A Review Study on: Synthesis of Biodegradable Plastic from Starch

Abstract

Plastics are a wide range of semisynthetic or synthetic materials composed primarily of polymers, which means they are made by linking chains of molecules (called monomers) together to create a large molecule (a polymer). Most conventional plastics are derived from precious petrochemicals. However, over time, it leads to the depletion of fossil fuels, and traditional plastic is proving to be a major environmental problem. To overcome these issues, ‘Biodegradable Plastic’ is now widely being considered as an alternative. This research focuses on the synthesis of biodegradable plastic from starch to address environmental pollution from conventional plastics. This study reveals that biodegradable plastic made from starch is strong and eco-friendly, as it completely degrades within a short period of time. So, biodegradable plastic gives a promising solution to environmental problems, and it can be used for various purposes in our day-to-day life.

Introduction

Plastics are widely used synthetic or semi-synthetic materials made primarily of polymers. Their versatility, durability, low cost, and lightweight nature have made them essential in daily life. Most conventional plastics are derived from non-renewable fossil fuels and are non-biodegradable, causing long-term environmental issues.

To address this, biodegradable plastics have been developed, which decompose naturally via microorganisms into water and carbon dioxide. Starch, a natural polymer found in plants like cassava, potatoes, maize, and rice, is a key source for biodegradable plastics. Starch-based bioplastics are renewable, low-cost, and fully biodegradable, making them suitable for packaging and other applications. Plasticizers like glycerol improve their flexibility and moldability, and their properties can be further enhanced with eco-friendly polyesters.

Potato starch has large granules, high binding strength, and minimal impurities, while rice starch is smooth, hypoallergenic, and highly digestible. Both are extracted using water-based processes and can be processed with glycerol and vinegar to form a gelatinized starch mixture, which dries into biodegradable plastic films.

Methodology Overview:

1. Extract starch from potatoes (crushing, washing, settling) or rice (soaking, blending, straining).

2. Mix starch with glycerol and water, heat with stirring, and add vinegar to aid gelatinization.

3. Pour the gel onto trays to dry and form solid biodegradable plastic films.

Conclusion

Biodegradable plastics offer a promising alternative to conventional plastics by decomposing into natural elements like water and carbon dioxide with the help of microorganisms. But their effectiveness depends on proper disposal and environmental conditions. While they can reduce plastic pollution and reliance on fossil fuels, challenges such as ensuring proper waste management, differentiating them from degradable plastics (which may fragment but not fully decompose), and improving their performance and affordability remain. Therefore, while biodegradable plastics have the potential for a more sustainable future, they are not a universal solution and would require careful application and management to be truly beneficial.

References

[1] Alcazar S and Meirales M, (2015). Physiochemical properties, modification and applications of starches from different botanical sources: Journal of food science and technology 35(2):215-236. [2] Anne O, (2005). Making plastic from Potato starch. Advances in chemical sciences, p. 1- 7. [3] Sharma D and Mankad A, (2017). Extraction and characterisation of starch from tuber of crinum species: International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences, vol 7:1-4. [4] Ezeoha S.L and Ezenwanne J.N, (2013). Production of Biodegradable Plastic Packaging Film from Cassava Starch: IOSR journal of engineering vol 3, 14-20. [5] Fleming L. (2012): Potato starch. New Zealand grower, 67:1-55. [6] Santacruz S, Koch K, Svensson E, Ruales J, and Eliasson A, (2002). Three underutilized sources of starch from the Adean region in Euuader: Carbohydrate polymer, 49, 63 70. [7] Stevens, E.S, (2002): Green Plastics: An Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. [8] Reddy R.L, Reddy V.S, Gupta G.S, (2013): Study of Bioplastic as green and sustainable alternative to plastics.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Falguni Bhavsar, Ganisha Shiv, Pranjal Bhivsankar, Pranjal Swami, Sanskruti Patil. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.