Vol. 12, Special Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
R Reddy Nagesh, V Gomathi, Pon. Sathya Moorthy, S Thirumalairajan, and A Ramalakshmi

Abstract:
Fossil fuel plastics disintegrate into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which represent a more significant threat due to easy entry into the digestive system of living species and difficulty in detection. This research aimed to create bioplastic from Parthenium hysterophorus, one of the world’s most invasive and destructive weeds due to its negative impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. Using the chlorination and alkaline extraction method cellulose was extracted and then converted to Nanocellulose. Biodegradable plastic sheets were developed by integrating chitosan and Nanocellulose. These bioplastic sheets degrade in 35-45 days under natural circumstances. The decomposition of both chitosan and cellulose can release carbon and nitrogen compounds into the environment. These compounds can contribute to soil fertility and microbial growth. As a result, the bioplastic films made from parthenium and chitosan have the potential to replace plastics made from petroleum.