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.

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

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.