OMEJE, PRISCILLIA EZINNE (2025) PRODUCTION OF BIOFILM FROM CASSAVA STARCH FOR POSSIBLE USE IN GARBAGE COLLECTION. Other thesis, GODFREY OKOYE UNIVERSITY.
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Abstract
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important crop, which grows in tropics and sub-tropics regions and is the main source of carbohydrates and primary food staple that feeds millions of humans. Cassava starch can form an excellent film; thus, it can be used to produce biodegradable polymers, which can be used to replace plastics. This study was aimed at producing biofilm from cassava starch for possible use in garbage collection. Fresh cassava was purchased from Abakpa Market in Enugu, Nigeria. Starch was identified, extracted from cassava, and used to produce a starch-based biofilm and a control film without starch. Characterization of biofilm such as tensile strength, elongation at break, shear strength, toughness, thickness, and hardness were performed on both the starch biofilm and control, alongside the foil and nylon type conventional materials. The results showed that the starch biofilm (285.53±3.26 N/mm²) and control (35.00 ± 0.00 N/mm²) attained less maximum stress, when compared to nylon (513.33±0.01 N/mm²) and foil (470.00±0.00 N/mm²), with nylon being significantly higher (p<0.05). The elongation at break (3.14±0.06 mm) was also significantly lower than control, nylon and foil. Toughness (3.04±0.14) was lower than nylon but higher than foil and control. The biofilm was thicker but had higher shear strength, breaking force (56.72±4.12 N), and hardness (16.38±0.62 N/mm²) than control, nylon and foil. Solubility in water (22.23%) was significantly lower than both materials, but higher than control. It withstood heat at 100°C, although foil had higher tolerance to heat compared to the biofilm, control and nylon. The study showed that cassava starch biofilm is an example of an eco-friendly, renewable alternative that could minimize the use of plastic and result in environmental sustainability within the solid waste systems of management. It is recommended that a cost-benefit analysis comparing cassava starch biofilm with synthetic plastics should be carried out to determine economic viability for large-scale waste management use.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Other) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > QD Chemistry |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Uchenna Eneogwe |
| Date Deposited: | 31 May 2026 00:41 |
| Last Modified: | 31 May 2026 00:41 |
| URI: | http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/5688 |
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