Biology Investigatory Project

By Joe Calvin Rossario

Class XII

Singapore
EFFECT OF BIODEGRADABILITY ON
BIOPLASTICS
CBSE Class - XII
Academic Year 2016-2017

Name: Joe Calvin Rossario

Reg. No: XXXXXXXXXXXX

Mrs. Geetha
Narasimman
External Examiner Teacher in Charge
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Joe Calvin Rossario of class XII has prepared the
report on the project titled "Biodegradability" in accordance with the
guidelines given by Central Board of Secondary Education. The report is
found worthy of acceptance as final project report for Biology of class
XII during the academic year 2016-2017.

Mrs. Geetha Narasimman

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It’s my humble pleasure to thank my Biology teacher Mrs.Geetha
Narasimman who gave me the opportunity to do this wonderful project
on the topic and also for helping and guiding me throughout the
completion of my project. This project has helped me in doing a lot of
research enabling me to enhance my scientific skills.

Joe Calvin Rossario

Class XII
Aim

Biodegradation-over view
a. Factors affecting rate of biodegradation
b. Biodegradability of plastics

Bioplastics - background research

a. Are bioplastics good or bad?
b. How to cut down on plastics
c. Advantages of bio-degradable plastics

Experiment –making of biodegradable plastics

a. Hypothesis
b. Materials required
c. Procedure
d. Result

Conclusion

References

TABLE OF CONTENTS:-

AIM
To Study of biodegradability and biodegradable plastics
 BIODEGRADA
TION –
OVERVIEW
Biodegradation is
the disintegration of
materials by bacteria, fungi, or other biological means. Although
often conflated, biodegradable is distinct in meaning
from compostable. While biodegradable simply means to be
consumed by microorganisms, "compostable" makes the specific
demand that the object break down under composting conditions.
The term is often used in relation to ecology, waste management,
biomedicine, and the natural environment (bioremediation) and is
now commonly associated with environmentally friendly products
that are capable of decomposing back into natural elements.
Organic material can be degraded aerobically with oxygen,
or anaerobically, without oxygen. Bio surfactant, an extracellular
surfactant secreted by microorganisms, enhances the
biodegradation process.
Biodegradable matter is generally organic material that serves as
a nutrient for microorganisms. Microorganisms are so numerous
and diverse that, a huge range of compounds are biodegraded,
including hydrocarbons (e.g. oil), polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), and polyromantic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
pharmaceutical substances. Decomposition of biodegradable
substances may include both biological and abiotic steps.
FACTORS AFFECTING RATE OF
BIODEGRADABILITY
In practice, almost all chemical compounds and materials are
subject to biodegradation, the key is the relative rates of such
processes - minutes, days, years, centuries... A number of factors
determine the degradation rate of organic compounds. Salient
factors include light, water and oxygen. Temperature is also
important because chemical reactions proceed more quickly at
higher temperatures. The degradation rate of many organic
compounds is limited by their bioavailability. Compounds must be
released into solution before organisms can degrade them.
Biodegradability can be measured in a number of
ways. Respirometry tests can be used for aerobic microbes. First
one places a solid waste sample in a container with
microorganisms and soil, and then aerate the mixture. Over the
course of several days, microorganisms digest the sample bit by
bit and produce carbon dioxide – the resulting amount of
CO2 serves as an indicator of degradation. Biodegradability can
also be measured by anaerobic microbes
and the amount of methane or alloy that they are able to produce.
In formal scientific literature, the process is termed bio-
remediation.

Approximated time for compounds to biodegrade in a marine environmen

 Product Time to Biodegrade

Paper towel 2–4 weeks

Newspaper 6 weeks

Apple core 2 months

Cardboard box 2 months

Wax coated milk carton 3 months

Cotton gloves 1–5 months

Wool gloves 1 year

Plywood 1–3 years

Painted wooden sticks 13 years

Plastic bags 10–20 years

BIODEGRADABILITY OF PLASTICS
Plastics biodegrade at highly variable rates. PVC-based plumbing is
specifically selected for handing sewage because PVC biodegrades
very slowly. Some packaging materials on the other hand are being
developed that would degrade readily upon exposure to the
environment. Illustrative synthetic polymers that are biodegrade
quickly include polycaprolactone, others are polyesters and
aromatic-aliphatic esters, due to their ester bonds being susceptible
to attack by water. A prominent example is poly-3-hydroxybutyrate,
the renewably derived polylactic acid, and the synthetic
polycaprolactone. Others are the cellulose-based cellulose acetate
and celluloid (cellulose nitrate).

Polylactic acid is an example of a plastic that biodegrades quickly.

Under low oxygen conditions biodegradable plastics break down
slower and with the production of methane, like other organic
materials do. The breakdown process is accelerated in a
dedicated compost heap. Starch-based plastics will degrade
within two to four months in a home compost bin, while polylactic
acid is largely undecomposed, requiring higher
temperatures. Polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone-starch
composites decompose slower, but the starch content accelerates
decomposition by leaving behind a porous, high surface area
polycaprolactone. Nevertheless, it takes many months. In 2016, a
bacterium named Ideonella sakaiensis was found to
biodegrade PET.

BIOPLASTICS - BACKGROUND RESEARCH:-

Biodiversity and occurrence of polymer-degrading microorganisms vary
depending on the environment, such as soil, sea, compost, activated
sludge, etc. It is necessary to investigate the distribution and population
of polymer-degrading microorganisms in various ecosystems. Generally,
the adherence of microorganisms on the surface of plastics followed by
the colonization of the exposed surface is the major mechanisms
involved in the microbial degradation of plastics. The enzymatic
degradation of plastics by hydrolysis is a two-step process: first, the
enzyme binds to the polymer substrate then subsequently catalyzes a
hydrolytic cleavage. Polymers are degraded into low molecular weight
oligomers, dimers and monomers and finally mineralized to CO2 and
H2O.
The clear zone method with agar plates is a widely used technique for
screening polymer degraders and for assessment of the degradation
potential of different microorganisms towards a polymer. Agar plates
containing emulsified polymers are inoculated with microorganisms and
the presence of polymer degrading microorganisms can be confirmed by
the formation of clear halo zones around the colonies. This happens
when the polymer-degrading microorganisms excrete extracellular
enzymes which diffuse through the agar and degrade the polymer into
water soluble materials. Using this technique, it was confirmed that
PHB, polypropiolactone (PPL) and PCL degraders are widely distributed
in different environments. Majority of the strains that are able to
degrade PHB belong to different taxa such as Gram-positive and Gram-
negative bacteria, Streptomyces and fungi . It has been reported that 39
bacterial strains of the classes Firmicutes and Proteobacteria can
degrade PHB, PCL, and PBS, but not PLA . Only a few PLA degrading
microorganisms have been isolated and identified. The population of
aliphatic polymer-degrading microorganisms in different ecosystems
was found to be in the following order: PHB = PCL > PBS > PLA .
ARE BIOPLASTICS GOOD OR BAD?
Anything that helps humankind solve the plastics problem has to
be a good thing, right? Unfortunately, environmental issues are
never quite so simple. Actions that seem to help the planet in
obvious ways sometimes have major drawbacks and can do
damage in other ways. It's important to see things in the round to
understand whether "environmentally friendly" things are really
doing more harm than good.
Bioplastics and biodegradable plastics have long been
controversial. Manufacturers like to portray them as a magic-bullet
solution to the problem of plastics that won't go away. Bioplastics,
for example, are touted as saving 30–80 percent of
the greenhouse gas emissions you'd get from normal plastics and
they can give food longer shelf-life in stores. But here are some of
the drawbacks:
 When some biodegradable plastics decompose in landfills, they
produce methane gas. This is a very powerful greenhouse gas that adds
to the problem of global warming.
 Biodegradable plastics and bioplastics don't always readily
decompose. Some need relatively high temperatures and, in some
conditions, can still take many years to break down. Even then, they may
leave behind toxic residues.
 Bioplastics are made from plants such as corn and maize, so land
that could be used to grow food for the world is being used to "grow
plastic" instead. By 2014, almost a quarter of US grain production was
expected to have been turned over to biofuels and bioplastics
production; taking more agricultural land out of production could cause
a significant rise in food prices that would hit poorest people hardest.
 Some bioplastics, such as PLA, are made from genetically
modified corn. Most environmentalists consider GM (genetically
modified) crops to be inherently harmful to the environment.
 Bioplastics and biodegradable plastics cannot be easily recycled.
To most people, PLA looks very similar to PET (polyethylene
terephthalate) but, if the two are mixed up in a recycling bin, the whole
collection becomes impossible to recycle. There are fears that increasing
use of PLA may undermine existing efforts to recycle plastics.
 Many people think terms like "bioplastic," "biodegradable," and
"compostable" mean exactly the same thing. But there's a huge
difference between a "biodegradable" plastic (one that might take
decades or centuries to break down) and a truly "compostable" material
(something that turns almost entirely into benign waste after a matter of
months in a composter), while "bioplastic," as we've already seen, can
also mean different things. Confusing jargon hampers public
understanding, which makes it harder for consumers to grasp the issues
and make positive choices when they shop.

HOW TO CUT DOWN ON PLASTICS

Why is life never simple? If you're keen on helping the planet,
complications like this sound completely exasperating. But don't let that
put you off. As many environmental campaigners point out, there are
some very simple solutions to the plastics problem that everyone can
bear in mind to make a real difference. Instead of simply
sending

your plastics waste for recycling, remember the saying

"Reduce, repair, reuse, recycle". Recycling, though valuable, is only
slightly better than throwing something away: you still have to use
energy and water to recycle things and you probably create toxic waste
products as well. It's far better to reduce our need for plastics in the first
place than to have to dispose of them afterwards.
ADVANTAGES OF BIO-DEGRADABLE PLASTICS

1. Biodegradable plastics take less time to break down

Biodegradable packaging and biodegradable bags take much less time to
break down after being discarded, if they haven’t been recycled, of
course. What this means is that it gets absorbed in the earth, and there
will no longer be tons of plastic dominating our landfills.

2. Biodegradable plastics are renewable

Biodegradable plastics are made from biomass, which is a completely
renewable resource. It is an organic compound, which breaks down.
There is plenty of it around the globe. Biomass includes trees, plants,
grass, and all organic materials that decompose. This may even include
animal fats, meats, and other tissues.

3. Biodegradable plastics are good for the environment

Biodegradable plastics are much better for the environment, because
there is no harm done to the earth when recovering fossil fuels. Also, in
this process there are very few greenhouse gas and harmful carbon
emissions. Regular plastics need oil for their manufacturing, which
pollutes the environment.
4. Biodegradable plastics require less energy to produce
Biodegradable plastics need less than half the energy to produce than
their non-biodegradable counterparts. This means that it is possible to
make twice the amount of biodegradable packaging and biodegradable
bags using the same amount of energy.

5. Biodegradable plastics are easier to recycle

Biodegradable plastics are created from materials that are fully
biodegradable. This means that they can break down much faster and
recycling them takes less energy. Biodegradable plastics can be reused
more efficiently, which gives them a clear advantage.

6. Biodegradable plastics are not toxic

Traditional plastics are full of harmful by-products and chemicals, which
are released during their breakdown process. Biodegradable plastics are
completely safe and do not have any chemicals or toxins. This plastic
harmlessly breaks down and gets absorbed into the earth. Such
advantages of bioplastics are of extreme importance, as the toxic plastic
load on the earth is growing and at this rate will cause a whole range of
problems for future generations.

7. Biodegradable plastics reduce dependence on foreign oil

The use of biodegradable plastics will decrease the country’s
dependence on other countries for fossil fuels. The majority of the oil
that is needed to make regular plastic comes from the Middle East,
which has not always been friendly toward the U.S. Biodegradable
plastics are created from domestic biomass materials, so it reduces the
dependence on foreign oil, providing a domestic solution instead.
 HYPOTHEISIS
If homemade biodegradable plastic buttons and non biodegradable
plastic buttons are buried in soil samples then the biodegradable plastic
buttons will break down faster.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
 Two small clay plant pots
 Four cups of soil
 Small gardening shovel
 Gardening gloves
 Five small white plastic buttons (store
 bought)
 Five small biodegradable buttons 1/2 cup of water each day
 To make biodegradable buttons: small non-stick saucepan plastic
cooking spoon
 1/2 cup half and half cream 1 teaspoon of white vinegar pot holder
 Thick paper towels
 Coffee cup
 Aluminium foil
 PROCEDURE
Step one: Make Biodegradable Buttons
 Pour 1/2 cup of half and half cream into
saucepan until cream begins to foam.
Remove the cream from the heat.
 Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to cream and
stir. The mixture should be clumpy.
 Put two paper towels over opening of
coffee cup and tuck them inside of the
cup.
 Carefully pour the clumping cream mixture into the coffee cup and be
sure to scrape out all clumps out of the pan.
 Allow five minutes for curds to cool, lift the paper towels out of the cup
and squeeze out any excess liquid.
 Unwrap paper towels and you will see a white cheese like plastic!
Shape several small buttons and place on aluminum.
 Wait 24 hours and you will have a hard yellowish natural plastic
 Step Two: Bury the Bu tton s
 Be sure buttons are dry and hard.
 Fill each clay pot with1 cup of garden soil.
 Put five biodegradable buttons in one pot, put 1 cup of soil on top
and label
 Water pots with1/4 water daily for seven days.
 Uncover buttons in both pots and compare.
RESULT
The biodegradable buttons did change in shape, size, colour and
consistency.
They were smaller, soft and mushy, bright white and thinner. This
proves that biodegradable plastic would break down!

Bio-degradable plastics Non-biodegradable plastics

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, after seeing how the homemade biodegradable plastic
broke down verses the regular non-biodegradable plastic I can clearly
see that my hypothesis was correct. I guessed that the biodegradable
plastic buttons would break down if I buried them under soil and
watered them.
Based on the results of this experiment, I believe that industrial
companies should start using biodegradable plastic in the products that
they produce because the plastic that is thrown away would break down
rather than stay on our Earth.
REFERENCES
Glen. 100 Amazing First Prize Science Fair
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic
http://www.search.com/reference/Bioplastic
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/bioplastics.html
Images:
http://www.amaresearch.co.uk/PlasticRecycling_08Web.jpg
http://polyfort.com/images/industry_overview/plastic%20products%
20made%20from%20petrochemicals.jpg
http://www.takeprideinutah.org/plastic~kills.html
http://www.cermakrhoades.com/blog/cra_joer.html
http://www.sustainableisgood.com/blog/biobag/

http://www.odec.ca/projects/2010/whitxb2/index.htm