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Production of bio-plastic from tapioca pearls starch
Summary
Scientists made a plant-based plastic from tapioca pearls (the same starch used in bubble tea), along with natural dyes from beetroot and turmeric, instead of using petroleum-based plastic. Unlike regular plastic, which sheds microplastics that can end up in our food, water, and even our bodies, this tapioca-based bioplastic breaks down naturally in soil, water, and through microbial action, making it a safer, non-toxic alternative that doesn't linger in the environment or accumulate in living things.
Bio-plastic are an ecofriendly alternative to conventional plastics derived from renewable resources like starch. The biodegradable plastic can be prepared with the help of different types of starch such as corn starch, potato starch and tapioca starch. Tapioca starch is used in the preparation of biodegradable plastic because of its renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic, cost effective, water solubility and film forming ability. Tapioca is extracted from the cassava plant, scientifically known as Manihot esculenta. Tapioca is commonly known as cassava. Tapioca pearls were taken from nearby store, and the pearls were grinded with the help of mortar and pestle to obtain a fine powder of tapioca starch. Organic colors were used in preparation of bioplastic because they are ecofriendly, non- toxic, biodegradable and cost effective. The organic color used in the preparation of bioplastic was magenta and yellow which was extracted from beetroot and turmeric. The preparation of bioplastic was carried out in lab. The tapioca pearl starch was then added in given amount in aluminium container with required amount of glycerin, vinegar and distilled water over flame. Then the sheet of bioplastic was prepared by spreading it over and drying it at room temperature respectively. Similarly, the same procedure was followed and the mixture was poured in moulds of different shapes to obtain desired shape toy. The bioplastic sheet and toy were observed and their characteristics were noted. These bioplastics were then allowed to degrade by various methods like soil degradation, water degradation and microbial degradation. In this paper Bioplastic which we prepared is useful because it is ecofriendly alternative to regular plastic and also it is biodegradable, safer for humans and animals, non- toxic, renewable, it reduces plastic pollution and has low carbon footprint.