Testing and evaluation of potato starch based bio plastic

Abstract

Plastics are hazardous to environment as they are as they are not decomposable because they are derivatives of strongly fused long sequence petrochemical grounded materials. However bio plastics can be seen as the solution to the problem. Starch is a natural biopolymer having largely two kinds of polymer glucose. In this research work bio plastic made using potato starch is tested for its various properties. However, reduced physico-mechanical properties like low tensile strength, tear strength, high rigidity, elongation at break and low moisture stability are detected in maximum of the starch-based materials. Development of starch-based bio plastic properties is being endeavoured by starch alteration. The physical and mechanical properties of the decomposable plastic have been upgraded through certain well-made procedures. Raw materials and chemicals used for production of potato starch based bio plastic are Potato, distilled water, PVA, Acetic Acid, Lecithin and glycerine. Different composition of the above ingredients were used to make bio degradable bio plastic. The bio plastic formed is tested for various parameters like thickness, hardness, gloss, water absorption test, GSM, water solubility, moisture content and biodegradability test.