Comparative Study Between the Bioplastic Properties of Agar-Agar (Gelidium Amansii) and Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) Starch
LA SALLE GREEN HILLS
Comparative Study Between the Bioplastic Properties of Agar-Agar (Gelidium amansii) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Starch
Submitted by:
Kyle Emmanuel A. David
Rynno Gabriel Luis T. Garde
Justin Carlo P. Gregorio
Rufo Angelo M. Mauricio III
Christian Michael A. Perreras
II-B
Submitted to:
Miss Alvie Diaz
Submitted on:
January 30, 2012
ABSTRACT
Bioplastic is a form of plastic derived from renewable biomass sources rather than fossil-fuel plastics which are derived from petroleum. Two main ingredients are commonly used in the production of bioplastic: starch and seaweed. The study aimed to compare the properties of bioplastic made from agar-agar, a species of seaweed, and potato starch. Through the study, the researchers attempted to discover which bioplastic would be more viable for both industrial and personal use, in terms of its tensile strength, flexibility, water resistance and mouldability.
In the procedure, for the first set-up, vinegar, glycerol and water were mixed in a bowl together with potato starch. The second set-up had a similar mixture, although instead of adding potato starch, agar-agar was used. Both mixtures were heated until they reached about 95 ͦC. Thereafter, half of the solutions were poured separately onto two different drying pans and were left to dry.
The final products were then subjected to four tests that aimed to determine which plastic had all of the properties mentioned above. Both plastics were proven to be flexible and mouldable. However, the agar-agar plastic had greater tensile strength compared to the potato starch plastic. After 26 hours of soaking in water, the agar-agar plastic was proven to be water-soluble, instead of water resistant, while the potato starch plastic maintained its shape and weight.
Based on the results of the experiments, the researchers concluded that both plastics are useful. The
Comparative Study Between the Bioplastic Properties of Agar-Agar (Gelidium amansii) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Starch
Submitted by:
Kyle Emmanuel A. David
Rynno Gabriel Luis T. Garde
Justin Carlo P. Gregorio
Rufo Angelo M. Mauricio III
Christian Michael A. Perreras
II-B
Submitted to:
Miss Alvie Diaz
Submitted on:
January 30, 2012
ABSTRACT
Bioplastic is a form of plastic derived from renewable biomass sources rather than fossil-fuel plastics which are derived from petroleum. Two main ingredients are commonly used in the production of bioplastic: starch and seaweed. The study aimed to compare the properties of bioplastic made from agar-agar, a species of seaweed, and potato starch. Through the study, the researchers attempted to discover which bioplastic would be more viable for both industrial and personal use, in terms of its tensile strength, flexibility, water resistance and mouldability.
In the procedure, for the first set-up, vinegar, glycerol and water were mixed in a bowl together with potato starch. The second set-up had a similar mixture, although instead of adding potato starch, agar-agar was used. Both mixtures were heated until they reached about 95 ͦC. Thereafter, half of the solutions were poured separately onto two different drying pans and were left to dry.
The final products were then subjected to four tests that aimed to determine which plastic had all of the properties mentioned above. Both plastics were proven to be flexible and mouldable. However, the agar-agar plastic had greater tensile strength compared to the potato starch plastic. After 26 hours of soaking in water, the agar-agar plastic was proven to be water-soluble, instead of water resistant, while the potato starch plastic maintained its shape and weight.
Based on the results of the experiments, the researchers concluded that both plastics are useful. The
Cited: Agar Brasileiro(2003)Agar-Agar Properties. Retrieved January 2, 2012 from http://www.agargel.com.br/agar-tec-en.html David, K.(2011)Alternative Plastic Derived from Agar-Agar Seaweeds (Gelidium amansii), La Salle Green Hills Green Plastics(2010-2011)Students Corner. Retrieved January 2, 2012 from http://green-plastics.net/discussion/54-student Stevens, G.(2010)HOW TO: make algae bioplastic. Green Plastics. Retrieved August 18, 2011, from http://green-plastics.net/discussion/54-student/84-how-to-make-algae-bioplastic Sweeney, C. (2010)Instructables: Make Potato Plastic! Retrieved December 16, 2011 from http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Potato-Plastic!/ Sweeny, B.(Producer)(2008)Bioplastic Tutorial.United States.Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmt7YHl_YUM Tinius Olsen(2008)How to Test Plastic Properties. Retrieved December 27,2011, from http://www.tiniusolsen.com/resource-center/plastic-properties.html Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2012)Bioplastic. Retrieved January 2, 2012 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic