Review on the Manufacturing of Biodegradable Plastic Packaging Film from Root and Tuber Starches

Abstract

Biodegradation of plastics occurs when microorganisms metabolize the plastics to either assailable compounds or to humus-like materials that are less harmful to the environment. They may be composed of either bio plastics, which are plastics whose components are derived from renewable raw materials or petroleum-based plastics which contain additives. Biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources is decreases dependence on petroleum and reduces the amount of waste material. Particular attention has been given in the recent years for the development of biodegradable polymers from renewable resources, especially for packaging and disposable applications to maintain sustainable development of economically and ecologically attractive technology, towards greener environment. Among these biopolymer, Starch is a cheap biopolymer that is totally biodegradable, ultimately up to carbon dioxide and water. Starch is an attractive biodegradable biopolymer because it is cheap with low density and can be blended with other polymers to produce composites with tailored properties. Starch can be found in various sources of cereals, root and tubers, such as rice, potatoes, corn, yam, wheat, cassava, and taro. The aim of this paper review was study on the manufacturing biodegradable plastic packaging film from root and tubers Starch. Root and tuber was used to produce starch based biodegradable plastic packaging film; like plastic packaging film from potatoes, sweet potatoes, enset, taro, cassava, and yam starch. Degradable plastics are grouped into photodegradable, oxdatively degradable, hydrolytically degradable and biodegradable plastics. The biodegradability of plastics depends upon their properties. The mechanism of biodegradation is affected by both the physical and chemical properties of plastics. The properties such as surface area, hydrophilic and hydrophobic character, the chemical structure, molecular weight, glass transition temperature, and melting point, elasticity, and crystal structure of polymers play important role in the biodegradation processes.