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The Feasibility StudyOf Using Nata de Coco As

Material for Biodegradable Plastic

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

I. Introduction

A. Problem

A. Rationale

A. Hypothesis

II. Background of the Study

A. Plastics

A. Nata de Coco

III. Materials and Procedure

V. Result

VI. Discussion

VII. Conclusion

VIII. Recommendation

IX. References

Abstract

Every year, around 500 billion plastic bags are used

worldwide. These plastic bags are synthetic, which means they

are not broken down easily and tend to accumulate in the

environment and cause serious litter problem. Plastic bags are

a true menace to our ecosystems and our waste diversion

goals. Once discarded, they either enter our landfills or our

marine ecosystem.

Being synthetic, plastics do not decompose easily, causing them to be

major land and water pollutants. This study focused on the feasibility of using

Nata de coco, jelly-like fermented coconut water by Acetobacter xylinus, a

microbial cellulose, in the production of biodegradable plastic sheet. This will

eventually help in lessening or removing synthetic waste. Three types of

plastic sheets were made and tested; sheets A, B, and C. The sample were

soak in a mixture of alum and calamansi extract, then sundry A for 40 hours,

setup B for 50 hours ad setup C for 60 hours. Prepared samples were tested

for characteristics such as resistivity, clarity, flammability, strength and

biodegradability. Commercial plastics labeled as setup D were also utilized as

a control setup.

Based on the experiment, it is possible to make a plastic from Nata

de coco. As confirmed by the different test there is no significant

difference between the best made proportion of Nata de coco plastic

sheet, setup C, and the commercially available plastic, setup D except

in the resistivity test. Setup C is less clear than D which is good for

opaque packaging. It is also less flammable and stronger as shown in

the result of the flammability and tensile strength tests. It is also

degradable, lessening the volume of litter.

1 Introduction

1.1 Objective

To create biodegradable plastic out of Nata de coco

To test the feasibility of making plastic out of Nata de coco

1.2 Problem

This study aims to study and test the feasibility of using Nata de coco as an

alternative source of biodegradable plastic?

1.2 Hypothesis

The use of Nata de coco as a source of biodegradable plastic is feasible that we can

use our product in making plastic bag or containers for bottle water and other liquid

drinks.

1.4 Rationale

This research aim to study and test the feasibility of using Nata de

coco as an alternative source of plastic material. Plastic is the common

pollutants and they cannot decomposed easily. This will eventually help

in lessening or removing synthetic waste. Nata de coco can be used as

an alternative material for making plastic just like real plastic instead of

throwing garbage and litter. In Philippines, many of the lakes and rivers,

if not all, are polluted with trash. This causes clogging and in turn floods.

Trash not only heavily affects the Philippines, but other countries as well

like India, America and Mexico.

2 Background Study

Every year, around 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. These plastic bags are synthetic, which means they are not broken down easily and

tend to accumulate in the environment and cause serious litter problem. Plastic bags are a true menace to our ecosystems and our waste diversion

goals. Once discarded, they either enter our landfills or our marine ecosystem. At least 267 species have been scientifically documented to be

adversely affected by plastic marine debris. Plastic bags are considered especially dangerous to sea turtles, who may mistake them for jellyfish, a

main food source. Sea turtles act as grazing animals that cut the grass short and help maintain the health of the sea grass beds. Over the past decades,

there has been a decline in sea grass beds. This decline may be linked to the lower numbers of sea turtles.

Sea grass beds are important because they provide breeding and developmentalgrounds for many species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Without sea grass beds,many marine species humans harvest would be lost, as would the lower levels of thefood chain. The reactions could result in many more marine species being lost andeventually impacting humans. So if sea turtles go extinct, there would be a seriousdecline in sea grass beds and a decline in all the other species dependent upon thegrass beds for survival. All parts of an ecosystem are important, if you lose one, therest will eventually follow.

Since Philippines is the largest coconut-producing in the world (330 millionFilipinos are coconut farmers), more coconut products should be developed. One ofthese is Nata de coco. According to wikipedia.org

Nata de coco is a chewy, translucent, jelly-like foodstuff produced by thefermentation of coconut water, which gels through the production ofmicrobial cellulose by Acetobacter xylinum. Originating in the Philippines,Nata de coco is most commonly sweetened as a candy or dessert, and canaccompany many things including pickles, drinks, ice cream, puddings andfruit mixes.

Commercial nata de coco is made by small farms in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, especially in the Special Region of

Yogyakarta. In the former, it is commonly sold in jars.

The primarily coconut water dessert is produced through a series of steps:

Extraction of coconut water

Fermentation of the coconut water with bacterial cultures

Separating and cutting the produced mat of nata de coco

Cleaning and washing off the acetic acid

Cutting and packaging

Related Study

A study investigated on the Starch-Based Biodegradable Plastics. Research on starch-

based biodegradable plastics began in the 1970's and continues today at the National

Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) in Peoria, IL. Technology has been

developed for producing extrusion blown films and injection molded articles containing

50% and more of starch. Extrusion processing of compositions containing starch and

other natural polymers to provide totally biodegradable plastics is being investigated.

Starch grafted with thermoplastic side chains is under commercial development to

provide injection molded items with a broad range of compositions and properties. The

mechanism of biological degradation and the rate and extent of biodegradation of starch

containing plastics in various environments is studied to enhance development and

acceptance of biodegradable plastics.

Another study was conducted in The University of Queensland making use of Plantic’s

clean technology as raw material in organic plastic manufacturing. Plantic’s plastic is

different. Developed at UQ’s School of

Chemical Engineering by a team led by Professor Peter Halley, this plastic is produced using patented technology that turns corn starch-based formulations into flat plastic sheets that

can then be moulded into biodegradable trays.

In recent study in Brazil: They use range peels could as their material to make a

biodegradable plastic. The technique works by focusing high-powered microwaves on plant-

based material, transforming the tough cellulose molecules of the plant matter into volatile

gases. Those gases are then distilled into a liquid that researchers say can be used to make

plastic. The process works at 90 percent efficiency, and it can be used on a variety of plant

waste beyond orange peels.

Researchers at the University of Antioquia produce Biopolymers made from agro-

industrial wastes of banana and cassava play as a material for the production of

biodegradable plastics. Biopolymers, which are polymers produced by bacteria found

in agro-industrial wastes of banana and cassava, have proved useful for the

production of absorbable suture materials Polymer sutures provide greater tissue

compatibility since they are of biological origin, and can be readily absorbed by the

human body. The study conducted by Professor Mariana Cardona of the Department

of Microbiology at the University of Antioquia has succeeded in using Ralstonia

eutropha bacteria to convert plant waste into biopolymers. The project also intends

to process other substances such as stillage and ethanol waste as well as producing

biopolymers from biodiesel waste.

3 Materials Nata de coco

Calamansi extract

Potash alum

3 pcs - 800 ml beaker

Alcohol lamp

Crucible tong

Multitester

Weighing scale

Filter Paper

Shovel

Soil

Knife

Procedures

4.1 Preparation of samples

A.Prepare three equal samples of nata de coco. Label each setups A, B and C for Nata

de coco.

B. Soak the Nata de coco samples in a mixture of alum, calamansi extract and water

overnight.

C. Sundry setup A for 40 hours, setup B for 50 hours ad setup C for 60 hours.

D. Prepared samples will be tested for characteristics such as resistivity, clarity,

flammability, strength and biodegradability.

E. Commercial plastics labeled as setup D will also undergo the same test and will be

compared to the samples from setups A, B and C.

Figure 1: Materials

Figure 2: Drying the samples

4.2 Resistivity Test

Analyze samples from setups A, B and C with

the use of a multimeter. Perform three trials

for each sample.

Figure 3: Performing the resistivity test

4.3 Clarity Test

Each nata sheets from setups A, B and C will be rated by ten

selected students on a scale of 1 to 5, in which 1 being the lowest

value and 5 being the highest. The following questions will be

considered in rating the samples.

• Are the samples transparent, translucent or opaque?

Can light pass through the samples?

4.4 Flammability Test

Place samples from setups A, B, C and D in watch glass and

ignite each sample. Perform three trials for each sample. Record

the time it took for each samples to burn.

Figure 4: Performing the flammability test

4.5 Tensile Strength Test

Using two spring balances, hook it 1 inch away from the nonadjacent edges of the nata sheet in

each setups. Perform three trials in each samples.

4.6 Biodegradability Test

Prepare the Nata sheets from each setup. Record the mass of each sample. Put each sample 7

inches below the ground in different holes. Dug out the samples after 10 days and record their

masses.

Figure 5: Performing the Biodegradability test

5 Results

5.1 Resistivity Test

Table A below shows the results of the resistivity test conducted in each Nata sheet samples.

Table A. Comparison of electrical resistivity of Nata sheets from setups A, B and C in ohms (Ω)

Trial Setup Setup Setup

A B C

1 1100 2000 2500

2 1300 1000 3000

3 1200 3000 3500

5.2 Clarity Test

Table B below shows the result of the rating done by the ten students on the nata sheets and commercially available plastic.

Table B. Comparison of the clarity rating of setups A, B, C and D

Respondents A B C D

1 3 5 4 5

2 2 3 5 5

3 3 3 4 5

4 3 3 2 5

5 2 5 3 5

6 3 3 5 5

7 2 3 4 5

8 3 5 4 5

9 3 4 5 5

10 3 3 5 5

5.3 Flammability Test

Table C below shows the result on the flammability test conducted in each nata samples.

Table C. Comparison of the flammability rate of setups A, B, C and D in seconds (sec)

Trial Setup A Setup B Setup C Setup D

1 45 27 48 4

2 58 48 83 4

3 45 51 81 5

5.4 Tensile Strength Test

Table D below shows the comparison of the tensile strength test conducted in nata samples from each setups.

Table D. Comparison of the tensile strength of setups A, B, C and D in Newton (N)

Trial Setup A Setup B Setup C Setup D

1 3.2 3.5 6.1 3.1

2 3.1 4.0 6.3 2.9

3 3.6 3.6 6.2 3.0

5.5 Biodegradability Test

Table E below shows the masses of the samples before the biodegradability test while table F shows the results in the change in mass of the samples after it was placed for 10 days below the ground.

Table E. Comparison of the masses before the biodegradability test of setups A, B, C and D in grams (g)

Trial Setup A Setup B Setup C Setup D

1 2.1 1.5 1.45 3

2 2 2.2 1.5 3

3 2 1.7 1.5 3

Table F. Comparison of the change in mass of setups A, B, C and D in grams (g)

Trial Setup A Setup B Setup C Setup D

X1 X2 (X1 –X2) X1 X2 (X1 – X2) X1 X2 (X1 – X2) X1 X2 (X1 – X2)

1 2.1 1 1.1 1.5 0 1.55 1.45 0 1.45 3 3 0

2 2 1 1 2.2 1.8 0.4 1.5 0 1.5 3 3 0

3 2 1.1 0.9 1.7 0 1.7 1.5 0 1.5 3 3 0

6 DiscussionsA. Resistivity Test

Setup C exhibited electrical resistance with the mean value of

3000 Ω. Commercially available plastic D has the electrical resistance of ∞. It meanscommercially available plastic is still the better insulator compared to the product.

B. Clarity Test

Based on the results, setup C sample exhibited the characteristic which is similar to that of setupD which is good for packaging purposes.

C. Flammability Test

Based on the results shown in table C, the nata sheet samples are less flammable compared tocommercially available plastics.

D. Tensile Strength Test

Based on the results shown in table D. Setup C exhibited characteristics of a good material thatcan withstand stress before breaking. It got better outcome as compared to the commerciallyavailable plastic.

E. Biodegradability Test

Based on the results presented in table F, the nata sheet samples are degradable as shown in the changes in mass of each sample.

7 Conclusions

Based on the properties that a plastic possesses, it is possible

to make a plastic from Nata de coco. As confirmed by the

different test there is no significant difference between the

best made proportion of Nata de coco plastic sheet, setup C,

and the commercially available plastic, setup D except in the

resistivity test. Setup C is less clear than D which is good for

opaque packaging. It is also less flammable and stronger as

shown in the result of the flammability and tensile strength

tests. It is also degradable, lessening the volume of litter.

8 Recommendations

Based on the result of our experiment we then recommend the following:

1. Research additional test to confirm the feasibility of using Nata de coco as an alternative material for plastic.

2. Make a plastic bag from prepared Nata de coco

3. Use another coconut based product as a starting material for plastic.

9 ReferencesResearch:

• USDA Research on Starch-Based Biodegradable Plastics by William M. Doane Ph.D

• Orange peels could be made into biodegradable plastic by Bryan Nelson

• Biopolymers by Professor Mariana Cardona of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Antioquia

• The Effects of Flavonoids on heavy metals tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings by: Keilig and Wig-Muller, 2009

Internet:

• http://www.uq.edu.au/research/research-at-uq/biodegradable-plastic

• http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/star.

• http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/orange-peels-could-be-made-into-biodegradable-plastic bstract

• http://www.midmichiganspe.org/pdfs/documents/testing.pdf

• http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ie50322a010

• http://www.astm.org/STATQA/FlamPlas.htm

• http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/42317/metro-manila-produces-a-fourth-of-philippine

Book:

Guevarra, Beatrice, Q., et. al. 2004. A Guidebook to Plant Screening: Phytochemical and Biological, Research Center for the Natural Sciences, University of Santo Thomas, Manila.