Pineapple Stem Starch Composite: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions for Single-Use Applications in the Circular Bioeconomy

Date:2023-06-01

Country: Malaysia Thailand

Application

• Made the bioplastic sheet using a byproduct of the bromelain industry which used the leftover pineapple stems from agricultural waste. This new type of bioplastic sheet has the potential to be used as single-use packaging material, as an alternative to th

Description

The researchers have developed a sustainable composite using pineapple stem starch for single uses. This innovative biodegradable package can replace traditional plastics and replace the present ones instead of wasting plastic. The material has good mechanical properties and thermal stability together with resistance against water, ideal for use in packaging, disposable cutlery, and other single-use products.

The advantage is it completely broke down into tiny pieces in just two weeks. The team even made a test version of a bread clip using this material, and it worked well in holding a bag closed. This study shows that using pineapple stem starch can be a good and eco-friendly choice instead of using plastics made from petroleum or other plant materials. It's a step towards a more sustainable way of making small plastic products and promoting a circular economy.

Pathway Description:

By using starch-based materials, the team used the starch from the pineapple stems, which is a substance found in plants, as the main ingredient. The team added glycerol and calcium carbonate to make the material easy to shape and strong. By changing the amounts of these ingredients, the team made samples with different strengths and properties. The resulting material could resist water and didn't soak up as much water as other similar materials.