Bio-PAPCZ: Corn Starch-Based Composite Bioplastic Reinforced with Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF), Zinc Oxide (ZnO), and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)

Plastic pollution poses a serious global threat, as petroleum-based plastics persist for centuries, and their surging production of over 450 million tons overwhelms ecosystems (Ritchie et al., 2023). Using a quantitative experimental research design, the study examined the effects of varying concentrations of cornstarch-based bioplastic reinforced with pineapple leaf fiber (PALF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and zinc oxide (ZnO) on the bioplastic’s tensile strength and soil degradability. Sample C2 (ZnO 3.0 %w/w; PVA 9.0 %w/w) demonstrated the optimal tensile properties with a tensile strength of 0.76 MPa and an elongation at break of 6.40%, which was attributed to the addition of ZnO (0.3 g), combating the hydrophilic nature of starch by filling the gaps within the polymer matrix, and PVA (0.9 g) and PALF, which improved the tensile strength. The combination of sample C2 suggested an optimal balance of the reinforcements for a more structure-focused bioplastic. Additionally, sample C3 (ZnO 2.9 %w/w; PVA 11.7 %w/w) exhibited the fastest degradation rate and a total weight loss of 27.24% of the initial weight, due to a higher PVA concentration (1.2 g), leading to increased hydrophilicity and biodegradability. The combination of sample C3 indicated an optimal balance of reinforcement for a more degradable bioplastic. These results highlight the trade-off between the structural performance and biodegradability, underscoring the potential impact of varying cornstarch-based bioplastic reinforced with PALF, PVA, and ZnO on sustainable materials.