Development of Biomass-Based Plastic Resins from Natural Algal Polysaccharides

Justin Richmond C. Domingo

PSHS-CVC

Overview: Starchy NAPs

Similarities: polymeric sugars high molecular weights soluble in water high viscosity excellent GETS maintain moisture Differences chemical structures source uses

Objectives of the Study

MAIN to utilize agar, alginate, and carrageenan as polymers for bioplastics resins using steam SPECIFIC to determine their biodegradability in loam soil and in open air for 42 days to determine their general chemical resistance in acidic, basic, and salt solutions for an hour

Significance of the Study

BIOPLASTICS decreased dependence on oil products lesser wastes and greenhouse gases emissions highly biodegradable and compostable environment-friendly, inexpensive and toxic-free SEAWEEDS (NAPs) increased utilization renewable and sustainable scientific clarity

Methodology

General Procedure
Bioplastic Resin Making

Biodegradability Test

General Chemical Resistance Test

Analysis of Data

Bioplastic Resin Making

Mixing of the NAPs in Aqueous Glycerol

Steaming of the Bioplastic Resin Mixtures

Cooling of the Steamed Bioplastic Resins

Air-Drying of the Bioplastic Resin Gels

Harvesting of the Bioplastic Resin Films

Biodegradability Test
Preparation of the Substrates Exposure of the Resins to the Substrates Harvesting of the Bioplastic Resins

Loam Soil
Open Air

Weighing of their Masses

Observation of Changes

General Chemical Resistance Test

Preparation of the Chemicals 2M HCl Exposure of the Resins to the Chemicals 2M NaOH 2M NaCl Distilled H2O Observation of Changes

Analysis of Data
(Percent Weight Loss) Calculation of the Percent Weight Losses

Column Statistics
Utilization of GraphPad Prism v. 5.01 Time-Series Graphs Two-Way RM ANOVA

Bonferroni Posttests Conclusion Making

Analysis of Data
(Forms of Biodegradation and Forms of Corrosion) Enumeration of the Changes Observed

Comparison to their Original Forms

Conclusion Making

Results and Discussion

The Bioplastic Resins

Biodegradability Test
(Percent Weight Loss in Loam Soil)

100
Percent Weight Loss

80 60 40 20 0 7 14 21 28 Days 35 42

Ag Al Ca Ag + Al Ag + Ca Al + Ca Ag + Al + Ca Mean

Biodegradability Test
(Two-Way RM ANOVA in Loam Soil)
Source of Variation Interaction Time Bioplastic Resin Type DF 30.0 5.0 6.0 14.0 70.0 125.0 Sum of Squares 339.2 75100 1102 22.67 49.33 76610 Mean Square 11.31 15020 183.7 1.619 0.7048

Subjects (matching)
Residual (Error) Total

Biodegradability Test
(Percent Weight Loss in Open Air)

Ag Al Ca Ag + Al Ag + Ca Al + Ca Ag + Al + Ca Mean

Percent Weight Loss

6 4 2 0

14

21 Days

28

35

42

Biodegradability Test
(Forms of Biodegradation in Loam Soil)
A carrageenan only resin immersed in loam soil during the 21st day.

Biodegradability Test
(Forms of Biodegradation in Loam Soil)
An agar only resin immersed in loam soil during the 28th day.

Biodegradability Test
(Forms of Biodegradation in Loam Soil)
Alginatecontaining resins immersed in loam soil during the 42nd day.

Biodegradability Test
(Forms of Biodegradation in Open Air)
A carrageenan only resin exposed in the open air during the 35th day.

Mode of Biodegradation

General Chemical Resistance Test

(Forms of Corrosion in HCl)
The granulated bioplastic resins an hour after exposure to hydrochloric acid.

General Chemical Resistance Test

(Forms of Corrosion in NaOH)
The granulated bioplastic resins an hour after exposure to sodium hydroxide

General Chemical Resistance Test

(Forms of Corrosion in NaCl)
The granulated bioplastic resins an hour after exposure to sodium chloride

General Chemical Resistance Test

(Forms of Corrosion in H2O)
The granulated bioplastic resins an hour after exposure to distilled water.

Conclusions

Conclusions
The bioplastic resins are highly biodegradable and compostable in loam soil. Moreover, the bioplastic resins are also oxo-degradable. The bioplastic resins are permeable and absorbent to chemical solutions but their qualities are not drastically and readily altered.

Conclusions
The natural algal polysaccharides namely agar, alginate and carrageenan are efficient and effective polymers to create good, environment-friendly, inexpensive and toxic-free bioplastic resins.

Thank You!