Valorización de los residuos de Ullucus tuberosus (Caldas 1809) y Colocasia esculenta ((l) Schott 1832), como materia prima para la elaboración de material plástico biodegradable

Abstract

The aim of this research was to estimate ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus) and malanga (Colacasia esculenta) residues for the production of biodegradable plastic material. By means of the 2k design, the best starch extraction treatment was obtained, then it was necessary to carry out the characterization of the starch by determining its solubility, pH, viscosity, gelatinization temperature, fiber, amylose, amylopectin, fungi, yeasts, molds and total coliforms. For the plastic material processing, additivessuch as water, glycerin, starch and graphene oxide were added for 6 proposed treatments in which the graphene oxide was progressively dosed from 0.5 to 3 mL; then the plastic sheets obtained were tested in a physical and mechanical way with the use of a completely randomized design in order to determine the graphene oxide adjustment point at which the plastic presents better results in each traction test according to INEN 2635 (Ecuadorian Standardization Service). Regarding biodegradability, IMAGEJ program was used. As a result, a starch yield of 3.55% for ulluco and 9.16% for malanga was determined; as for its characterization, all the established parameters were achieved. Regarding physical and mechanical tests of bioplastic, T4 (treatment 4) was defined as the best treatment. For biodegradability, an average result of 89.34% for olluco and 89.47% for malanga was obtained in water during a 30-day period. It was concluded that the bioplastic presents great advantages due to its degradability time compared with synthetic plastic. In addition, the amount of graphene oxide added is directly related to the quality of the biodegradable plastic material. Finally, it is recommended to use the residues generated during the starch extraction as compost.