Synthesis of bioplastics from edible vegetable waste

Abstract

Global production of synthetic plastic has now reached a huge number which had actually brought the negative effect to both the living and environment. Synthetic plastic is not degradable friendly which has then caused the plastic pollution to the environment. Overall, the main objective of this project is to produce cellulose based bioplastic from edible vegetable waste and to solve the pollution brought by the synthetic plastic to the environment. Local vegetable wastes are collected from the vegetable monger. In this research, direct synthesis method is used rather than then conventional synthetic method where the vegetable collected are first dried and crushed into powder form, they are then soak in the trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solution for specific time depending on the type of vegetable used. The viscous solution formed can then be directly used to produce the bioplastic film. After the production of the film, it is then undergo few testing, such as tensile strength, mechanical and chemical properties, and morphological characteristic. Bioplastic film that form should have the strength and properties that is closely similar to that of normal synthetic plastic. Different raw materials used will give different properties to every bioplastic. From the aspect of tensile strength, bioplastic from stink bean gave the best result.