’t changed much, but there is a slight increase in the weight of the samples after
2 hours.

Table No 3: Solubility Test for Bioplastic from Banana peels (both normal and metabisulfite treated).

Solvents used Samples Insoluble Partially soluble Completely

soluble
Ammonia Na2S2O5 treated -- Yes --
Bioplastic
Untreated -- Yes --
Acetic acid Na2S2O5 treated -- Yes --
Bioplastic
Untreated Yes -- --
Chloroform Na2S2O5 treated Yes -- --
Bioplastic
Untreated -- Yes --
Acetone Na2S2O5 treated Yes -- --
Bioplastic
Untreated Yes -- --
Methanol Na2S2O5 treated -- Yes --
Bioplastic
Untreated Yes -- --
Sulfuric acid Na2S2O5 treated Yes -- --
Bioplastic
Untreated Yes -- --
Orth phosphoric Na2S2O5 treated Yes -- --
acid Bioplastic
Untreated Yes -- --
Ethyl alcohol Na2S2O5 treated Yes -- --
Bioplastic
Untreated Yes -- --
Water Na2S2O5 treated Yes -- --
Bioplastic
Untreated Yes -- --

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Na2S2O5 treated- Bioplastic Banana peel bioplastic synthesized upon treatment with sodium metabisulfite

Untreated - Banana peel plastic prepared without treatment of Na2S2O5

None of the samples were completely soluble in the different medium used and these are certainly desired results for
preparation of bioplastics in comparison to the traditionally used and shows the bioplastic materials prepared using
the banana peel and potato starch are stable.

Fig 1: Showing bioplastic obtained after the treatment with Na2S2O5 and untreated bioplastic

Description of the main FTIR peaks in the spectra of PHB from HPA and LPA

Serratia sp. Compared to that of commercial PHB. FTIR peaks of bioplastic from banana peel were observed at
~2919, 1733, 1448, 1375, 1243, 1197, 1119, 887 cm-1for C-H Vibration, C=O Stretching, CH3 Asymmetric
deformation, CH Symmetric deformation, C-O-C stretching, + CH deformation, C-O-C stretching, C-O-C
stretching, CH3 rocking, C-CH3 stretching respectively.

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Fig 2: Comparative FTIR analysis of the changes in the functional groups of Bioplastic.

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Fig 3: X-ray Diffraction graph shows the semicrystaline and crystalline nature of bio plastic material

X-ray diffraction study (XRD)

Fig. 3 shows x-ray diffraction patterns of the bioplastic prepared from banana peel. Bioplastic treated sodium meta-
bi-sulfite (Na2S2O5) X-ray diffraction of bioplastic (from banana peel) showed a high degree of crystallinity in
xraydiffraction pattern. Similar patterns for corn starch with banana pseudo stem fiber have been reported by
H.Hermansyah (2014). The crystalline structure of the banana peel biopolymer was reduced crystalline when
itwasheat-treated at 180 ºC, giving x-ray diffraction patterns similar to that of a typical crystalline material.
Naturalbioplastic (untreated with Na2S2O5) also showed semi-crystalline on its x-ray diffraction pattern, which
confirmstreated biopolymer and untreated biopolymer were crystalline and semi crystalline in nature respectively.

Discussion

Engorgement and solubility of bioplastic

Engorgement and solubility are the main properties to check whether the synthesized bioplastic material is
sustainable or not. If the bioplastic material possesses the property of less or zero engorgement property that can be
considered as excellent material with stability as characteristic features. However, if the bioplastic material swells or
engorge more, than the bioplastic material will be considered as a low quality material. As per the Table 2 we
observed less extent of swell formation in the prepared bioplastic material when they were soaked in chloroform and
methanol containing medium, but swells little higher in water as a medium and this is a desirable result because
most of the additives are prepared by using organic solvents, certainly it will help in stabilize product synthesis and
development. At the same time, solubility is also another important characteristic feature, where it is essential to
have bioplastic material which is less soluble in water than any other organic solvents. Insoluble property of the
bioplastic material in water medium is promising for the synthesis of economically viable product development and
because of the unbroken nature of these biopolymer has made it sustainable product.

Hence the synthesized bioplastic material has got all the substantial properties like biodegradation tractability, little
or zero engorgement and insolubility in water medium makes it worthy biomaterial for commercial viability and use
of fruit waste, a renewable resource will always be the best raw materials for producing sustainable bioplastic
material. However, there is vast scope in this area to work on biodegradation tractability by adding chemical
additives.

In addition to the current research there is vast scope for better understanding of the process involved and thus
improving the quality of the biomaterial. Other inexpensive raw materials such as mango seeds and corn kernels also
have high starch content can be utilized for economical production of these bioplastic products. The present work
revealed the use of only one set of concentrations (0.1 N NaOH & 0.1 N HCl) and varying the concentration of the
reagents may alter the properties of the polymeric film formation. The degradation studies (soil burial test)
conducted is helpful in preparation of environmental friendly product and as they derived from natural polymers,
they can be reused in bio compost preparation. This versatility of bioplastic plays key role in green applications.

CONCLUSION

The bioplastic produced through this method could be substantial and the biodegradable tractability is one of the
main challenges in developing bio plastic material. The current report has made an effort towards the synthesis and
characterization these types of natural polymeric material. Certainly, the research is a long way to go for both
economic and environmental friendly products using bioplastic materials or bio polymer.

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AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to the KLE Technological University, Hubballi for providing basic infrastructure and
internal funds to carry out the undertaken research work, we are also thankful to the University of Solapur, Solapur
and Walchand centre for Biotechnology, Solapur for characterization of bioplastic material.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: We declare that no conflict of interest.

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