BANANA PEELINGS AS AN ALTERNATIVE IN MAKING BIOPLASTIC

A Research Paper Presented to the Faculty of

AGUSAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School Department,
Butuan City, Philippines

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

Research Capstone

by

Kerstine Kyra Amamangpang

Nick Anthony Burias
Miguel Louise Balane
Sheila Mae Jarencio
Pia Monique Sarmiento
Gian Hedrick Nonan

October, 2018
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Background of The Study

Banana also known as “Musa Paradiasca” is one of the

most common plant in tropical and subtropical countries. It
is a food that has a major source of different vitamins and
minerals like potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus,
carbohydrates, starch, other dietary fibers, and some healthy
ingredients. Banana is the second largest produced fruit in
India. A study mad by a University of Leeds states that
increasing the consumption of fibre-rich foods such as
bananas can lower the risk of both cardiovascular disease and
coronary heart disease. It also helps in regulating heartbeat
and blood pressure; It contributes to the improvement of one’s
digestive health. Starch is a major component of a green ripe
banana. It has long chain of molecules that are covalently
bonded. This starch undergoes several changes during
ripening. When the starch is susceptible to the action of
amylase, it is called digestible starch. However, when it is
amylase-resistant it is referred to as RS. Starch can be
classifies as rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and slowly
digestible starch (SDS)(Englyst, et. al).

Plastic industry is considered one of the most important

industries because this is an important factor in making some
useful products like sheets, tubes, slabs, etc. However, this
causes environmental pollution and it causes having more
waste in our environment. Nowadays, then abundance of use of
plastics are evident and this leads to have a negative impact
on our environment. Since this is non-biodegradable it will
need a longer time for it to decay and it also contains
chemicals which can harm us. In contrast, we can be able to
do something to help our environment. One way is creating
bioplastics out of fruit wastes, like bananas and potatoes.
Bioplastics can be defined as plastics made of biomass and
biodegradable materials. It can replace petroleum-based
plastics and it is believed to be a successful solution to
increase the efficiency of plastic industry.

The main advantage of bioplastics over conventional

plastics is that they degrade into environment without
creating any pollution. Biodegradable plastics can be reused
more efficiently and this doesn’t have any chemicals or toxins
which are safer. Banana by-products have been used for
wrapping foods, clothes, and used in various ceremonial
occasions and it expands to cultural diversification.
(Kenedy, 2009). Numerous studies have been done to improve
the usage of banana by-products to meet the escalating demand
of raw materials supply in various industries. (Clarke et,
al. 2008).

This study aims to produce bioplastics by using the

starch from banana peels. It will provide another new ideas
and innovations which will help to the improvement of our
environment such as the reduction of plastics and other
existing wastes.
Research Objectives

This study intends to present that banana peelings can

be an alternative in making bioplastics. It aims to lessen
the effects of stored plastics everywhere. It aims to make an
eco-friendly product and to reduce the plastics in dumpsites.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to differentiate the extent of the using

polyethylene plastic and bio plastics. The researcher seeks
to answer what is the level of following?

1. Is there a significant difference in terms of strength

from the produced bioplastic from banana peels and
polyethylene plastic?
2. Is there a significant difference on the produced
bioplastic from banana and polyethylene plastic when
it comes to elongation?

Statement of Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant difference between bio

plastic from banana peels and polyethylene plastics.
Theoretical Framework

This Study first came to be in 1850’s by a British

chemist who created plastics from cellulose, a derivative of
wood pulp. This situated on a bioplastic’s product
relationship theory by Tonuk, D (2016) where in the design of
making bioplastic’s are highly beneficial for its various
uses which could replace conventional plastics.

Conceptual Framework

The independent variable of the study refers to the

banana peels, which is rich in starch. Starch then will be
extracted will be one of the main ingredient in making the
bioplastic possible. The sample from the product together
with a sample polyethylene plastic will then be examined to
its use. From strength tests to the extent of its elongation.
The data which will be gathered will determine whether there
is a significant difference in the bioplastic from banana and
polyethylene plastic
Research Paradigm

Independent Intervening Dependent

Variable Variable Variable

Banana Peelings Amount of Bioplastic’s

Starch used in Strength
making the
Bioplastic Bioplastic’s
Elasticity

Figure 1- Research Paradigm Showing the Interplay between

the Independent and Dependent Variables of the Study
Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study focuses on making bioplastics out of banana

peel. The resources and materials that are very convenient
and available will be used by the researchers while in the
process of making the study it will be gathered from the
public market of Butuan City. The study will be conducted in
Butuan City.

Significance of The Study

The importance of the study are the following:

The companies whose main ingredient of their

products is banana will really benefit from this study
because now they can be able to use bio-plastic out of
banana peels and not throw it away. They can also
improve and produce more bioplastics.

This study will inform many people that they can

help minimize the pollution by the utilizing banana
peelings in making Bioplastics. This can also create new
job opportunities.

Students can also benefit from this study because

this gives them idea on producing bioplastics out from
banana peelings.
 For future researchers, this study will benefit
them for the methods of the study will be a guide for
their future research.

Definition of Terms

Banana peel. Refers to the soft outer covering of

a banana where the main ingredient-starch will be extracted
from.

Biodegradable. Refers to the waste that is easy to decay.

Bioplastic. Refers to the product which acts like

plastic but is made from biodegradable materials such as;
banana peels.

Non-biodegradable Plastics. Refers to the waste that

takes longer period of time to decay which contains chemicals.

Polyethylene. A tough, light, flexible synthetic resin

made by polymerizing ethylene, chiefly used for plastic bags,
food containers, and other packaging.
 Product. Refers to the bioplastic which is made from
Banana Peels.

Review of Literature

Bio-based polymer composites have been the topics of

some different scientific research projects and as well as

commercial programs. Due to growing environmental and social

concern, the rate of depletion of petroleum resources and the

creation of environmental regulations have forced the search

for alternative composites and green materials that are

compatible to use with the environment.

Beyond the limited scope of natural polymers,

conversions in bio-refineries and chemical carbon dioxide

fixation are created with highly effective tailoring,

processing and recycling of polymers. “Green monomers” made

from bio-refineries, and “renewable oil”, created from bio

wastes and plastics’, makes synthetic polymers renewable

without ruining their property profiles and recycling.

(Mülhaupt, 2013)

These days, people are becoming more aware about the

harmful effects of petrochemical derived plastic materials in

the environment. Researchers have conducted numerous

researches for handling plastic waste on earth by finding

eco-friendly substitute to plastics. This ecofriendly

substitute is called bioplastics, which are disposed in

environment and can easily degenerate through the enzymatic

actions of microorganisms. The degradation of bioplastics

give increase to carbon dioxide, water, methane, humic matter

and several other natural substances which can be easily

eliminated (Azios, 2007).

Plastics are used in almost every place such as, in

routine house hold packaging material, in bottles, cell

phones, printers etc. It is also developed by manufacturing

industries ranging from pharmaceutical to automobiles. They

are useful as synthetic polymer because their structure can

be chemically manipulated to a number of strengths and shapes

to obtain higher molecular weight, low reactivity and long

durable substances. Plastics are significant material as they

are durable and cost efficient to everyone. Plastics have

developed a large environmental problem. Plastics that do

residue in landfills degenerate very gradually, which can

cause the original products to remain in our landfills for

hundreds or even thousands of years (Unmar and Mohee, 2008).

 Due to the motives of both strategic nature and

environmental, the interest in the development of

biodegradable was noticed few years ago (Zhang et al., 2000;

Demirbas, 2007; Gross and Kalra, 2002). In fact, in order to

lessen the environmental impact of plastics some of the

products were obtained from agriculture such as starch,

cellulose, wood and sugar are used as raw materials. In this

method of procedure, the net balance of carbon dioxide is

significantly reduced, since the carbon dioxide released

throughout the production, utilization and disposal of

plastics is balanced by the carbon consumed during the growth

cycle of plant. In addition, petroleum, with continuously

increasing price, is being replaced by renewable raw

materials obtained from plants.

Certain biopolymers are being produced from fermentative

procedures of natural valuable raw materials, such as sugar,

wheat, soya and etc. Precise consumption each unit of

biodegradable plastic produced is significantly different

depending on the raw materials used, but these raw materials

will be taken away from other uses with no doubt, in

particular from alimentation, with a consequent increase in

the cost of food (Harding et al., 2007).

A study conducted in the Asian Journal of Food and Agro-

Industry stated that banana peel has a good source of

different nutritional and valuable components. It is rich in

proteins, dietary fiber, potassium, and polyunsaturated fatty

acids. They also implied that banana peels can produce ethanol

(Asian Journal of Food and Agro-Industry, 2011).

Based on the research conducted by International

Journal of Environmental Science and Development on 2013,

waste from fruits, like banana peels, must be converted to

useful products like bio-ethanol which can serve as an

alternative energy source. Environmentally degradable bag or

as we say eco-bag can be made from banana fibre (Mohapatra et

al., 2010). This eco-bag with mixture of banana fibre and

cotton is sturdy, wrinkle-resistant, and absorbent-resistant

compared to bag with only cotton.

Banana fibres make a huge impact in the emerging bio-

economy because it plays a vital role. Recently, millions of

tons of banana pseudo stem are dumped as waste and most of

the farmers are facing huge problems in disposing the

accumulated banana pseudo stem. Therefore, it is effective to

extract the economic means of reducing the environmental

problem by extraction of fibre from pseudo stem and production

of valuable bio-products. All kinds of banana can be used for

the fibre extraction purpose (Mahapatra et al., 2010). Banana

fibers are completely biodegradable, recyclable and are more

environment friendly compared to the synthetic fibers both in

terms of production and their disposal. (Mukhopadhay et al.,

2008). Therefore, the banana products have export potential.

Unlike synthetic fibers which are largely produced from non-

renewable resources since banana fibers are made of renewable

resources. Furthermore, pseudo stem can be recycled to be

used as bio fertilizer and are found to be highly useful and

economic for banana growers. (Mukhopadhay et al., 2008).

Also, the wastes produced during processing of banana fiber

can generate electricity and will also contribute to make

ecological housing material for the reason that it is mainly

organic wastes (MOT, 2010) additionally; waste utilization

will overcome these environmental hazards. (Muraleedharan and

Perumal, 2010 and Mahapatra et al., 2010).

 Chapter 2

Methodology

Materials

15 pieces of Banana Peelings (Saba Banana) source of

Starch

8 tablespoons (113.4 grams) of Glycerin

4 litres of Water

2 tablespoons (28.3 grams) of Vinegar

Sift

A tablespoon

Graduated Cylinder

Research Design

The two-group experimental research design that will be

utilized by the study to be able to determine the difference
between the polyethylene plastics ( conventional plastics )
and the Bioplastic which is made with Banana peelings. The
design is suitable for the study since two comparable groups
were employed in the experiment and the variable were
carefully controlled and manipulated, one having a controlled
variable and one with an experimental variable.

Statistical Treatment

For the statistical treatment Mean will determine the

acceptability of the product made. T-test will then be used
to determine the difference between the polyethylene plastics
( convetional plastics ) and the Bioplastics from banana
peelings.

Procedure

Gathering/Collecting of Banana Peelings

Saba Bananas a hybrid of two families of banana namely;

Musa Acuminta and Musa Balbisiana. Banana peelings from this
banana will be used in making the product.

Extraction of Starch

The banana peelings will be used in producing the starch,

in extraction of starch the banana peelings will be chopped
into smaller pieces, which then will be whisked. Water will
be added to the whisked banana peelings, this mixture will be
then heated till the mixture thickens. The water from the
mixture will be removed after. Starch is then made.

Preparation of the Bioplastic

Ingredients such as the water, glycerin, vinegar, and

food coloring will be used in this process. Water with amounts
of starch from the banana peelings will be brought in heat.
Glycerin will be added to the solution mixing it thoroughly
then vinegar and food coloring will be added and again mixing
it all up. Starches are polysaccharides or large branched
polymers chains consisting of sugar molecules, as you heat
them externally it hydrolyses or breaks the bonds between the
branches this leads you to long linear chains of
polysaccharides. Ordinarily these linear chains are stiff,
but because the researchers added glycerin this acts as
plasticizer enabling the product to be flexible and sturdy.

Testing of the Product

The product will be then be sent to Equi Parco for the

tensile strength and elasticity of the product.

Data Gathering and Analysis

Data gathered from the various test will then be used in

the analysis of the product.
 Flow Chart Diagram

Gathering/Collecting of Banana
Extraction of Starch
Peelings

Preparation of the
Bioplastic

Testing of the Product

Data Gathering and Analysis