Biodegradable, physical and microbial analysis of tamarind seed starch infused eco-friendly bioplastics by different percentage of Arjuna powder

Abstract

Global plastic production in increasing rapidly making a big threat to our health and climate. Growing production of petroleum-based plastic is raising issue regarding environment due to their undisposable properties. These issues are encouraging researchers to engage themselves in bioplastic research to invent eco-friendly disposable plastic using natural ingredients. This work aimed to develop environment friendly plastic from low cost natural resource such as tamarind and Arjuna with compatible mechanical, thermal and antimicrobial properties. Bioplastic samples have been synthesized keeping tamarind as base material and changing the percentage of Arjuna. The synthesized plastics have been subjected to biodegradable test, mechanical test, FTIR test, SEM test, XRD test, thermal test and antimicrobial test. Biodegradable test reveals that the samples are biodegradable and the process of biodegradation increases with the increase of time with 73% biodegradation in only 30 days. 5.23 N/mm2 stress is produced from the synthesized bioplastic by tensile test. Presence of functional groups is revealed by FTIR analysis. Only 5% weight loss is observed at above the room temperature by the thermal analysis. Antibacterial tests showed the efficiency of the plastic against virus.

Keywords

• Bioplastic
• Tamarind seed
• Arjuna
• Natural ingredients
• Biocompatibility
• Morphology