BIOPLASTICS PRODUCTION FROM STARCH AND CHITOSAN BLENDS

Abstract

Plastics are used in many consumer goods, its raw material comes from a non-renewable resource, oil, and its disposal causes accumulation of waste due to its long degradation. An alternative are bio based and biodegradable plastics, which are highlighted in the scientific community. The bio based and biodegradable plastics can be produced from starch which is a polysaccharide synthesized by plants. In order to evaluate the effect of the reactants on the bioplastics characteristics, and through the analysis of previous publications, it was possible to produce a polymer blend using chitosan, which can be obtained from the carapace of shrimps that come from inappropriate disposal of the processing waste. To observe the behaviour of the bioplastic, based on variation of the reactants, the volume of glycerin was varied between 0 to 4 mL, the concentration of acetic acid was varied between 2 to 15%, and the concentration of chitosan was varied between 0 to 100%. It was possible to observe that the glycerine has an important role at the flexibility of the film, the acetic acid influences on the consistency, elasticity and shape, and the chitosan influences on the stiffness and thickness. The sample material showed satisfactory characteristics such as color, density, biodegradability, and odour, in addition, the samples presented total integration of the chitosan with the starch.