Development and characterization of natural sourced bioplastic synthesized from tamarind seeds, berry seeds and licorice root

Abstract

The use of fossil fuel-based plastics is harmful for our natural environment. Moreover, these plastics are single used plastics, difficult to recycle and non-biodegradable. These are polluting our environment and affecting marine organisms. Attention is being paid to search an alternative source to replace these harmful plastics. Biodegradable and renewable plastics can be used to replace such harmful plastics. This study used tamarind seeds, berry seeds, licorice root to manufacture bioplastic materials. Attention have been paid to characterize the manufactured bioplastic materials by biodegradation, tensile, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and antimicrobial analysis. Satisfactory results are obtained from the characterization reports. Bioplastic materials without the presence of licorice root showed better biodegradable, mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties. The manufactured bioplastic materials can be used as food packaging according to the results obtained.