Bioplastics Production and Applications: A Mini Review

Ubiquitous contamination of plastics has raised growing concerns about its impact on livelihood and associated environmental risks. Globally, Food Packaging sector contributes a major share of the total plastic waste produced. Therefore, reducing plastics accumulation in the environment and the connected consequences dictates the essential need of each nation till presently. In line with this, biodegradable and/or edible plastics have been advocated as an alternative to conventional plastics and their production have shown marked increase with improved properties for its use in food and allied industries. Biodegradable plastics are the polymers of biological entities that helps to overcome the environmental impact of petroleum-based plastic, whereas, edible plastics are the one that are consumable by humans, animals and microbes without any noxious effects towards health. This review provides an insight into the sources and development of the bio-based plastics from the starch of both conventional and unconventional tubers. Optimization of process parameters for their efficient production, evaluation of physiochemical properties, moulding and application in food packaging sector are highlighted with emphasis on their antimicrobial property.