Published Paper Details:

Plastics are a synthetic non-degradable polymer material used for all applications almost everywhere to meet the growing demands. The conventional plastics take long periods to degrade, upto 100 years and it leads to environmental issues. Bioplastics are degradable polymer material which will degrade at a shorter time period and hence is a most promising alternative for conventional plastics. The current study describes the synthesis of bioplastic from Tridax procumbens leaves a source of natural polymer along with addition of PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol), Glycerol and citric acid plasticizers. The prepared bioplastic S-1 (25ml of T.procumbens extract, 2g of PVA, 1ml of glycerol and 1g of citric acid), S-2 (25ml of T.procumbens extract treated with HCl, 2g of PVA, 1ml of glycerol and 1g of citric acid) both shows a good characteristic with smooth surface, transparent and flexible nature. Importantly the formulated bioplastic are free from bacterial and fungal contamination during storage. The formulated bioplastic degrade in the environment without causing harmful effect to the environment as it is made by biodegradable polymer and this will be a prominent alternative source to overcome the environmental plastic pollution in the current scenario.