Author: Izma Khan
INTRODUCTION
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
Chief Seattle’s
The negative impacts plastics have on Earth have been discussed so many times and how it is lethal for humans, animals, and even water bodies. Due to the exorbitant use of plastic, the world is facing an urgency to get rid of plastic. Bioplastic is used as an alternative to conventional plastic
Now it is an era of Bioplastic!
The term bioplastic can be defined as a plastic material fabricated from renewable resources. These eco-friendly materials are gaining more attention than conventional plastic. These eco-friendly biopolymers can be classified differently based on their classifying criteria. polymers can be classified into three categories. This may include animal, plant, and microbial sources.
Animal Sources
The primary significant biopolymers are derived from chitosan, gelatin, collagen, keratin, casein, hyaluronic acid, and silk fibroin.
- Chitosan: Chitosan is found in the cell walls of fungi and yeast, and in the exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects. The bioplastic fabricated from chitosan is mainly used in food packaging.
- Gelatin: Gelatin is one of the abundant waste products of the meat industry and has great potential to fabricate bioplastic as it has a lower carbon footprint than other sources. It can be extracted from beef, fish, and insects. It is mostly ideal for food packaging cosmetics and coatings.
- Collagen: This source of bioplastic is found in connective tissues and bones of animals. Collagen bioplastic has applications in various sectors such as tissue engineering, wound healing, and dental composites.
- Keratin: Sheep wool, duck, and chicken feathers are the best sources of keratin to fabricate bioplastic. Keratin bioplastic use in Home Furnishing and Decoration, Agriculture and Horticulture, Wound Healing, Cling Wrap
- Casein: Casein is found in mammalian milk and can be converted into bioplastic if treated with alkaline substances. Casein bioplastics are used in the form of buttons, buckles, and knitting needles but it was also used for fountain pens, propelling pencils, dress ornaments, knife handles, necklaces, dressing tableware, manicure sets
Plant Sources
- Cellulose: Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth and can be obtained from various sources such as oregano waste, cotton and sugarcane bagasse, seaweed, jute, hemp, corn, flasks, rice, wheat straw, and sisal. The applications of cellulose bioplastic are extruded films, eyeglass frames, electronics, sheets, rods,
- Starch: corn, wheat, rice, potato, tapioca, pea, maize, and barley are the best sources of starch. Starch bioplastic has applications in packaging, food service items, agriculture, textiles, medical devices, and 3D printing.
- Lignin: Lignin is commonly derived from wood and is an integral part of the secondary cell walls of plants. It includes straws of all cereals, cane bagasse, grass, linen, jute, hemp, cotton, softwood, and hardwood. Lignin bioplastics are mostly used in packaging and agriculture.
- Pectin: Pectin is a white, amorphous, and colloidal carbohydrate of high molecular weight occurring in apples, oranges, pomegranates, rice, bananas, lemons, carrots, tomatoes, and potatoes, guavas, gooseberries. Bioplastic pectin has applications in biomedical, food packaging, consumer electronics, automotive, Coating & adhesives.
Microbial Sources
Microbial-derived biopolymers are obtained from various microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Some of the most common microbial-derived biopolymers include:
- Polyhydroxyalkanoates: PHA is produced by bacteria like Alcaligenes eutrophus. It is a biodegradable plastic used in various applications, including packaging, medical devices, and textiles.
- Polylactic acid: Produced by bacteria or yeast like lactobacillus has applications in various sectors including packaging, textiles, and biomedical materials.
- Xanthan gum: Produced by bacteria, xanthan gum is a versatile biopolymer used in various applications, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
CONCLUSION
Bioplastic is used as an alternative to conventional plastic. It is fabricated through renewable resources from different sources such as animals, plants, and microbes. Biopolymers fabricated animal, plant, and microbial resources have the potential to help to attain a sustainable environment and help to promote the economy.
Read More: From Electrons to Ionic Lattices: A Comprehensive Guide to Ionic Bonding
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