Characterization Properties of Banana Peel as a Promising Alternative for Bioplastic

Abstract

The increasing use of conventional plastic has been creating some big problems, ranging from the oil crisis as a raw material for plastic production and the accumulation of unbiodegradable plastic waste on the earth. One of the promising measures to handle the problem is the use of environmentally–friendly biodegradable plastic, made from renewable materials. The aim of this project is to characterize the properties of bio-plastic from banana peel. The process begins with the extraction of pectin from banana peel with hydrochloric acid and followed by the addition of water, CaSO4, tapioca starch, acetic acid, glycerin to form plastic. The analysis of pectin extract gave 8.3 % pectin yield, 29 % water content, 10 % ash content, 4.9 % metoxyl content, 50 % galacturonic acid content,and 13.8 % degree of esterification. The plastic obtained after the following process had the thickness of 0.28 mm, the water absorption capability of 53.8 %, and it was biodegradable with certain characteristics.