THE EFFICACY OF CORN

STRARCH AS COMPONENT
USING BIOPLASTIC

GALILEO
X-VIGILANCE
GENGHIS KHAN SUPNET
NICOLE BUCAG
JOSHUA JAYNARIO
BRIAN JEROME DELA CRUZ
NINA SHAIRA BACLIG
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This study is about making Bio-plastic through Corn starch. This Bio-

plastic can replace the plastic/ paper bag that we use everyday.

We study this research because plastic is the main problem here in

Malagasang II-D that causes flood. Malagasang II-D canal is dumped with a lot

of plastic that causes flood. Since plastic cover the passage way of the water, the

water overflow and causes flood.

This Bio-plastic can also help our environment when it decays, because

it can serve as the composers of the plants and trees. This Bio-plastic has a lot of

advantages on us.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

QUESTIONS:

1. Are cornstarch based bio-plastic are much better than those without

cornstarch in terms of strength, flexibility, biodegradability in water,

biodegradability in soil and resistance to burning?

2. Are cornstarch based bio-plastic are acceptable in the community of

Malagasang II ?

ANSWERS:

1.) Bio-plastic are strong just like other plastic because it is made of

Carbon and since we use Corn starch the durability of the plastic is

twice than the normal plastic because Corn starch is best thickening

material. Glycerin is the one who makes the plastic flexible and serve as

the Plasticizer in Bio-plastic. By increasing the measurement of glycerin

in Bio-plastic we are certain that the plastic is flexible. Bio-plastic is made

of Carbon means it does not contain Chlorine Atoms that causes burn

when the plastic is set on fire, thats why our Bio-plastic does not get
 easily burned. Since this plastic is a Bio-plastic is gets easily decay in

water and in soil.

2.) By making a survey in the community most of them agreed using

Bio-plastic because of its good effects and advantages. It will help to

prevent flood in the place and also it can serve as a composer to a plant

and trees

Objectives Of The Study

Main Objective:

To develop a biodegradable plastic.

Specific Objective:

To identify which concentration would be best used to develop a

biodegradable plastic.
HYPOTHESIS

We believe that Corn starch as component of Bio-plastic will

perform the best. Referring to our research, Corn starch is the best

thickening material that is twice the durability of the plastic, unlike the

other plastic which is made of polymer. By Adding a Glycerin it makes the

Bio-plastic more flexible and a Vinegar that breaks down the

Amylopectin bonds unwanted type of polymer. Another reason why we

believe that Corn starch would take more time to biodegrade because of

the higher starch content that biodegrade in about 3-6 months.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

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.

This study is very important because it can really help our

environment specially here in Malagasang II-D. It has a lot of advantages

 in our life and the one who will benefit it is the people here in the

community.

The benefit that they will receive after using Bio-plastic is when a

heavy rain hit the Malagasang II-D, flood is no more, because people are

now using Bio-plastic. Also when it decades it will serve as a food in algae

which serve as a food of the fishes.

Because plastics are made of polymers, starch is a very favorable raw

material in plastic making. The plastic produced will be treated with different

amounts of starch (polymer), water, corn starch and glycerol (plasticizer). The

finished product will be expected to be comparable to commercial plastics in

terms of clarity, reaction to acids and bases, water absorption, tensile stress and

tensile strain, and flammability.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The purpose of this study is to lessen the use of ordinary plastic because

this plastics causes flood here in Malagasang II-D.

It only limits itself on the utilization of Corn Starch as the experimental

treatment and Commercial plastic as the control treatment. This study was

conducted from December to February 2017 at Malagasang II.

 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

RESEARCHER : Ra Solomon (Philippines)

THE EFFICACY OF CASSAVA STARCH, CORN STARCH AS COMPONENTS

FOR BIODEGRADABLE BAGS

Related Literature

Efficacy of Cassava Starch as Biodegradable Bag

Cassava starch is effective in the development of biodegradable

packaging materials such as plastics in terms of durability and availability. It

refers to a white odorless tasteless granular carbohydrate substance that is

contained in cassava.

Efficacy of Corn Starch as Biodegradable Bag

The effectiveness of biodegradable bags are sustained not only through

making and usage life of bags, they continue after we have used and discarded

them. In fact, once composted, this kind of bag will contribute water and carbon

dioxide back into the environment. The biomass by-product can then be used by

farmers as compost! Market studies estimate the market for Biodegradable

plastics will grow at 20% per annum, with heightened awareness and an
imminent plastic bag tax the prime reasons driving this rise. The bags are derived

from materials including cornstarch - a raw material that is renewable and

sustainable.

Related Studies

According to Duran, Villarata, Nermal, Dioneo, Villanueva (2013) on Cassava

Starch as a Major component in making Biodegradable Plastic , the result was

found that the product exhibited the desirable mechanical properties of a

biodegradable plastic thus the product is completely biodegradable at disposal.

The researchers conclude that cassava starch is one of the most promising raw

materials for the development of biodegradable plastics due to its availability in

large quantity, its relatively low cost and its biodegradability.

Also, according to K. Sriroth and K. Sangseethong (2009) on Biodegradable

Plastics from Cassava Starch, Experimental studies have demonstrated that

cassava starch could be used for making various types of packaging products.

As a major source of starch in tropical and subtropical regions, cassava is a

promising raw material for the development of biodegradable plastics in these

areas. This article reviews the major types of starch-based biodegradable

plastics and their relevant manufacturing processes. The research activities

concerning cassava starch in the development of biodegradable packaging

materials are emphasized.

According to Olivier Vilpoux and Luc Averous(2011) on Starch-based plastics ,

The use of starch in the manufacturing of bioplastics began in the 70s (Curvelo

et al.,2009). Among its advantages, the starch is cheap, abundant and

renewable. Besides, it is found in several forms due to the origin of its raw

material (Lawter and Fischer,2009).

According to D. Soni and M. Saiyad (2011) on Biodegradable Polyethylene

Bags, Biodegradable (PE) plastic bags own almost the same qualities as

ordinary plastic bags. Biodegradable plastic bags differ mainly through its

composability (biological reduction).The underlying technology is based on

special additives which, if incorporated into standard PE resins,are purported to

accelerate the degradation of the film products. Degradable PE films can help

lessen the problem of plastic wastes. By using degradable plastics, farmers can

protect their horticultural crops from harsh elements like too much sun, wind,

rain, and diseases, without significant negative effect on yield, quality, and heavy

metal content of these crops as well as on soil properties.

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY

MATERIALS

1 tbsp. Corn starch

4 tbsp. Water

1 tbsp. Vinegar

1 tbsp. Glycerin

PROCEDURE

On a pan start charging in your 4 tbsp. of Distilled Water, then charge

in your 1 tbsp. of Corn starch. Start stirring and agitating till you get a even

homogeneous suspension. Charging in your 1 tbsp. of Glycerin and mix it

thoroughly, and finally add the 1 tbsp. of Vinegar and again mix it all up. Now turn

on your heat and start stirring. After heat for a while, take the mixture and pour it

out on sheet foil and spread it out. Dry it for 2-3 days and it gives you a eco-

friendly Bio-plastic.
CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION OF DATA (TESTING OF

EFFECTIVENESS)

Bio-plastic are strong just like other plastic because it is made of

Carbon and since we use Corn starch the durability of the plastic is twice

than the normal plastic because Corn starch is best thickening material.

Glycerin is the one who makes the plastic flexible and serve as the

Plasticizer in Bio-plastic. By increasing the measurement of glycerin in Bio-

plastic we are certain that the plastic is flexible. Bio-plastic is made of

Carbon means it does not contain Chlorine Atoms that causes burn when

the plastic is set on fire, thats why our Bio-plastic does not get easily burned.

Since this plastic is a Bio-plastic is gets easily decay in water and in soil.

By making a survey in the community most of them agreed using

Bio-plastic because of its good effects and advantages. It will help to

prevent flood in the place and also it can serve as a composer to a plant

and trees

Testing the Plastic Sheets

Several tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties of

the samples.
1. Effects of strong acids

The plastic strips were immersed in concentrated hydrochloric acid for 30

minutes. Changes in length, width and appearance were noted. The purpose of

this is to determine if the treatments can be dissolve in strong acids like

Hydrochloric acid.

2. Durability test

The plastic strips were hooked to a spring balance and were pulled until

they tore apart. The readings on the spring balance when the strips broke were

recorded. The purpose of this is to determine the treatments durability or

resilience.

3 Organic solvent tests

The plastic strips were immersed in ethanol for 48 hours. Changes in

appearance were noted. The purpose of this is to determine if the treatments can

be dissolved in organic solvent like ethanol.

4. Biodegradable test

The plastic strips were stapled to a piece of cardboard and was buried in a

can of soil. The strips were unearthed after a week and their appearance were

recorded. The purpose of this is to determine if the treatments can degrade in the

soil.

5. Water Resistance

The plastic strips were immersed in water for 5 days. Changes in

appearance was observed and noted. The purpose of this is to determine if the

treatments can resist water.

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSION

Based on the results and analysis of data,Corn starch is a promising

alternative in producing Bio-plastic. This Bio-plastic is really a big help in our

environment and by using it we can achieve a clean and safe environment.

RECOMENDATION

After studying the data and the result of the study, the researchers would

like to recommend the following:

1. Conduct further studies in accordance to the information gathered in this

research to the uses of Cornstarch as a component of making a plastic.