PRODUCTION OF SEAWEED DERIVED BIOPLASTICS

Since worldwide distribution of non-degradable plastic waste causes serious environmental pollution, growing efforts have been made to replace traditional petroleum derived plastics with biological ones. The present paper focuses on seaweed (macroalgae) detritus as a potential feedstock for bioplastic production, since significant quantities of seaweed residues are available in the research site - Kurzeme coast (Western Latvia). This study aims to adapt the method for polylactic acid (PLA) plastics manufacturing from red seaweed Furcellaria lumbricalis (black carrageen) and to manipulate properties of the plastic material produced. Furcellaria material has been gathered on Kurzeme coast in Liepaja city and brought to the Liepaja University for carrageenan substances isolation/separation. The samples were thoroughly washed with tap water, then boiled for 2 hours and hot filtered into cold isopropanol and subsequently blended with plasticizers (glycerine, potato starch, seaweed particles) in order to achieve the desirable physical and thermomechanical properties of the carrageenan product. At the end, the samples were dried at temperature 25 degrees C for 24 hours. Carrageenan material was improved through combining two plasticizers (potato starch and glycerine) - bioplastic was suitable now for manufacturing spoons, cups, packaging boxes, etc. Still, research results should be considered as preliminary ones - further studies are necessary to develop compatible bioplastic from Furcellaria.