Utilization of White Yam (Dioscorea rotunda) in Bioplastic Production

Abstract

This research aimed to utilize white yam starch in the production of bioplastic. In bioplastic production, the two main ingredients are starch and glycerin. This study aims to determine the amount or proportion of glycerin that would yield the best bioplastic prototype. In addition, some properties of the produced bioplastics, such as water absorption, tensile strength, and biodegradability, were analyzed. The research method used was experimental, which consisted of five treatments with three replications: Treatment A - With 5 ml glycerin; Treatment B - With 10 ml glycerin; Treatment C - With 15 ml glycerin; Treatment D - With 20 ml glycerin; and Treatment E - With 25 ml glycerin. The water absorption of the bioplastic from white yams was measured using the water absorption test to determine how much the bioplastic absorbs water. The tensile strength of the bioplastic was measured to determine how much longitudinal stress it can bear without tearing apart. The biodegradability of the bioplastic was investigated in a controlled environment, and was carried out using the soil burial test method. The best bioplastic prototype produced is using the 10 ml glycerin added to 15 grams of white yam starch.