The use of gelatin-based bioplastic and paper as a dual-layered packaging as an alternative
to sachet packaging for powdered foods and drinks
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
I. Background of the Study
Innovation is a prime part of society's advancement. It is the cause of why the ideas that
could increase the standard of living of humans were capable of being turned into reality.
Breakthroughs have been materializing each decade, making the lives of humans better and
better each year. This innovation made their lives easier. Everything is now accessible and easy
to use. Humanity has gone from continually improving its lives into noticing the bad things that
it brought along with it. For example, they now prefer using electric cars instead of the previous
car technologies, which are proven harmful to the planet. Now, innovators are looking for
greener alternatives to technologies and innovations. The living conditions of humans should get
better, but the health of the Earth, the place where they live, should not be left out.
That is why a change in food packaging must start. The current food packages are
non-biodegradable plastics. This wastes would not decompose for more than 450 years. In a year,
humans produce 300 million tonnes of plastic. Many human generations would pass through
time, but the plastic waste of their ancestors would still exist. Using plastics in food packages is
harmful to the planet. It is shown in the 8 million tons of plastic trash that ends up in the ocean
every year. That means it will be floating around the oceans for many years, and sea animals
could swallow that trash. While in the human cities, their place is prone to floods because their
drainage is filled with plastic garbage. If only there's plastic food packaging that would
decompose in a span of human life. It would alleviate all of these harms that are detrimental to
the planet.
II. Conceptual Framework
Figure 1. The Input-Process-Output of the Edible Bioplastic Packaging
This figure shows the process of research, preparation, and development of the edible
bioplastic packaging for food product packaging. [1] The preparation for producing and testing
the edible bioplastic includes the research process for the possible ingredients to be used in the
product. [2] The process of the production of edible bioplastic includes the testing of the recipe,
implementation of the research, and standardization of the recipe to be used in the final output.
[3] The output of the edible bioplastic will undergo a final series of tests on its durability, ability
to protect the product, cost-effectiveness, practicality, and taste. Taking all these factors into
consideration and weighing whether or not the edible bioplastic can be implemented.
III. Statement of the Problem
Plastic has become abundantly produced in recent years, with many plastic products
being used in our daily lives. One of the instances that plastic is often used, but seldom noticed,
is with sachet packaging, often as the inner lining of the sachet. But due to plastic in general
becoming mass-produced, the amount of plastic that is manufactured has become detrimental to
the environment, and in turn, to us as well. Though mass-manufacturing of plastic cannot be
stopped immediately, alternatives can be presented in place of these, and one place to start is
with sachet packaging.
With that said, this research aims to find out the feasibility of the usage of gelatin-based
bioplastic and paper as a dual-layered packaging as an alternative to sachet packaging for
powdered foods and drinks. Specifically, this study aims to answer the following:
1. What is the thickness of the bioplastic before and after the drying period?
2. What is the tensile strength of the bioplastic?
3. How does the tensile strength of the bioplastic compare to that of regular plastic
bags/sachets?
4. At what temperature does the bioplastic begin to show signs of dissolving inside
water?
5. How long does it take for boiling water to dissolve the bioplastic completely?
6. How long does it take for visible mold to grow on the bioplastic?
IV. Objectives of the Study
With this study, the researchers aim to:
● Determine the efficacy of the bioplastic and paper as an alternative for common sachet
packaging
● Successfully generate bioplastic from gelatin
● Differentiate the gelatin-based bioplastic dual-layer packaging from commercially
available sachets
V. Significance of the Study
Consumer: The data and product that will be seen in this study would encourage consumers to
choose eco-friendly materials in buying daily products. Consumers won’t have to worry if the
packaging of their materials would harm the environment.
Marketer: This study will be replacing Polyethylene in packaging and use gelatin-based
bioplastic. The marketers would increase their sales for the very reason that a lot of people prefer
materials that are healthy for our environment rather than materials that could harm their
surroundings. The marketers and manufacturers could use this as a cheaper alternative which
would increase their profit more.
Key Competitor: Most brands promote “eco-friendly” packaging, but the inside materials are
not environmental. Best examples of this are plastic-lined paper bags and these materials are
often not recyclable. Most people are against this single use plastics which is why they would
have an edge if their material is eco-friendly.
Environment: Transitioning our materials into something more ecofriendly is much needed by
our environment. The product that the researchers are proposing could break down naturally
which means that the decomposition of the plastic will be easier. It will not only benefit the
society by continuing the use of these packaging, but it would also benefit the world we are
living in
VI. Scope and Delimitations
This study will focus on creating a biodegradable bioplastic as an alternative to the
widely known packaging in the Philippines, sachets. The researchers will use hard capsule shells
as their template for creating the edible bioplastic alongside the dual-layer paper as it’s
recyclable packaging.
The researchers aim to finish and be able to create a successful output in the span of four
to six months once the experiment has begun inside the De La Salle University - Dasmariñas’
science laboratory while under the supervision of an expert that will help them go through the
experimenting period. Sampling of the product will be done by six of De La Salle University -
Dasmariñas’ Senior High School students that are in the age group of 16-18 years old, one male
and five females, in other words, the researchers themselves.
This study, however, will not include products other than the powdered seasonings and
powdered drinks.
VII. Definition of Terms
Bioplastic - a type of plastic that can be made from natural resources such as vegetable oils and
starches.
Polyethylene - a thermoplastic polymer with a variable crystalline structure. It is one of the most
widely produced plastics in the world. A polymer of ethylene especially : any of various partially
crystalline lightweight thermoplastics that are resistant to chemicals and moisture, have good
insulating properties, and are used especially in packaging and insulation.
Hard capsule shells - a type of capsule that is usually used to contain medicine in the form of
dry powder or very small pellets.