UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

LEFTOVER RICE STARCH FROM FOOD WASTE TO

BIO-BASED PLASTIC

This report is submitted in accordance with the requirement of the Universiti

Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for the Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering

Technology (Process and Technology) with Honours.

by

MUHAMMAD ASYRAF BIN ABDUL RAZAK

B071310134

901213065827

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

2016

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN PROJEK SARJANA MUDA

TAJUK: Leftover Rice Starch From Food Waste To Bio-Based Plastic

SESI PENGAJIAN: 2016/17 Semester 1 Saya MUHAMMAD ASYRAF BIN ABDUL RAZAK mengaku membenarkan Laporan PSM ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:

1. Laporan PSM adalah hak milik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dan penulis. 2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dibenarkan membuat salinan

untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja dengan izin penulis. 3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan PSM ini sebagai bahan

pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi.

4. **Sila tandakan ( )

SULIT

TERHAD

TIDAK TERHAD

(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia sebagaimana yang termaktub dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)

(Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)

Alamat Tetap:

NO 3, LORONG BUKIT GELUGOR 12,

TAMAN BESERAH JAYA, 26100

KUANTAN, PAHANG.

Tarikh: 9 DECEMBER 2016

Disahkan oleh:

Cop Rasmi: Tarikh: _______________________

** Jika Laporan PSM ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak berkuasa/organisasi berkenaan dengan menyatakan sekali sebab dan tempoh laporan PSM ini perlu dikelaskan sebagai SULIT atau TERHAD.

DECLARATION

I hereby, declared this report entitled “Leftover Rice Starch From Food Waste To

Bio-Based Plastic” is the result of my own research except as cited in references.

Signature : ………………………………………….

Author’s Name : MUHAMMAD ASYRAF BIN ABDUL RAZAK

Date : 9 DECEMBER 2016

APPROVAL

This report is submitted to the Faculty of Engineering Technology of UTeM as a

partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of

Manufacturing Engineering Technology (Process and Technology) with

Honours. The member of the supervisory is as follow:

………………………………

(Project Supervisor)

i

ABSTRAK

Bio-plastik adalah alternatif untuk menggantikan plastik tradisional, yang terdiri

daripada bahan petroleum. Bio-plastik juga adalah alternatif yang mampan dan mesra

alam berbanding petro-plastik, yang tidak boleh diperbaharui dan tidak mesra alam.

Sisa makanan terutamanya beras, yang kaya dengan kanji, telah dianggap sebagai

bahan mentah yang berpotensi untuk menghasilkan plastik mesra alam sekitar.

Dengan menggunakan kanji nasi untuk membuat plastik dan bersifat mesra alam,

ianya dapat membantu menyumbangkan ke arah pengurangkan pencemaran sampah.

Terdapat 3 jenis sisa kanji nasi yang telah ujian. Keberkesanan berasaskan bio-

plastik kanji nasi dinilai oleh dua jenis ujian iaitu ujian biodegradasi dan ujian

tegangan. Hasil telah menunjukkan bahawa sisa nasi putih mempunyai kekuatan

yang paling tinggi berbanding dengan sisa nasi goreng dan sisa nasi beriani yang

telah dijadikan bio-plastik. Untuk keputusan hasil dari ujian biodegradasi di dalam

tanah, yang melibatkan 3 sampel sisa kanji nasi yang berbeza. Penguraian sampel di

dalam tanah melibatkan 3 jenis sisa kanji nasi yang berbeza menunjukkan ianya

100% berjaya selepas 8 minggu dan telah mencapai dan dapat diklasifikasikan

berjaya mengikut ASTM yang berkaitan. Untuk sampel sisa kanji nasi, bahan

tambahan juga didapati memainkan peranan dalam mempengaruhi dan memberi

kesan kepada kanji sisa nasi dari segi sifat-sifat mekanikal dan fizikalnya. Sebagai

kesimpulan, sisa kanji nasi putih mempunyai potensi sebagai alternatif untuk

pembungkusan komersial bio-plastik selepas ianya di sintesis dan setelah diambil

kira keputusan dan ciri-ciri mekanikal dan biodegradasinya.

ii

ABSTRACT

Bio-based plastics are a great alternative to replace traditional plastics, which are

often composed of petroleum products. Bio-based plastics are also sustainable and

eco-friendly alternatives compared to petro-plastics, which are non-renewable and

non-biodegradable. Food waste especially rice, which is rich in starch, has been

considered as a potential feedstock for producing environmental friendly

biodegradable plastic. By using rice starch to make biodegradable plastic to be able

to help contribute useful things that may help in lessening garbage pollution. There

are 3 different types of leftover rice starch film that had been test. The effectiveness

of bio-based starch film is evaluated by two types of testing which is

biodegradability testing and tensile testing. The result can indicate that leftover white

rice have the higest of strength compare to leftover fried rice and leftover nasi beriani

which had been made to bio-plastic. For the result of soil biodegradable test, its

involve 3 different types of leftover rice starch. The degradation of 3 different type of

samples leftover rice shown 100% successful after 8 weeks and its achives and

classifies as sucessfull on the term of biodegradable according the ASTM related.

For the rest of the rice samples, additional material was also found to influence and

affect the rest of the rice starch in mechanical properties and physical. In conclusion,

the remaining white rice has the potential as an alternative to commercial packaging

bio-plastic after it in the synthesis and having regard to the results and the

mechanical properties and biodegradation.

iii

DEDICATION

Alhamdulillah, all praises to Allah S.W.T for the strengths and His blessing in

completing this final year project. I am also thankful to my family, supervisor and

friends for the continuous guidance, encouragement, advice, insightful comments,

and support to continue develop this project. Finally, I thank all those who have

helped me directly or indirectly in the successful completion of my project.

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

In the name of Allah S.W.T, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful, praise

to Allah the lord of universe and may blessing and peace of Allah be upon his

messenger Muhammad S.A.W. First, and foremost thank to Allah for giving me

wellness and ideas to do this project. Without any of it, I surely cannot complete this

project in the time given.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude towards to my project supervisor

Puan Noor Irinah Binti Omar and every lecturer who has help and guide me by

giving advices encouragement and patience during the time period to completing this

project.

Last but not least, I like to express my very thankful and send our grateful to

my entire friends and my family for the moral and financial support. Their views and

this are useful definitely. Without all these people encouragement, support and

advices this thesis project might not be successfully carried out. To those that I

forget to mention, please forgive me. I do appreciate all the things you have done for

me.

Thank you.

v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstrak i

Abstract ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Content v

List of Tables viii

List of Figures ix

List Abbreviations, Symbols and Nomenclatures xi

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Background of Research 1

1.1 Problem Statement 3

1.2 Objective 3

1.3 Purpose of Study 3

1.4 Scope of Project 3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 5

2.0 Introduction 5

2.1 Food Waste 5

2.1.1 MalaysiaFood Waste 6

2.1.2 Statics Food Waste In Malaysia 6

2.2 Introduction Bio-based Plastic 8

2.2.1 Bio-based Film 9

2.2.2 Product of Bio-based Plastic 9

2.2.3 Potential of Bio-based Plastic over Plastic 10

2.3 Rice 10

2.3.1 Types Of Rice In Malaysia 12

2.3.2 Rice Anatomy 13

2.3.3 Leftover Rice 14

vi

2.4 Starch 14

2.4.1 Potato starch 15

2.4.2 Wheat starch 15

2.4.3 Corn starch 16

2.4.4 Pea starch 16

2.4.5 Rice starch 16

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 17

3.0 Introduction 17

3.1 Flow Chart of Research 17

3.2 Raw Material 19

3.2.1 Leftover Rice 19

3.2.2 Water 19

3.2.3 Glycerol As Plasticizer 20

3.2.4 Vinegar 21

3.2.5 Key Lime 22

3.2.6 Lemon Grass Liquid 23

3.2.7 Corn Starch and Potato Starch 23

3.2.8 Sodium Bicarbonate 24

3.3 Equipment 24

3.3.1 Magnetic Stir Bar 24

3.3.2 Blender 25

3.3.3 Scraper 25

3.3.4 Rectangle mould 26

3.3.5 Mesh 26

3.3.6 Aluminium foil 27

3.3.7 Hot Plate 27

3.3.8 Pipette 28

3.3.9 Beaker 28

3.3.10 Graduated Cylinder 29

3.3.11 Electronic Balance 29

3.4 Description of Methodology 30

vii

3.5 Film Characterization 33

3.5.1 Biodegradation Test 33

3.6 Mechanical Testing Using Tensile Test 34

3.6.1 Test Tensile Elongation 36

3.6.2 Tensile Modulus of Elasticity 36

CHAPTER 4: RESULT AND DISCUSSION 38

4.0 Introduction 38

4.1 Tensile Testing 38

4.2 Biodegradable Test Result 51

4.2.1 Soil biodegradable test 52

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 53

5.0 Conclusion 53

5.1 Recommendation 55

REFERENCES 56

APPENDICES

A Graph Of Tensile Testing

B Characterization Of Bio-Based Plastic From Leftover Rice

viii

LIST OF TABLES

2.1 Comparison between Bio-based Plastics and Plastic 10

4.1 Result of tensile testing for 15 samples 44

ix

LIST OF FIGURES

2.1 Percentage (%) of waste dump site in Peninsular Malaysia 7

2.2 Shows the most important food and agricultural commodities 11

2.3 Rice types in Malaysia 12

2.4 Rice Anatomy 13

3.1 Flow chart of the project 18

3.2 Leftover white rice 19

3.3 Distilled water 20

3.4 Glycerol 21

3.5 Vinegar 22

3.6 Key lime 22

3.7 Lemon Grass Liquid 23

3.8 Corn starch and potato starch 23

3.9 Bicarbonate of sodium 24

3.10 Magnetic Stir Bar 24

3.11 Blender 25

3.12 Scraper 25

3.13 Rectangle mould 26

3.14 Mesh 26

3.15 Aluminium foil 27

3.16 Hot Plate 27

3.17 Pipette 10ml 28

3.18 250ml Beaker 28

3.19 250 ml ± 2 ml Graduated Cylinder 29

3.20 Electronic Balance 29

3.21 Sample preparation 31

3.22 Stirring solution 31

3.23 Draw off and spread evenly onto a rectangle mould 31

3.24 Dry at room temperature for three days in fume cupboards 32

3.25 Sample of leftover rice starch put on aluminium foil 32

x

3.26 Its shows the test geometry from Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products 35

3.27 Stress-Strain Curve 35

3.28 Universal Tensile Machine 37

3.29 Universal Tensile Machine Electro-Mechanical 50kN, model 5969. 37

4.1 Specimen apply on Universal Tensile Machine 39

4.2 Dog bone specimen with dimension 39

4.3 Grips operated manually by the use of a handle 40

4.4 Extensometers apply according to ASTM D638 41

4.5 Designations for speed of testing according to ASTM D638 41

4.6 This is the sample before tensile testing. 42

4.7 This is the sample after tensile testing 42

4.8 Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) for 15 samples 45

4.9 Average of Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) of leftover rice. 48

4.10 Modulus Young's (MPa) for 15 samples 49

4.11 Average of Modulus Young's (MPa) of leftover rice 50

4.12 Choose the place 52

4.13 Dig up the soil at a depth of 20cm 52

4.14 Then, bury the sample 52

4.15 After 8 weeks, dig a sample in the soil 52

4.16 Shows 100% of soil biodegradable test is successful after 8 weeks 52

xi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, SYMBOLS AND

NOMENCLATURE

ASTM - American Standard Testing Material

et al. - and others

E - Modulus Young’s

FTK - Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan

g - Gram

ISO - International Organization for Standardization

kg - kilogram

kN - Kilo Newton

mm - Mililiter

min - Minute

ml - Mililiter

m - Mass

MPa - Megapascal

N - Newton

SI Unit - International System of Unit

UTS - Ultimate Tensile Strength

wt - Weight

vs - versus

𝜎 - Stress

ε - Strain

% - Percent

xii

Aerobic - Aerobic means requiring air, where air usually means

oxygen.

Anaerobic - Aerobic (Biology) (Of an organism or process)

requiring the absence of or not dependent on the

presence of oxygen.

Biodegradability - The breakdown of an organic chemical compound by

micro- organisms in the presence of oxygen to carbon

dioxide, water and mineral salts of any other

elements present (mineralization) and new biomass

or in the absence of oxygen to carbon dioxide,

methane, mineral salts and new biomass (from

EN13432).

Biodegradable -

plastic

A degradable plastic in which the degradation results

from the action of naturally occurring micro-

organisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae.

Biodegradation - Degradation brought about by the action of naturally

occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and

algae.

Composed - A managed process that involves the biological

decomposition and transformation of biodegradable

material to produce carbon dioxide, water, minerals

and organic matter (compost or humus).

1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of Research

Bio-based plastics are a great alternative to traditional plastics, which are

often composed of petroleum products. Bio-based plastics are also sustainable and

eco-friendly alternatives to petro plastics, which are non-renewable and non-

biodegradable. As years pass, we have less and less petroleum available to us, so it is

important to find a suitable alternative. In fact, the global production and use of

plastic continues to increase within 50 years. Compared plastic production in 2013

and 2012, it rise by four percent and as much as 299 million tons of plastic was

produced (World Watch Institute 2015).

The advantages of plastics are light and less bulky than other packaging

materials that could be processed into any desired shape or form such as films, sheets

and pouches. On the other hand, it saves costs of storage and transportation because

of lower volume, easy colouring, no rusting and first-rate water resistance. Although

plastic package have great advantages, however they also have some limitations that

includes some chemical attack on particular plastics, tendency to creep, less heat

resistance, lower gas barrier and lower dimensional stability. Plastics are among the

major toxic pollutants, it has the potential to cause or causes significant harm to the

environment in the form of air, water and soil pollution. Plastic is a material that is

very useful, but it is also made from toxic compounds that can cause disease, and

because it seeks to durability, it is not biodegradable. Plastic can remain in the

environment for hundreds of years.

2

Biodegradable, in fact, is one of the alternatives that may help to reduce these

harmful impacts on a longer time scale. The problem of global food waste is critical

to fine the solution from the standpoint of improving the environment by reducing

carbon emissions and landfill usage. In order to trim down this problem, the

application of biodegradable material as an alternative choice is increasingly applied.

At the same time, food wasted in Malaysia has been found to comprise of 45% of

average household waste and about 8,000 tonnes of food waste and kitchen waste are

generated on a daily basis (Bernama, 2014).

Food waste especially rice, which is rich in starch, has been considered as a

potential feedstock for producing environmental friendly biodegradable plastic. By

using rice starch to make biodegradable plastic to be able to help contribute useful

things that may help in lessening garbage pollution. This investigatory is a green

project that may help in saving our green earth. When believe that it more

appropriate to use biodegradable plastic instead of ordinary plastics because it takes

billions of years for a plastic to decompose.

Leftover rice starch from food waste to bio-based plastic is based on

renewable resources, biodegradable polymers which are meet all criteria of

scientifically recognized norms for biodegradability and compost ability. Renewable

sources become more viable alternatives and the potential for the plastics industry.

When plastics is made from petroleum are burned, they release the carbon dioxide

contained in the plastic into the atmosphere, leading to global warming. So by using

bio-plastics, it offers significant advantages not only in ecological sense but also in

an economically sense. Bio-plastic are a form of plastics derived from plant sources

such as of renewable carbon resources include corn, potatoes starch, rice, soy, sugar

cane, wheat and vegetable oil. Due to concerns for the global environment and the

increasing difficulty in managing solid wastes, bio-based plastic and biodegradable

polymeric materials may be among the most suitable alternatives for some

applications (Tadahisa Iwata, 2007).

3

1.1 Problem Statement

In Malaysia food waste comprise of 45% of average household waste. It’s

about 8,000 tons of food waste and kitchen waste is generated on a daily basis. Re-

use leftover rice from food waste into useful product.

1.2 Objectives

The aim of this study are:

(a) To synthesis bio-based plastic from 3 different types of leftover rice.

(b) To evaluate the mechanical and biodegradable properties of synthesis bio-

based plastic.

1.3 Purpose of Study

This project focuses on synthesis 3 different types of leftover rice which is leftover

white rice, leftover fried rice and leftover nasi beriani. In this study, mechanical and

biodegradable properties of bio-based plastic from 3 types of leftover rice will be

investigated.

1.4 Scope of Project

(a) Synthesis of bio-based plastic

As bio-bed plastic is formed via the gelatinization method. There are 3

different samples of leftover rice which is leftover white rice, leftover fried rice and

leftover nasi beriani. Vinegar, acetic acid, corn starch, lemon grass liquid, water and

will be prepare. After that, stirring, heating, and spread evenly onto a rectangle

mould and lastly dry at room temperature.

4

(b) Characterization and degradability measurements

To determine the properties of the bio-plastic starch film synthesised from the

various type of leftover rice of food waste, several analyses will be carried out which

is tensile test and biodegradable test.

5

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

This chapter discussed literatures of food waste to bio-based plastic, their

background, material used. Reference and understanding were gain from various

sources such as journal, books, paper and internet. The important aspect and focus in

this literature review is about food waste, bio-based plastic, starch, rice, rice starch

and leftover rice.

2.1 Food Waste

Food waste or food loss is food that is discarded or lost or uneaten. The two

are similar, but have key distinctions within their definitions. The causes of food

waste or loss are numerous, and occur at the stages of production, processing,

retailing and consumption (Galanakis, Charis M, 2015). Food waste is an issue of

importance to global food security and good environmental governance, directly

linked with environmental for example energy, climate change, water, availability of

resources. Then, in economic factor its involve resource efficiency, price volatility,

increasing costs, consumption, waste management and commodity markets. In social

impact, it will cause to health and equality of life.

6

2.1.1 Malaysia Food Waste

Malaysians waste an average of 8,000 tonnes or 8 million kg of food on a

daily basis, an amount which can feed up to six million people. Solid Waste

Management and Public Cleansing Corporation chief executive officer, Datuk Ab

Rahim Md Noor said the percentage of food wastage increased by an average of 15%

to 20% during festive seasons. The percentage composition of food waste among the

solid waste, it is the highest at 45% while the cost of managing solid waste in states

had reached RM1.6 billion last year. Accumulation of the 8,000 tonnes of food waste

for 18 days could stack as high as the Petronas Twin Towers. In a year, the total food

wasted could reach 2.92 billion kg, an amount which could feed 2.2 billion people

(Bernama, 2014).

The United Nations Environmental Programme and the World Resources

Institute recent report says about one-third of food produced is lost worldwide. Our

concern is the food that is not eaten and dumped in garbage bins. Discarded food

makes up more than one-third of garbage generated annually. In Malaysia, more than

3,000 tonnes of food are preventable food waste as they were untouched and edible

(S. Sundareson, 2016).

2.1.2 Statics Food Waste In Malaysia

Food waste comprise of 45% of average household waste. This Category of

municipal waste is crated away by garbage trucks. Approximately ten persent of

recyclables contained is being collected by recycling organizations such as paper

product, plastic, metals. In an average, each household produce at least one bag of

mixed garbage containing kitchen discharge daily. Statistics taken from Ministry of

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government show the data of global warning

of food waste in Malaysia (Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local

Government, 2012).

7

Figure 2.1: Percentage (%) of waste dump site in Peninsular Malaysia in the year

2012 <http://www.kpkt.gov.my/kpkt/fileupload/hebahan/lab_sisa_pepejal.pdf>

2.2 Introduction Bio-based Plastic

Bio-plastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as

vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, or microbiota. Bioplastic is a form of plastic made

from renewable plant source rather than non-renewable petrolum. Bio-plastic can be made

from agricultural byproducts and also from used plastic bottles and other containers

using microorganisms. Common plastics, such as fossil-fuel plastics (also called

petrobased polymers), are derived from petroleum or natural gas. Production of such

plastics tends to require more fossil fuels and to produce more greenhouse gases than

the production of biobased polymers bio-plastics. Some, but not all, bio-plastics are

designed to biodegrade. Biodegradable bio-plastics can break down in either

anaerobic or aerobic environments, depending on how they are manufactured. Bio-

plastics can be composed of starches, cellulose, biopolymers, and a variety of other

materials (Hong Chua, 1999).

8

Biodegradable is the capacity of a material to decompose naturally over time,

to be broken down by microorganisms. The biodegradability or rather, the non-

biodegradability of conventional petroleum-based plastics is a pressing environment

issue. Approximately ten million tons of plastic products are discarded each year.

Reusing and cycling plastics have been the first steps in combating the amount of

municipal waste that is produced every day. However, mountains of synthetic waste

are still generated at a dangerous rate despite efforts to reuse and cycle. A piece of

petroleum-based plastic takes approximately 200 years to decompose naturally. As

the demand for plastic products continues to rise, so does the pressure of finding a

more environmentally- friendly alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastic.

The search for an alternative has led researchers to develop biodegradable

plastic blends from organic such as corn, rice or potato starch. However, progress in

the development of starch-based degradable plastics is slow and there is doubt as to

whether degradable plastics are truly feasible. This is the one of the factor why this

project are choose and it could come to terms the feasibility of rise starch as

biodegradable plastic.

2.2.1 Bio-based Film

The majority of engineered plastic materials used today are made from

synthetic polymers. The use of conventional petroleum-based polymer products

creates many potential problems due to their non-renewable nature and ultimate

disposal. Cellulose and its derivatives, when used in such applications, offers

advantages with respect to sustainability, limited environmental impact and

simplified end-of-life disposal issues. Early studies examined the application of

chitosan, starch and cellulose derivatives which were shown have film forming

properties. There is a considerable interest in biodegradable films made from

renewable and natural polymers, such as starch (Roberto J. et al, 1994).