Talahib (Saccharum spontaneum) as an Effective Main Component of

Biodegradable Plastic

RESEARCH PLAN
A. Problem:

The study will investigate if talahib (Saccharum spontaneum) can be used an
effective main component of biodegradable plastic.
Specifically, it seeks to answer the question:
Is there is a significant difference between biodegradable plastic from talahib and
commercial plastic in terms of:
1. Tensile strength
2. Flammability
3. Reaction to acids and bases
4. Biodegradability
B. Hypotheses
Ha
1
:
Talahib can be an effective main component of biodegradable plastic.
Ha
2
: There is a significant difference between the biodegradable plastic from talahib and
the commercial plastic.

Ho
1
:
Talahib cannot be an effective main component of biodegradable plastic.
Ho
2
: There is no significant difference between the biodegradable plastic from talahib
and the commercial plastic.

C. Description of Methods:

Procedure
Talahib leaf sheaths will be collected from grasslands and will be sun-dried for twenty-
four (24) hours. After cutting them into very small pieces, they will then be combined
with different chemicals such as polyvinyl alcohol, sodium hydroxide in aqueous
solution, glue, and glycerol to produce biodegradable plastics. Three samples of plastics
will be made with different amounts of talahib pulp, as shown in the table below.
Sample Talahib Pulp
(g)
PVA (g) Glycerol
(mL)
Glue (mL) Distilled
Water
A 10 10 5 5 100
B 20 10 5 5 100
C 30 10 5 5 100

Data Analysis
After the different samples are molded and cut into sheets, they will undergo laboratory
testing which will include physical and chemical tests. The following will be tested to see
if talahib can be an effective main component of biodegradable plastic: tensile strength
test, flammability test, reaction to acid and base test, and biodegradability test. The
results will be subjected to t-test method of analysis to see if there will be significant
differences between the experimental plastic and the commercial one in terms of the
given parameters.

D. References
http://www.chemistrydaily.com/chemistry/plastic
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0860420
http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publication/mp/pdf/t/talahib.pdf
Kirkwood, Ralph C., Longley, Anita J.2003.Clean Technology and the Environment.
Harper, Charles A., Petrie, Edward M.Plastics 2001.Materials and Processes: a Concise
Encyclopedia.Encyclopedia Americana