Cassava Starch as an Alternative

Source of Biodegradable Plastic

Andres, Francheska
Cabudoc, Vince
Olino, Vanessa
 ABSTRACT

This research aims to produce biodegradable plastic

using cassava starch as its main product. The use of
biodegradable plastics has already started in the
United States. Some plastics use cornstarch as an
additive. This additive helps in the natural
decomposition of the plastic materials.
 INTRODUCTION
There is an increasing demand for plastic, from the highly
technological fields of electronics, fiber optics, and pharmaceuticals
to the basic necessities such as sandwich wrappers and garbage
bags. This high demand for plastics, however, has been a major
contributor to the world’s Present garbage problems. The researches
aimed at developing biodegradable plastics are one big step to
lessen, if not totally eliminate, this global concern. The study was
limited to one species of cassava , Manihot esculenta.
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1. Is it comparable to commercial plastics in terms of:
• Clarity
• Reaction to Acids and Bases
• Water Absorption
• Tensile Stress and Tensile Strain
• Electrical Conductivity
• Flammability
 HYPOTHESIS

• Null Hypothesis: There is no significant difference between the

commercialized plastic and the plastic made out of cassava
starch.
• Alternative Hypothesis: There is significant difference
between the commercialized plastic and the plastic made out of
cassava starch.
 METHODOLOGY
1.Brainstorming about the possible alternative source of biodegradable plastic

2. Researching about the Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Starch as Biodegradable plastic

3. Preparing the items that will be used in the experimentation

4. Batch 1 5. Batch 2 6. Batch 3

7. Analyze the results

8. Making the conclusion and the recommendation

 CONCLUSION

Favorable results were obtained in the Strong Base Test and

Flammability Test. The samples were found to be water-soluble.
However, the samples would not dissolve in ethanol, an organic
solvent.
All samples were biodegradable.
 RECOMMENDATION

The samples dissolved in water because the binder (PVA)

used is watersoluble. In order to solve this problem, an
alternate binder may be used. A water-proof, biodegradable
coating may be used to solve this problem. Antioxidants may
also be used to make the product more transparent.