Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging

Abstract Due to the growing environmental concerns of petroleum-based plastics, there has been a surge of interest in biodegradable alternatives. In this study, starch-based bioplastic was prepared using biopolymers extracted from corn and potato and the biopolymer was mixed with calcium carbonate (...

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Main Authors: Manoj Kumar Gurunathan, Rajesh Jesudoss Hynes Navasingh, Jebaraj David Raja Selvam, Robert Čep
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00221-0
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author Manoj Kumar Gurunathan
Rajesh Jesudoss Hynes Navasingh
Jebaraj David Raja Selvam
Robert Čep
author_facet Manoj Kumar Gurunathan
Rajesh Jesudoss Hynes Navasingh
Jebaraj David Raja Selvam
Robert Čep
author_sort Manoj Kumar Gurunathan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Due to the growing environmental concerns of petroleum-based plastics, there has been a surge of interest in biodegradable alternatives. In this study, starch-based bioplastic was prepared using biopolymers extracted from corn and potato and the biopolymer was mixed with calcium carbonate (filler) and plasticizers (glycerol-sorbitol) and evaluated. For the fabricated formulation, Taguchi analysis gave an optimal formulation of 9 g corn starch, 9 mL glycerol, and 2.5 g calcium carbonate, having a well-balanced mechanical strength, flexibility, and biodegradability. The results showed a major improvement in tensile strength of 22.5% (6.08 MPa) and a 31.7% increase in Young’s modulus (0.103 GPa), compared to the least effective sample. In biodegradation tests, the degradation rate of C1 (66.68%) was the fastest, while C3 had a slower rate (29.08%). Moisture absorption varied considerably, with sample COM3 absorbing 25.92% compared to just 4.35% for P3, while P3 absorbed only 4.35%. Among compounds, the higher and lower percentage for water solubility were for P1 (20.50%) and C3 (49.04%) respectively. These results underscore the potential of starch-based bioplastics for sustainable packaging, offering an environmentally friendly option compared to traditional plastics.
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spelling doaj-art-38f4dea8a73e4a51b48ecd36f6895ec32025-08-20T02:55:35ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-00221-0Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packagingManoj Kumar Gurunathan0Rajesh Jesudoss Hynes Navasingh1Jebaraj David Raja Selvam2Robert Čep3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mepco Schlenk Engineering CollegeDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Mepco Schlenk Engineering CollegeDepartment of Robotics Engineering, Karunya Institute of Technology and SciencesDepartment of Machining, Assembly and Engineering Metrology, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, VŠB-Technical University of OstravaAbstract Due to the growing environmental concerns of petroleum-based plastics, there has been a surge of interest in biodegradable alternatives. In this study, starch-based bioplastic was prepared using biopolymers extracted from corn and potato and the biopolymer was mixed with calcium carbonate (filler) and plasticizers (glycerol-sorbitol) and evaluated. For the fabricated formulation, Taguchi analysis gave an optimal formulation of 9 g corn starch, 9 mL glycerol, and 2.5 g calcium carbonate, having a well-balanced mechanical strength, flexibility, and biodegradability. The results showed a major improvement in tensile strength of 22.5% (6.08 MPa) and a 31.7% increase in Young’s modulus (0.103 GPa), compared to the least effective sample. In biodegradation tests, the degradation rate of C1 (66.68%) was the fastest, while C3 had a slower rate (29.08%). Moisture absorption varied considerably, with sample COM3 absorbing 25.92% compared to just 4.35% for P3, while P3 absorbed only 4.35%. Among compounds, the higher and lower percentage for water solubility were for P1 (20.50%) and C3 (49.04%) respectively. These results underscore the potential of starch-based bioplastics for sustainable packaging, offering an environmentally friendly option compared to traditional plastics.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00221-0Environmental impactPetroleum-based plasticsBiodegradable alternativesStarch-based bioplasticsBiodegradation
spellingShingle Manoj Kumar Gurunathan
Rajesh Jesudoss Hynes Navasingh
Jebaraj David Raja Selvam
Robert Čep
Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging
Scientific Reports
Environmental impact
Petroleum-based plastics
Biodegradable alternatives
Starch-based bioplastics
Biodegradation
title Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging
title_full Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging
title_fullStr Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging
title_full_unstemmed Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging
title_short Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging
title_sort development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging
topic Environmental impact
Petroleum-based plastics
Biodegradable alternatives
Starch-based bioplastics
Biodegradation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00221-0
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AT jebarajdavidrajaselvam developmentandcharacterizationofstarchbioplasticsasasustainablealternativeforpackaging
AT robertcep developmentandcharacterizationofstarchbioplasticsasasustainablealternativeforpackaging