DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE PELLETS FROM ECUADORIAN STARCH AND A RICE SUB-PRODUCT

Abstract

The single-use plastic items derived from oil are considered an environmental burden, worldwide. Efforts have been exerted to replace oil-based plastic with biodegradable polymers. However, it is unsustainable depending on a single material, so developing countries with plenty of biomass should develop their solutions. This study proposes developing biodegradable polymer pellets based on cassava or plantain starch using rice bran as a source of fiber, different pelletization temperatures, and glycerol as a plasticizer. A degradation test followed the pellet manufacture to decide the most promising formula developed. Cassava starch seems to be a better polysaccharide when working with rice bran, and 50 °C pelletization temperature.