ISSN : 2663-2187

A Comparative Study on Green Microalgae ( Chlorella sp. sp.) And Blue Green Microalgae ( Spirulina sp .) Properties as An Alternative for Bioplastic

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Nur Syafiqah Abd Hakim, Asmida Ismail, [2] Fatmawati Adam, Fazlena Hamzah, Normawaty Mohammad Noor, Faeiza Buyong
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.12.2024.3905-3912

Abstract

The escalating environmental issues caused by the widespread use of conventional plastics have necessitated the exploration of sustainable alternatives. Algae-based bioplastics are gaining attention due to their potential to contribute to sustainable living due to their biodegradability and lower environmental impact. Therefore, this study investigates the properties of bioplastics derived from algae; Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp. compared to the conventional plastic. This study compared algae-based plastic and conventional plastic based on various characteristics crucial for plastic applications, including moisture content, tensile strength (encompassing breaking strength and elongation), thickness, and water solubility. The findings reveal that conventional plastics exhibit the highest moisture content at 71.06 ± 2.23%, followed by Chlorella and Spirulina. It is worth noting that excess moisture content potentially leads to material degradation and a decrease in mechanical properties. On the other hand, Spirulina bioplastics demonstrate outstanding mechanical properties, with a remarkable tensile strength (3.837 ± 0.95N), elongation (102.50 ± 13.77 mm), and thickness (0.14 ± 0.449 mm), indicating better durability and resilience over both Chlorella bioplastics and conventional plastics. Moreover, Spirulina bioplastics show significantly greater solubility in hot (0.77 ± 0.10 mm3s-1) and tap water (0.82 ± 0.13 mm3s-1), outperforming Chlorella bioplastics and vastly surpassing conventional plastics exhibiting minimal solubility, indicating Spirulina has better environmental compatibility. This study provides preliminary findings that conclusively highlight the better performance of Spirulina-based bioplastics in several critical aspects, advocating their potential as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastics, aligning with sustainable living goals. Further comprehensive research is necessary to fully understand the potential of algae-based bioplastics as an alternative to conventional plastics.

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