VISUAL COMPARISON OF CORN STARCH BIOPLASTIC WITH AND WITHOUT THE ADDITION OF BANANA PSEUDOCELLULOSE

Abstract

The study of the production of corn starch bioplastic is an alternative to replacing films or plastics originating from non-biodegradable and non-renewable sources, so the objective of this article is to analyze the potential optimization of biofilms using cornstarch as the main ingredient and disseminate alternative methodology for extracting cellulosic fibers from banana pseudostem, in order to achieve a bioplastic with better mechanical resistance and durability. The pseudostem was subjected to the process of cutting, drying, grinding, bleaching, steam explosion at 115 Pascal and 200 ºC and acid hydrolysis with oxalic acid, in order to obtain a fine particulate material. The process of adding cellulosic material to corn starch was carried out with 1.0 grams and 0.5 grams of cellulosic fibers and with levels of 4% and 5% cornstarch. In the end, a rigid plastic film with greater hardness and resistance was obtained with 1.0 grams of fiber and 5% corn starch compared to the film without the addition of cellulose fibers.