Obtención de bioplástico a partir del almidón de papa (Solanum tuberosum) y yuca (Manihot esculenta) para uso como envoltura de alimentos

Abstract

The objective of this research investigation was to obtain a bioplastic formula from potato starch (Solanum tuberosum) and cassava (Manihot esculenta) to be used as a food wrap. The raw material from which the starch was obtained was 10 kg of potatoes and cassava using the method of natural settling. Subsequently, the physical-chemical, mechanical, and Biodegradability characterization was checked for its use as a food wrap. To obtain the bioplastic, four formulations were proposed based on experimental sampling and the bioplastics obtained were through the 2^2 factorial design the same ones that were tested physically. It included thickness analysis, which was determined according to the Ecuadorian technical standard INEN 2542; moisture content which was determined using established techniques of ICONTEC, 2002; Biodegradability was determined in accordance with ASTM D-5488-94d; permeability was determined based on the standard ASTM E96, and for the mechanical property a tensile test was performed. The mean value of potato starch yield was 12.6% and for cassava 18.0%. The characterization of potato and cassava starch showed the best yield in treatment T1 with 13.08% and 19.25% respectively, because, it presented a better translucent appearance, good stability, and a smooth texture. The biodegradation analysis of the bioplastic tested in an anaerobic medium showed the best degradation (95.50%) at an average of 42 days. Thus, contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution and complying with the established standard EN 13432. Therefore, this bioplastic shows the result of pilot research for its use in food packaging as an alternative to replacing synthetic plastic covers or bags, because it increases the shelf life of fruits for a longer period of time, until 15 days.