芋頭生物塑膠材質的熱水即溶包研製 The development of hot water-soluble packaging made from taro-based bioplastic material.
At the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), countries agreed to phase out fossil fuels and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Besides, the 2022 UN Environment Assembly launched a convention to reduce plastic waste. To achieve this goals,this study addresses these goals by developing edible bioplastics from taro residue, repurposing it from food waste into a dissolvable packaging for instant noodle seasoning packets. These bioplastics dissolve in hot water, integrating into meals as a nutritious component. Among eight tested formulations, the most cost-effective used a taro:gelatin:Candelilla wax:glycerol:water ratio of 20:15:9:9:70, dissolving in water above 76°C with an initial cracking time of under 8 seconds.
The bioplastic degrades in soil within a month and has favorable physical properties, including a tensile strength of 0.70 kgf/15 mm and a density of 1.11 g/cm³. This innovation offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics while reducing agricultural waste.