MAKE BIOPLASTIC FROM TAPIOCA STARCH - MARINE ENVIRONMENT BIOTECHNOLOGY (BIOPLASTIC MINI PROJECT)

Summary

This video script introduces a DIY method to create biodegradable tapioca plastic using kitchen ingredients like starch, water, vinegar, glycerin, and food coloring. It explains the chemical process, including the use of vinegar to linearize the starch polymer and glycerin for flexibility. The script highlights the environmental benefits of biodegradability, contrasting traditional oil-based plastics with this new method that breaks down starch into simple sugars, a natural process facilitated by enzymes like amylase. The result is a non-toxic, BPA-free alternative to conventional plastics.

Takeaways

• 💡 Plastic is made up of long chains of polymers formed from small units called monomers.
• 🌱 Plastics are typically derived from oil and can take over 1000 years to decompose.
• 🚀 The video suggests engineering new materials that can break down more easily, inspired by how quickly fruits and vegetables decompose.
• 🍠 The DIY project involves creating a type of plastic from tapioca starch, a kitchen ingredient.
• 📐 Accurate measurements of tapioca starch and other ingredients are crucial for the process.
• 💧 Water is used to dissolve the tapioca starch, creating a mixture that forms the base of the bioplastic.
• 🍾 Vinegar is added to the mixture to break down the branches of the starch polymer, forming a linear polymer called amylose.
• 🍯 Glycerin is included to increase the flexibility of the plastic.
• 🎨 Food coloring can be added to the mixture to create a more visually appealing bioplastic.
• 🔥 Heat is applied to the mixture to thicken it and initiate the transformation into plastic.
• ☀️ The bioplastic needs to be dried under sunlight or left to dry for at least 24 hours to fully set.
• 🌿 The resulting bioplastic is biodegradable, contrasting with traditional oil-based plastics.
• 🧬 The bioplastic's degradability is due to its starch polymer composition, which natural organisms can break down into simple sugars.
• 🚯 Bioplastic is considered less toxic and does not contain BPA, a hormone disruptor found in some traditional plastics.

Q & A

What is the basic building block of plastic called?

The basic building block of plastic is called a monomer.

How are monomers connected to form plastic?

Monomers are connected to form long chains known as polymers, which group together to make up plastic.

What are the usual sources of plastic production?

Plastic is typically made from oil.

How long does it take for plastic to break down?

Plastic can take over 1000 years to break down.

What is the idea proposed to make plastic more environmentally friendly?

The idea is to engineer new materials that can break down more easily, similar to how fruit and vegetables decompose.

What is the main ingredient used to make tapioca plastic in the script?

The main ingredient used to make tapioca plastic is tapioca starch.

How much tapioca starch is needed to start making the plastic according to the script?

25 grams of tapioca starch is needed to start the process.

What role does vinegar play in the plastic-making process described in the script?

Vinegar is used to cut off the branches of the starch polymer, forming a linear polymer called amylose.

Why is glycerin added to the plastic mixture?

Glycerin is added to make the plastic more flexible.

How long does it take for the bioplastic to dry completely?

The bioplastic needs to be left under sunlight until it completely dries, which can take at least 24 hours or more.

Why is starch a good choice for making biodegradable plastic?

Starch is a good choice because it is biodegradable and can be broken down by natural organisms into simpler sugars, which are a vital energy source for many living organisms.

What is the process by which enzymes break down the glycosidic bond between sugar monomers in starch?

The process is called hydrolysis, where an enzyme called amylase fits between two monomers and a water molecule is absorbed to break the glycosidic bond.

What is the advantage of bioplastic over traditional plastic in terms of health and environment?

Bioplastic is less toxic and does not contain BPA, a hormone disruptor often found in traditional plastic.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 DIY Tapioca Bioplastic Creation

The video introduces the concept of plastic and its environmental impact, highlighting the need for biodegradable alternatives. It explains the chemical composition of plastic, made from polymers formed by linking monomers, typically derived from oil. The script then suggests an innovative approach to create a bioplastic using tapioca starch, a kitchen ingredient. The process involves measuring out tapioca starch, adding water, vinegar, glycerin, and food coloring, followed by heating to form a plastic-like substance. The final product is a bioplastic that can be left to dry under the sun, showcasing a potential eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics.

05:13

🌿 Understanding Biodegradability of Bioplastic

This paragraph delves into the biodegradability of the bioplastic made from tapioca starch, emphasizing its environmental benefits over oil-based plastics. It explains that starch, being a natural polymer, can be broken down by organisms into simpler sugars, which are an energy source for many life forms. The enzymatic process of hydrolysis, facilitated by amylase, breaks the glycosidic bonds between glucose monomers, thus degrading the starch. The video concludes by contrasting bioplastic with traditional plastic, noting the absence of harmful substances like BPA (bisphenol A) in bioplastic, and encourages viewers to try making their own bioplastic.

Keywords

💡Plastic

Plastic is a synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers and is used extensively in various products due to its malleability and durability. In the video, the term 'plastic' is central to the theme, as it discusses the environmental impact of conventional plastic and introduces an alternative, biodegradable form made from tapioca starch.

💡Monomer

A monomer is a single molecule that can be bonded to other similar molecules to form a polymer. In the context of the video, monomers are the building blocks of plastics, with the script explaining that they link together to create long chains known as polymers, which are the basis of plastic materials.

💡Polymer

A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units derived from monomers. The script uses the term 'polymer' to describe the long chains formed when monomers are connected, which are the main structural component of plastics. The video also mentions that tapioca starch forms a polymer when mixed with water.

💡Tapioca Starch

Tapioca starch is a starch extracted from the cassava root, commonly used in cooking and baking. The video script highlights tapioca starch as a key ingredient in creating a bioplastic, emphasizing its biodegradable nature and use in the homemade plastic-making process described.

💡Biodegradable

Biodegradable refers to the ability of materials to be broken down by the action of living organisms, such as bacteria, into simpler substances. The video's theme revolves around creating a biodegradable alternative to traditional plastics, using tapioca starch as a base material that can be decomposed by natural processes.

💡Amylose

Amylose is a type of carbohydrate and a component of starch that forms a linear polymer. The script explains that adding vinegar to the tapioca starch solution helps to create a linear polymer called amylose, which is crucial for the plastic's properties.

💡Glycerin

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a simple polyol compound and a colorless, odorless liquid that is a by-product of soap-making. In the video, glycerin is added to the plastic mixture to increase its flexibility, preventing the bioplastic from becoming too rigid.

💡Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which a molecule of water breaks a bond in another molecule, resulting in the dissociation of that molecule into two new molecules. The script describes how the glycosidic bonds in the starch polymer are broken down by the enzyme amylase through hydrolysis, facilitating the biodegradation process.

💡Enzyme

An enzyme is a type of protein that acts as a catalyst, speeding up chemical reactions in the body. The video mentions the enzyme amylase, which helps in breaking down the starch into simpler sugars by fitting between monomers and facilitating the hydrolysis process.

💡Bioplastic

Bioplastic refers to a type of plastic made from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, or microbiota. The script introduces the concept of bioplastic as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional oil-based plastics, demonstrating the process of making a bioplastic from tapioca starch.

💡BPA

BPA stands for Bisphenol A, a chemical compound used in the production of certain plastics and epoxy resins. The video mentions BPA as a hormone disruptor often found in traditional plastics, highlighting the health and environmental benefits of using bioplastics which do not contain this substance.

Highlights

Plastic is made up of small units called monomers that form long chains known as polymers.

Plastics are typically derived from oil and can take over 1000 years to decompose.

The presenter suggests engineering new materials that break down more easily like fruits and vegetables.

A practical guide to making tapioca plastic using kitchen ingredients is introduced.

Instructions for measuring 25 grams of tapioca starch for the plastic-making process are given.

150 milliliters of tap water is required to dissolve the tapioca starch completely.

Adding one teaspoon of vinegar helps in forming a linear polymer called amylose from the starch.

Glycerin is added to make the resulting plastic more flexible.

Food coloring can be used to give the plastic an exciting color.

The solution needs to be heated and stirred continuously until it thickens.

Boiling the mixture for an additional minute after it thickens is part of the process.

The plastic mixture should be allowed to cool before being spread out to dry.

Sunlight or waiting for at least 24 hours is required for the bioplastic to dry completely.

Tapioca plastic is made from a biodegradable polymer, making it environmentally friendly.

The starch polymer is broken down by natural organisms into simple sugars, its monomer units.

Amylase enzymes help in the hydrolysis process, breaking the glycosidic bonds between sugar monomers.

Bioplastic is less toxic and does not contain BPA, a hormone disruptor found in traditional plastics.

The presenter encourages viewers to try making bioplastic at home.

Transcripts

hi everyone did you know we use plastic

for so many things

for example plastic bag water bottle

and food container with so much plastic

all around

us have you ever thought what is a

plastic

plastic is like a change of small unit

one of these with a unit is called a

monomer

each of these little unit or monomer

are connected to any monomer forming a

long chain

this change is called a polymer

these polymer chains group together and

then makes up the plastic

plasti are usually made from oil

plastic takes one 1000 years or more

to break down when we throw it away what

if we could engineer new materials

that could break down the plastic easier

well fruit and vegetable break down our

root

very easier when they left out over time

in fact they only take three or four

weeks

to break down when they are turned away

what if

we make plastic out of fruit and

vegetable

so today i'm going to make tapioca

plastic

by using kitchen ingredients and you can

do this yourself at home too

so first of all measure out 25 gram of

tapioca starch and add the starch into

the pot

to get an accurate measurement you can

use a digital scale

next add 150 milliliter of tap water

and stir it well

make sure this touch is completely

dissolved

you can add water little by little so

that this touch

does not clump

then add one teaspoon of vinegar

next add one teaspoon of glycerin

you can buy this glycerin at grocery

store or

pharmacy continue to stir the solution

next add a few drops of food coloring

to make a very exciting plastic

to get the solution to turn into plastic

i'm going to add heat

when you're doing this at home on the

stove be careful not to touch any hot

surface

or handle hot liquid directly stir

the solution continuously on heat

as heat start to thicken raise the heat

from low to medium up to high

once the mixture thickened allow the

solution

to boil on medium high heat for another

1 minute

allow the mixture to cool for a couple

of minutes

then scoop the mixture on the lid and

spread it out

put the mixture under the sunlight until

it completely dry or wait at least 24

hours

or more for the bioplastic to dry

so earlier i have talked about an

oil-based plastic

but now i'm going to talk about tapioca

plastic

the dried starch powder is abundant of

polymer

i add it to water to loose up those

bundle

some of this starch polymer has branches

on it

which make it difficult to form a good

pasti

i add a vinegar to cut off those

branches

and make a linear polymer called amilos

if i just made plastic from this linen

polymer amylose

i will get a very rigid plastic

so i add glycerin to make the plastic

more flexible

move back to my tapioca plastic when the

plastic is completely dry

you can pull it off the lid

i also made a different shape and color

for my bio plastic bowl

this is the result of the plastic that i

have dried for two days

now the key reason why i choose to use

starch as my polymer

is that it's biodegradable that means

natural organisms like bacteria are

capable of breaking down

the material into smaller parts in this

case

i take a polymer which is tapioca starch

and break it down into its monomer parts

in this case simple sugar sugar are a

vital energy source for all living

organisms

as a result many organisms from bacteria

to humans have

enzymes that break starch into simplest

sugar

the starch polymer is made up of change

of simple sugar monomers called glucose

the bond that connects them are called

glycosidic bond

an enzyme called amylase help break the

sugar apart from each other by fitting

between two monomers

a water molecule is absorbed in order to

break the glycosidic bond between two

monomers

in a process called hydrolysis

in conclusion bioplastic is less toxic

and does not contain bpa

a hormone disruptor that is often found

in traditional plastic

so don't forget to try it out bye