Synthesis and Characterization of Banana Peel Starch-based Bioplastic for Intravenous Tubes Preparation

Aim: The work undertaken in this paper intends to reduce the negative environmental effects of single-use plastics especially to trim down the medical waste generated post-utilization of plastic intravenous tubes. The present study emphasizes on the production, characterization of banana peel starch-based bioplastic with Glycerin as bioplastic adhesive or plasticizer. Problem statement: Single-use plastic medical wastes derived from petroleum-based sources continue to accumulate in landfills and leach into the environment. Managing plastics and medical wastes tends to be an urgent environmental crisis and poses a serious threat to the same, and switching to biodegradable plastics can help to alleviate the problem. Methodology: Three assorted banana peel starch-based bioplastic samples were fabricated using assorted mixtures of Banana peel starch, Corn starch, Vinegar, Glycerin and distilled water. All the three samples were subjected to evaluation tests such as moisture content, water absorption, water solubility, alcohol solubility, Soil degradation, tensile strength study and FTIR analysis. In addition, the intravenous tube was simulated using ANSYS software, and its flow and velocity profiles were studied and tested. Conclusion: Obtained results evince that banana peel starch-based bioplastic sample-II has the necessary physiochemical and mechanical properties, which may be printed and molded as intravenous tube in future, for infusion and transfusion applications.