CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Biodegradable plastics are a kind of environmentally friendly plastic which can be

deduced from renewable resources such as biomass, starch, fats and oils. Some waste materials

for examples, food, agricultural and vegetable wastes, renewable feedstocks for example,

biomass serve as the key sources of bioplastics which results in not any environmental pollution,

no loss of fossil fuel, and ultimately no harm to mankind. A population of microbes can also be

helpful to obtain biodegradable plastics from bio-wastes. Biodegradable plastics degrade

inherently in the environment. This process is accomplished when microorganisms, exist in

environment, metabolize and breakdown the structure of biodegradable plastics into simple

compounds that are not harmful for the environment. There are two kinds of biodegradable

plastics: one can decompose in aerobic process (composting) and another can decompose in

anaerobic environment (landfill). It degrades into methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), water

(H2O) and biomass through microorganisms in a definite timescale and in definite environments.

For example, Polylactic acid (PLA), thermoplastic starch and Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)

based biodegradable plastic etc.

their similar applications. These are a feasible alternative to achieve environmental sustainability

due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility and the matter of fact that they are made of

renewable and biogenic raw materials such as starch, wood pulp and vegetable oils which make

them efficient for applications in biomedical, medical implants, piping, agricultural sector,

packaging, textile industries, phone cases, bag industry, containers, carpets, etc and other

valuable industrial applications. The utilization of renewable feedstock and biodegradability are

foremost advantages for the use of biodegradable plastics.

Ghee residue is the dark, mass-like residue received after the clarified butter is extracted via way

of means of heating the butter. Much of this ghee residue is often received in all dairies. The

residue has no similar use and is dumped with inside the agricultural field. However, the

Ghee residue incorporates many phenolics and, for this reason, can be used as a supply of carbon

and nitrogen in

specific ways. The modern-day invention relates to bioplastics from the waste received

from

dairy industries and agriculture. This progressive bioplastic is appropriate for dry meal

packaging.
The present invention has been examined for its tensile energy via electromechanical

equipment. It is reported to have tensile energy of 41.539 MPa and 29.031 MPa, for the

bioplastic produced from agricultural waste-Raw Banana peel and dairy waste-Molten butter

extract, respectively.

Beyond 200 billion pounds of petroleum-based plastics are produced annually, requiring

more than seven million barrels of petroleum oil daily. More than one billion tons of plastic have

been discarded as waste, most of which may require many years to decompose. Moreover,

assembling and discarding plastic items by incineration discharges tremendous amounts of

poisons that can be harmful to human-possessed biological communities. Bioplastics are viewed

as feasible options for supplanting oil-based plastics

Bioplastics are commonly obtained from inexhaustible crude materials and can contain at least

one bio- polymeric Substance. Bioplastics can be utilized in various settings, such as providing

food items where the transient plastics can be utilized to make dispensable porcelain and cutlery.

Biodegradable plastics are further described in “Green Plastics, An Introduction to the New

Science of Biodegradable Plastics.” by E. S. Stevens, Princeton University Press. Betterment in

the properties of bioplastics, especially in their tensile strength, remains an issue.

The modern plastics synthesized from petrochemicals are non-biodegradable and result in a huge

accumulation of plastic waste.

from natural resources through chemical processing.

In addition to the search for a solution to the accumulation of plastic waste, the continuous hike

in petroleum prices made researchers find alternative, economic substitutes to produce

bioplastics There were many approaches in bioplastic production using fats and vegetable oil,

egg white protein, and sago starch. Many trials made for producing bioplastics were observed to

have poor properties compared to synthetic polymers. Scientists have been more attentive in

evolving the susceptibility, effect on water exposure, and a melting point of bioplastics. A few

disadvantages of bioplastic include the high cost in production, shorter life span, permeability to

water vapor, poor mechanical strength, and barrier properties. To enhance the suitable properties

of bioplastic, many biocomposites, natural fillers, and natural fibers were applied

The most important consideration must be the production of bioplastic by second-generation

feedstock. Many researchers’ innovations refer to the use of first-generation feedstock like

potato, wheat, sugarcane, corn, castor oil plant, etc. Few researchers tried to produce composite

preparation for easily biodegradable bioplastic. The source for such preparation includes first-

generation feedstock like corn, cassava, sugarcane, etc. The efforts to produce efficient

biodegradable bioplastic may lack suitability for food packaging due unavailability of barrier
properties. Thus, new or improved materials and methods are much in need. The compositions,

as well as the methods involved, are directed toward these needs and other ends.

The objective of this work is to expose the applications of dairy waste ―ghee residue and

agricultural waste raw banana peel in making biodegradable bioplastic which is easy to prepare

with better properties of tensile strength, and non-toxic, eco-friendly to use as a dry food

packaging material. No synthetic chemicals are used in the preparation. Has a low migration

level, so applicable for packing dry food material. It can also be used as a bio-fertilizer after its

biodegradation.

Agricultural residues management is considered to be a vital strategy in order to

accomplish resource conservation and to maintain the quality of the environment. In recent

years, biofibers have attracted increasing interest due to their wide applications in food

packaging and in the biomedical sciences. These eco-friendly polymers reduce rapidly and

replace the usage of the petroleum-based synthetic polymers due to their safety, low production

costs, and biodegradability. This paper reports an efficient method for the production of the

cellulose acetate biofiber from flax fibers and cotton linters. The used process satisfied a yield of

81% and 54% for flax fibers and cotton linters respectively (based on the weight of the cellulosic

residue used). The structure of the produced bioplastic was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, FT-
IR and gel permeation chromatography. Moreover, this new biopolymer is biodegradable and is

not affected by acid or salt treatment but is alkali labile. A comparison test showed that the

produced cellulose acetate was affected by acids to a lesser extent than polypropylene and

polystyrene. Therefore, this new cellulose acetate bioplastics can be applied in both the food

industry and medicine.

1.2 Aim and objectives of the study

The main objective of this research work is to study the phytochemical and caffeine

Content in herb tea

The specific objective include:

 To study the content of phytochemicals and caffeine in ginger

 To study the content of phytochemicals and caffeine in green tea

 To study the content of phytochemicals and caffeine in Lipton tea

1.3 Significance of the study

The benefits of ginger and Lipton tea are numerous. This tea are loaded with many beneficial

nutrients that can promote overall health. The teas may aid in weight loss, help manage diabetes,
and effectively regulate blood pressure. It also reduces cancer risk and promotes digestive,

kidney, skin, and air health. In addition, ginger and lipton tea help heal a sore throat and help

combat anxiety, headaches, cough, allergies, and the common cold. However, over consumption

may cause lung problems and could be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hence,

caution is advised. However, moderate intake can be safe and beneficial.