The Effect of Different Starches in the Environmental and Mechanical Properties of Starch Blended Bioplastics
Adriana Cunha Neves, Tew Ming, Marta Mroczkowska, David Culliton
Abstract
The problematic of plastic pollution in the world has led to an interest in the research and development of thermoset starch-protein blend bioplastics as a possible alternative for single use non-recyclable plastics. However, these bioplastics lack the physico-chemical characteristics that make them useful as a replacement for the currently used plastics. This work aims to assess what differences in the mechanical and environmental impact can be seen in the thermoset starch-protein blend bioplastics when different starches are used in their formulation. Rice, kuzu, corn, wheat and potato starches were used to generate bioplastics, and these were tested in terms of colour, lightness, roughness, chemical composition, moister content, water solubility and soil toxicity when degraded. Characteristics such as chemical composition, colour and moister content do not change significantly when the different starches are used, however it was possible to identify change in characteristics such as lightness, roughness, and water solubility of the bioplastics. Moreover, not only none of the bioplastics showed to be toxic to the soil when degraded, but also promoted the growth of the plant species tested. It was possible to conclude that the use of different starches in the formulation of thermoset starch-protein blend bioplastics allows the generation of bioplastics with different characteristics. This leads to an increase in applicability of theses bioplastics and consequently a higher positive impact in the environment.