Thesis (B.S.) -- Cagayan State University, 2023.
Includes bibliographical references.

As we progress into the modern era, there has been a significant surge in the utilization of plastic materials. However, this widespread usage has resulted in a corresponding escalation of plastic waste, necessitating the exploration of alternative materials such as bioplastics. Taro starch-based films reinforced with kapok fiber at different concentrations (0, 3, 5, and 8w/wt%) were developed. Cellulose from the kapok fiber was obtained by alkaline treatment (delignification) and bleaching. The films were produced by either sun and oven drying of the gelatinized mixture of taro starch, glycerol, and citric at constant weight in all the films. Physicochemical properties of the film were determined and found out that there is an improvement in the characteristics with increasing the kapok fiber concentration. The film with 8% kapok concentration has the best mechanical properties (tensile strength 4.74 MPa, percent elongation of 2.10%), water absorption characteristics, and degradability (within a span of 155 days, all the films will undergo complete biodegradation). However, there is no significant difference between the kapok fiber reinforcement to the thermal stability of the films. Overall, the study demonstrates that the addition of cellulose powder to starch-based bioplastics yields superior film materials, serving as a viable replacement for petroleum-based plastics.

Keywords: Bioplastic, Bleaching, Delignification, Kapok, Plasticizer, Starch-based, Soil burial method, Taro.