Development of Bioplastics based on Corn starch for sustainable production

Abstract

The production process of cornstarch-based bioplastics was investigated, with the aim of developing bioplastic products with optimal resistance. The problem posed was the excessive use of petroleum-based plastics in Honduras, whose accumulation affects oceans, soils and ecosystems. The methodology included the variation of factors such as the type of machinery (compression press and extruder), drying temperature, curing time and proportion of plasticizers, evaluating their impact on the strength of the bioplastic product. The factor analysis and ANOVA allowed the identification of significant factors, confirming that the compression press gives better results, an adequate drying temperature of 70°C, curing time of 2 hours and 10% of plasticizers were identified that optimized the mechanical properties of the bioplastic. The results showed an average resistance of 58.52 MPa. These configurations contribute to improving the performance of bioplastic in industrial applications. The conclusions have indicated that the proportion of plasticizers has been the most significant factor (p < 0.05), followed by the type of additive used, where glycerol and castor oil have presented the best results. Likewise, the validation by experts has corroborated the quality of the bioplastics developed, highlighting their potential for industrial applications and their viability in local environments. Cornstarch-based bioplastics can contribute to sustainable production in Honduras, reducing environmental impacts and offering a viable solution for the packaging industry. The exploration of new additives and processes that improve the flexibility and degradability of the material, so that they can be used in the scientific community, has been suggested as future work