REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region V (Bicol)
Schools Division of Ligao
BICOL REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Tuburan, Ligao City
TEL: (052)7360019 (052)7360031 E-Mail: bicolrshs@[Link] Website: [Link]
Development of Bioplastic using Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Starch
and Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Fiber Cellulose
Fiona Yvonne N. Benosa
Keisha S. Gandia
Hannah R. Regaya
Deanna Deannise R. Revale
Mariel Antonette R. Torres
Research IV
Ms. Noemie Marabella
Research Adviser
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Background of the Study . . . . . . . 3
Statement of the Problem . . . . . . . 4
Statement of the Hypothesis . . . . . . . 5
Scope and Delimitation . . . . . . . 5
Significance of the Study . . . . . . . 5
Review of Related Literature 7
Related Literature . . . . . . . 7
Related Studies . . . . . . . 8
Gap Bridge by the Study . . . . . . . 10
Definition of Terms . . . . . . . 10
Conceptual Framework . . . . . . . 12
Methodology 13
Research Design . . . . . . . 13
Research Methodology . . . . . . . 13
Data Gathering Procedure . . . . . . . 14
Statistical Tools . . . . . . . 15
Results and Discussion 16
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation 18
Summary . . . . . . . . . . 18
Conclusion . . . . . . . 18
Recommendation . . . . . . . 20
References 21
Appendix 25
Appendix A . . . . . . . . . 25
Appendix B . . . . . . . . . 27
3
Development of Bioplastic using Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Starchand Coconut
(Cocos nucifera) Fiber Cellulose
In the year 1950, the massive production of plastics began, leading to the creation of
more than 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic, only 9% of which has been recycled. The majority
of these plastics have accumulated in landfills or somewhere in the environment. Despite the
rampant production, only 30%, roughly 2.5 billion metric tons, are currently being used.
Nearly half of the polymer plastics become packaging materials and majority of these were
acquired and discarded within the same year. If current trends on the production, use and
waste management of these plastics consistently continue, an estimated 12 billion metric
tons of plastics is expected to end up as plastic wastes by 2050 (Geyer, R., et al., 2017).
Plastics have been a convenient material to us throughout the years, in many
aspects of our lives, due to its many functions and reliable properties. Despite this, plastics
are still one of the underlying causes of most environmental problems around the world. It is
already common knowledge that petroleum-based plastics are one of the major contributors
to greenhouse gas emissions, since it is derived from fossil resources. Due to this, several
studies on environmental-friendly alternatives for petroleum-based plastics called bioplastics
were conducted.
Bioplastics are in trend since they are made from renewable resources and are
biodegradable. These products are manufactured to be biodegradable with similar
functionality to that of conventional plastics. They can be derived from biopolymers such as
polysaccharides including starch, cellulose and chitin which are commonly used in
synthesizing biomaterials (Shafqat, A.,et al,2020).
Starch is regarded as one of the best biopolymers since it is renewable and it can
be easily chemically modified. It can be obtained from various plant sources including, corns,
potatoes, wheat, sweet potatoes which are some of the majorly used starch in biopolymers .
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, The Bicol Region has been the leading
producer of sweet potato in the Philippines with a contribution of 48.88 thousand metric tons,
31% of the total sweet potato produced during the months of April to June 2021.
4
Sweet potato is an excellent source of starch, having about 50-80% of starch content on a
dry basis. Although promising, the effectiveness of starch is limited due to its fragility and
brittleness. Hence, it is incorporated with reinforcements and plasticizers to further improve
its properties as a plastic.
Cellulose is composed of unbranched, linear glucose chains with rich
intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which gives it good mechanical
performance and makes it suitable in decreasing the limitations of starch in terms of its
properties. Coconut fiber is the most well-known fibrous waste from coconuts cultivation.
About 30 million tons of coconut is produced around the world, mostly in tropical countries
every year (Gaspar and Florindo, 2020). The Philippines is the second largest coconut
producer next to Indonesia. As of 2020, around 14.49 million tons were produced,
generating a lot of waste in the form of coconut husks. Coconut fiber (coir) is composed of
36-43% cellulose, 0.1-0.2% hemi-cellulose and 41-45% lignin. The cellulose can be
extracted using two methods: alkaline treatment to remove the hemi-cellulose and some
lignin, and bleaching treatment to completely get rid of the remaining lignin.
The expansion and development of bioplastics and their products would lead to the
increase of sustainability of the environment and reduction in the emission of greenhouse
gases. For that reason, considering the utilization of renewable resources to produce
bioplastics would create a positive effect on the environment. This study strives to develop
bioplastics by utilizing the starch of sweet potatoes and the cellulose of coconut fiber (coir)
to replace the commercial plastics that are harmful to the environment.
Statement of the Problem
The study aims to produce renewable, biodegradable bioplastics by utilizing
coconut fiber (coir) cellulose and sweet potato starch to replace natural gas, coal, and
petroleum-based plastics that are non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment. It
specifically targets to answer the following:
5
1. What is the performance of each set-up in terms of the following parameters?
a. Tensile Strength
b. Water Absorption
c. Biodegradability
2. What is the most effective proportion of coconut fiber cellulose (CFC) to sweet
potato starch in the development of the bioplastic?
a. Set up A: 10% CFC per gram of starch
b. Set up B: 20% CFC per gram of starch
c. Set up C: 30% CFC per gram of starch
*Adapted from Eucalyptus wood nanofibrils as reinforcement of carrageenan and starch biopolymers for
improvement of physical properties (2018)
3. Is there a significant difference in the observed parameters between each set-up?
Statement of the Hypothesis
• Null Hypothesis: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) starch and Coconut fiber (coir)
cellulose cannot be used in the development of bioplastic.
• Operational Hypothesis: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) starch and Coconut fiber
(coir) cellulose can be used in the development of bioplastic.
Scope and Delimitations
The general aim of this study is to develop bioplastic using coconut fiber cellulose
and sweet potato starch, that can be of use for manufacturers and consumers. However, the
study will only assess certain parameters for the characterization of the bioplastic such as
the water absorption, biodegradability, and tensile strength, which were determined by the
researchers.
Significance of the Study
This study is expected to create a positive impact on the following groups and institutions:
1. General Community
● Develop an eco-friendly packaging as a substitute to the commercial plastic
bag.
6
2. Biologists
● Empower the community to come up with an idea about bioplastics as a
renewable source of packaging production.
● Promote the significance of utilizing organic substances as an efficient
source of packaging.
3. Manufacturers
● Be of use as a packaging for production of goods.
4. Department of Science and Technology
● This study can contribute to the knowledge of the agency on how to alleviate
plastic pollution and reduce toxic waste.
5. Consumers
● Encourage consumers to use environment-friendly bioplastics when buying
in markets and other errands.
6. Environment
● Reduce the consumption of non-renewable sources that cause major
environmental problems.
● Lessen toxic waste.
7. Teachers and Educators
● Educate learners to be aware of the capability of cellulose and starch from
organic materials to be utilized as a good bioplastic component.
8. Students and Learners
● Acquire wisdom about coconut fiber cellulose (coir) and sweet potato starch
being good and effective materials in the production of bioplastics.
9. Future Researchers
● Learn about the idea of bioplastics from waste organic products.
● Have the potential to make other studies inspired by the bioplastic thereof.
7
Review of Related Literature
Related Literature
Starch, a polysaccharide, is the most abundant storage reserve carbohydrate in
plants. The crops are harvested at full maturity, washed, and ground. The starch granules
will settle in water due to their higher density. One of the sources of starch is the root crop
sweet potato, which contains 50-80% of starch on a dry basis. Its structure is mainly
composed of two kinds of polymers, amylose, and amylopectin.. Amylose and amylopectin
affect the hydrophilic behavior of bioplastics, amylose forms a colloidal dispersion in hot
water, whereas amylopectin is completely insoluble. Sweet potato starch is normally
composed of 20– 30% linear and slightly branched amylose and 70–80% highly branched
amylopectin with a large molar mass.
Polymers undergo plasticization to modify their thermal and mechanical properties.
Materials like plastics use plasticizers to improve the flexibility and reduce its viscosity and
brittleness. Plasticizers work by embedding themselves between the chains of polymers,
spacing them apart, or swelling them to reduce the strong attraction between polymer chains,
thus lowering the glass transition temperature of the polymer, and forming a soft,
homogeneous physical unit. the most commonly used plasticizers, glycerol and sorbitol,
which are widely used because of their stable and non-toxic [Link] reduce
fragility, increase film flexibility and durability, especially if at low temperatures. Both
plasticizers are hydrophilic properties which are easily soluble in water.
Cellulose is one of the most abundant natural polymers used in the production of
bioplastics. It is a fibrous, insoluble polysaccharide responsible for stabilizing plant cells.
Natural plant fibers are composed of cellulose fibers, consisting of helically wound cellulose
microfibrils, bound together by an amorphous lignin matrix. Lignin keeps the water in fibers,
acts as a protection against biological attack and as a stiffener to give the stem its resistance
against gravity forces and wind. Hemicellulose found in the natural fibers is believed to be a
compatibilizer between cellulose and lignin. Coconut fiber (coir) is mostly composed of 36-
8
43% cellulose, 0.1-0.2% hemi-cellulose and 41-45% lignin. Unlike cellulose, hemi-cellulose
and lignin are soluble in an alkaline solution.
Alkaline treatment is one of the most commonly used chemical methods in terms of
removing certain amounts of lignin, hemi-cellulose, wax and oils that cover the external
surface of the natural fibers. Bleaching or scouring treatment is used on the fibers after
alkaline treatment. In this case, the neutralization is not necessary to make it on alkali-
treated fibers. The bleaching treatment modifies the surface adhesion between matrix and
fiber by removing residual lignin. Moreover, good bleaching results in an absence of lignin,
which means that cellulose is the principal component of the fiber after this treatment.
Vinegar is a 6% solution of acetic acid which is produced by the fermentation of
ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. It is considered as the most easily available mild acid. It is
important in the production of bioplastics since in small amounts, vinegar can aid in the
process of breaking down the cellulose and starch, due to ions reacting with the polymers
and making them disordered more easily in the solution. This disorder, resulting from the
disruption by the water and the ionization by the acetic acid, makes the resulting cast film
more homogenous.
Related Studies
In the study of Abdullah et al.,(2019), aimed to investigate the utilization of sweet
potato sourced from Indonesia as a base material of bioplastic and its characteristics for
food packaging application, the bioplastics were prepared by mixing starch with glycerol
using different starch: glycerol w/w ratio (2.5:1, 2.75:1, 3:1 and 3.5:1). The physical and
mechanical properties were evaluated by measuring the density, tensile strength and
elongation at break and the biodegradability of each bioplastic was investigated with the aid
of enzymatic degradation by [Link] results show that the highest sweet potato
starch:glycerol ratio showed the fastest enzymatic degradation which indicates that sweet
potato is a good base material for bioplastic production.
9
To get the tensile strength of a material, a tension test is performed. Tensile strength
analysis is needed to determine the strength of bioplastics against forces originating from
outside. Tensile strength is the maximum force that can be held by bioplastics which is
affected by the addition of plastic material. Appropriate optimization techniques are needed
to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of product development. Hales et al., mentioned,
in their study, Assessing the accuracy of simple field based root strength measurements,
that field-based, spring scale method produces results that are indistinguishable from those
of more precise universal testing machines.
Biodegradation product testing, when intended for product claims related to
biodegradability, should incorporate several factors of the product’s actual performance.
Substances released during biodegradation cannot be lost by leaching because the system
is closed and hence any solid or liquid substance formed during biodegradation is either
degraded or it builds up in the test system. If any substance that could affect soil activity
were produced, this would be detected on the basis of test sensitivity. In a soil burial test
conducted by Nissa, et al.,(2019), the bioplastic films were cut into small strips (1x1 cm).
The films were buried under compost soil at 7.5 cm depth, then incubated at room
temperature for 10 days with sampling time every two days. The buried samples were then
cleaned from the soil and weighed.
Water absorption is one of the importance aspects to be considered in producing
bioplastic. Water absorption test is used to determine the amount of water absorbed under
specified conditions. In the study of Ismail & Zaaba, water absorption was determined by
placing films in distilled water at room temperature (25C). After 24 h (equilibrium), moisture
on the surface of the films was removed and the weight of the films was measured. The
percentage of water absorption (Wa) of the films was calculated.
10
Gap Bridged by the Study
Many years of plastic disposal have led to various environmental problems, affecting
humanity. It is due to the harmful materials that they are made of such as petroleum and
coal, making them non-biodegradable. It has long been threatening the environment. This
study aims to prevent this issue by utilizing Coconut (Cocos nucifera) cellulose and Sweet
Potato (Ipomoea batatas) starch to produce bioplastics that would be beneficial to both the
environment and human beings. With the common knowledge from the collection of related
studies and articles, using the cellulose of Coconut Fiber (coir) and Sweet Potato starch as
the raw materials in producing bioplastics, this study would produce a renewable, and
biodegradable plastic that would be convenient to use, and would be able to replace the
non-biodegradable plastics that cause pollution and increase greenhouse gas emission.
Definition of Terms
1. Cellulose
• An insoluble polysaccharide composed of a linear chain of β-1;4 linked d
glucose units with degree of polymerization which makes it the most abundant
organic polymer on Earth
• A raw material which is extracted from coconut fiber to be utilized in the study.
2. Starch
• The second most abundant polymer on earth comprising glucose monomers joined
in α 1, 4 linkages and the storage reserve of carbohydrates in plants
• A raw material extracted from sweet potatoes which is utilized in the study.
3. Coconut Fiber (coir)
• The fibrous material that constitutes the thick mesocarp (middle layer) of the coconut.
• The source of cellulose in the study.
4. Sweet Potato
• A tuberous-rooted perennial usually grown annually.
• The crop which is the source of starch in the study.
11
5. Bioplastic
• A type of plastic derived from natural and renewable biomass sources.
• The targeted output of the study.
6. Alkaline Treatment
• It is a method wherein natural fiber is immersed in a strong aqueous solution, such
as NaOH, Li OH, or KOH to create resultant changes in the properties of the
biomass.
• A process used in the study to remove some lignin and hemi-cellulose present in the
coconut fiber.
7. Bleaching Treatment
• A process of whitening of fibers usually carried out by chemicals selected according
to the chemical composition of the fibers.
• A process applied in the coconut fiber after alkaline treatment to remove excess
lignin.
8. Tensile Strength
• The resistance of a material to lengthwise stress, measured by the greatest load in
weight per unit area pulling in the direction of length that a given substance can
bear without tearing apart.
• A mechanical property which is used to measure the resistance of the bioplastic to
break under tension.
12
Conceptual Framework
Figure 1
Conceptual Paradigm
13
Methodology
Research Design
Experimental research method was applied as the research design of the
quantitative study since it requires collecting and analyzing data to provide unbiased and
valid results to satisfy the objectives of the research. The main target is to be able to
produce bioplastics with the use of starch from sweet potato, and cellulose from coconut
fiber (coir) to reduce the demand for non-renewable sources in plastic production. This
study will assess the properties of each bioplastic on the chosen parameters such as, its
tensile strength, water absorption and biodegradability to determine the best proportion of
coir cellulose and sweet potato starch that is suitable for production.
Research Methodology
Several methods were done to develop bioplastics from coconut fiber cellulose and
sweet potato starch.
Gathering of Raw Materials
The coconut fibers were collected from the coconut husk gathered from one
of the researchers’ backyard. The sweet potato starch and other materials including
the sodium hydroxide solution, hydrogen peroxide, glucose and distilled water were
purchased from a local market where it is available.
Coir cellulose extraction
The fibers were washed with tap water to remove impurities before sun
drying it. The researchers will proceed in grinding the fibers into fine powder using a
hammer mill. The fine powder was soaked for 6 hours at room temperature in a 5%
sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution with a liquor to fiber ratio of 15:1. After that, it
was filtered using a cloth and distilled water to rinse the excess NaOH until it
reached a neutral pH level of 7. The alkaline treated fibers were bleached in a 6%
hydrogen peroxide (N2O2) solution at 70 °C for 90 minutes while maintaining a pH
level of 11 using the NaOH solution. The ratio of fiber to solution is 20:1. Finally, it
14
was filtered with distilled water until neutral pH was obtained; it was dried prior to
the production of the bioplastic samples.
Sweet potato starch extraction
The sweet potatoes were peeled and grated before blending it with distilled
water with the ratio of 1:2 respectively. After mixing, the starch was separated using
a cheesecloth and was sun dried until the excess water was removed.
Bioplastic production
For each bioplastic set-up, sweet potato starch was mixed with distilled water
on a hot plate. The plasticizer will then be added to the mixture with 10%, 20%, and
30% (w/w) per g of starch, respectively. After that, 5 ml of vinegar and 5 ml of
glycerol was also added to the solution and stirred until the solution became clear in
appearance. Each solution was casted in parchment paper and was air dried for 48
hours.
Data Gathering Procedure
The bioplastic samples for each set-up were assessed by the researchers
themselves for the following parameters: tensile strength, water absorption and
biodegradability with several studies discussed below as the guides in conducting the tests.
Tensile strength
The tensile strength of each set-up was identified through a tension test that
was based on the procedures of Harris et al. Bulldog clips were used as grips and a
spring scale was used to measure the force applied. Five samples of 20mm
wide,150 mm long and < 1 mm thick were cut from each set-up, in accordance with
the standards of ISO 527. One of the clips was placed on a nail which was
hammered into a wood to serve as the fixed member while the other was hooked to
the spring scale to serve as the movable member. The samples were placed to the
grips individually, then the spring scale was slowly pulled until the sample ripped
apart. the tensile strength was obtained using the following formula:
15
�����(�)
������� �������ℎ (���) = × 10−6 ���
����� − ��������� ���� (�2)
Water absorption test
The water absorption rate of each bioplastic set-up was measured using the
standard testing method, ASTM D570 and the procedure of Ismail et al. Five
samples with 75 mm length, 25 mm width and a thickness of < 3 mm were prepared
for each set-up. These samples were weighed before being submerged with 200 ml
distilled water for 24 hours at room temperature. The moisture on the surface of the
samples was removed and the weight measured to obtain the final [Link] water
absorbed was measured through the increase in weight using the equation:
������� ����ℎ� (�) − ��� ����ℎ� (�)
�������� �� ����ℎ� (%) = × 100
��� ����ℎ� (�)
Biodegradability
The biodegradability of each set-up was determined using soil burial test
conducted by Nissa, R.C et al.(2019) with a slight modification. A 20 x 20 mm
bioplastic sample was cut from each set-up which was buried in composite soil with
a depth of 7.5 cm for 7 days. The weight of each sample was measured prior to the
test. The buried samples will then be cleaned and weighed again when the assigned
period of time ends The degradation rate was calculated using the formula:
������� ����ℎ� − ����� ����ℎ�
����ℎ� ���� (%) = × 100
������� ����ℎ�
Statistical Tools
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was the statistical method used in the study. Analysis
of variance refers to a group of statistical models and their associated estimation
procedures that are used to examine the differences between group means in a sample. It
was used to test the significance of each parameter chosen in the study. A p value less than
0.05 (p < 0.05) and an F value greater than the F critical value will be considered as
statistically significant.
16
Results and Discussion
Tensile Strength
Figure 2
Tensile Strength of Different Set-ups
Figure 1 shows the tensile strength of set-ups A, B and C with set-up B having the
highest tensile strength of 2.92 MPa followed by set-up C with a tensile strength of 2.4
MPa. Although the tensile strength of the control is higher than set- up A, it can still be
inferred that the addition of coconut fiber cellulose helped in improving the tensile
strength of bioplastics.
17
Water Absorption
Table 1
Results of the Water Absorption Test (ASTM D570)
Average weight of five samples
Increase in
Set-ups Before water absorption test (g) After water absorption test (g) weight (%)
Set-up A 0.52 0.8168 57.07
Set-up B 0.73 1.1542 58.11
Set-up C 0.43 0.6748 56.93
In table 1, it can be observed that the amount of water absorbed by set-ups A, B
and C is more than 50%. Set-up B has the highest increase in weight with 58.11%
followed by Set-up A. Set-up C has shown the lowest increase in weight.
Biodegradability Test
Table 2
Results of Set-ups A, B and C in Soil Burial Test
Average weight of five samples
Weight Loss
Set-ups Before burial to the ground (g) After burial to the ground (g) (%)
Set-up A 0.115 0.105 8.7
Set-up B 0.085 0.057 32.94
Set-up C 0.120 0.087 27.5
The results above shows that Set-up B showed the highest value in terms of
biodegradability with 32.94% of decrease in its weight after the soil burial test. On the
other hand, Set-up A showed the least amount of weight loss with 8.7%.
18
Conclusion and Recommendation
Summary
This study is focused on evaluating the potential of Sweet Potato Starch and
Coconut Fiber Coir in the development of bioplastics.
Three set-ups of sweet potato starch to coconut fiber ratio were produced and tested
for its chemical and mechanical properties. Each set-ups varied in set-up A (30g starch, 2g
cellulose, 180ml distilled water, 5ml glycerin and 5ml vinegar), set-up B (30g starch, 4g
cellulose, 180ml of distilled water, 5ml glycerin and 5ml vinegar) and set-up C (30g starch,
6g cellulose, 180ml of distilled water, 5ml of glycerin and 5ml of vinegar). Tension test,
water absorption, and soil burial test were conducted to observe the mechanical and
chemical properties of each set-ups. One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to
analyze the data gathered from the test.
The results showed that set-up B obtained the most significant difference in terms of
its tensile strength, water absorption, and biodegradability.
Conclusion
Based on the results of the testing made by the researchers, the research team
reached a number of conclusions regarding the alterations that occurred on the produced
bioplastics.
1. What is the performance of each set-up in terms of the following parameters?
a. Tensile Strength
Among all the set-ups, Set-up B (2.92 MPa) had the best result, next is Set-
up C (2.4 MPa) with only a little difference, and then Set-up A (1.506 MPa).
19
b. Water Absorption
Results show that Set-up B has the highest percentage on water absorption
of 58.11%. It is followed by Set-up A with 57.07% and Set-up C having the
lowest water absorption percentage of 56.93%.
c. Biodegradability
Set-up B, which has 20% CFC per gram of starch, had the highest
percentage in terms of biodegradability (32.94%), followed by Set-up C (27.5%),
then Set-up A (8.7%), thus making Set-up B the most effective.
2. What is the most effective proportion of coconut fiber cellulose (CFC) to sweet
potato starch in the development of the bioplastic?
The most effective proportion of coconut fiber cellulose (CFC) to sweet potato
starch is the Set-up B since it has the highest value of 2.92 MPa for the tensile strength
and it showed an excellent degradation among the three set-ups with 32.94% of weight
loss after 7 days of burial.
3. Is there a significant difference in the observed parameters between each set-up?
Yes, the one-way ANOVA, of the set-ups for the tensile strength implies that
there is a significant difference among the set-ups since 0.005579, the p value obtained,
is less than the significance level which is 0.05. Furthermore, the set-ups also showed
an f value of 8.25 which is greater than the obtained f critical value of 3.89. However, in
terms of the water absorption of the set-ups, the ANOVA implied that there was no
significant difference among the set-ups due to the p value being greater than the
significance level.
Nevertheless, this still to show that adding cellulose at an optimum amount of
20% per gram of starch can improve the tensile strength, biodegradability and water
absorption of bioplastics. Yet, continuous addition of its amount can make the bioplastic
rougher and lessen the effectiveness of the in terms of the parameters given.
20
Recommendation
Further experimentation must be conducted for the purpose of determining the
properties of the bioplastics that were made. It would be much more credible if the
bioplastics were sent to a reliable testing center.
Furthermore, the researchers could conduct the experimentation in a science
laboratory with complete science apparatus that are necessary for the research. It would be
a lot easier and less time-consuming to buy the raw materials i.e., coconut fiber husks
rather than to manually shred it. In addition, they could find other related studies in order to
fortify the credibility of the research and to allow comparison between the results from the
Sweet Potato Starch and Coconut fiber bioplastic to the standard range value of the
commercialized bioplastics.
Since the study is solely focused on the production of biodegradable plastic from
Sweet potato and Coconut fiber, further studies may consider the reinforcement of the
product that could strengthen the properties and effectiveness of the plastic produced.
Moreover, the results obtained in this study may be used as a basis for future conduct of
similar studies.
21
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Appendix A: Statistical Analysis
Tensile Strength
Anova: Single Factor
SUMMARY
Groups Count Sum Average Variance
SET UP A 5 7.53 1.506 0.18713
SET UP B 5 14.6 2.92 0.372
SET UP C 5 12 2.4 0.3712
ANOVA
Source of Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit
Between Groups 5.11505 2 2.55752 8.247159 0.00557 3.88529
3 7 61 9 4
Within Groups 3.72132 12 0.31011
Total 8.83637 14
3
P value=0.005579 is less than α=0.05, reject the null hypothesis. Therefore there is a
significant difference among the three set-ups.
F value=8.25 is greater than F crit.=3.89, reject the null hypothesis. Therefore there is a
significant difference.
26
Water Absorption
Anova: Single
Factor
SUMMARY
Groups Count Sum Average Variance
SET UP A 5 2.8976 0.57952 0.000816
SET UP B 5 2.8958 0.57916 0.000413
SET UP C 5 2.9238 0.58476 0.006728
ANOVA
Source of Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit
Between Groups 9.82E-05 2 4.91E-05 0.018518 0.981681 3.885294
Within Groups 0.031833 12 0.002653
Total 0.031931 14
P value=0.98 is greater than α=0.05, reject the operational hypothesis. Therefore there is
no significant difference among the three set-ups.
F value=0.019 is greater than F crit.=3.89, reject the operational hypothesis. Therefore there
is no significant difference.
27
Appendix B: Documentation
i. Preparation of Raw Materials
The researchers used a kilogram of sweet potatoes and chopped it into small pieces.
The coconut fiber coir the researchers gathered was pulverised using a hammer mill.
Actual pulverised coconut fiber coir used in the study.
28
ii. Extraction of Starch and Cellulose
Blending of sweet potato Extraction of starch Sun Drying the Sweet potato
starch
The pulverised coconut fiber coir is Bleaching Treatment
is soaked in sodium hydroxide for 12
hours.
29
iii. Producing the Bioplastic Samples
30
Set-up A Set-up B Set-up C
iv. Testing
Biodegradability Test
Set-up A
Set-up C
Control
Set-up B
31
Water Absorption Test
Tensile Strength
