Nowadays, almost all plastics are manufactured from petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels and gas [1]. Approximately 4% of annual petroleum production is converted directly into polymers using petrochemical feedstock [2]. Plastic manufacture uses a comparable quantity of fossil fuels since it demands energy[3]. Plastics play vital roles in modern society, public health, and medicine. Plastics are heavily used in human society due to their resistance to chemical, physical, and biological deterioration [4]. This is especially relevant in the healthcare industry. As with many other modern-day uses of plastics, a basic benefit in medicine and public health is the versatility of these materials combined with an exceptionally low cost, allowing the mass production of disposable single-use health care products that are functional and clean [5]. Plastic contamination in the natural environment has sparked widespread concern among scholars and the general population. Organisms can ingest or become entangled in plastic trash, making it hazardous to the entire environment [6]. Plastics are synthetic or semi-synthetic organic polymers that are low-cost, lightweight, strong, long-lasting, and corrosion-resistant [7]. When exposed to UV radiation, they become brittle, split into small pieces, and finally disintegrate, whether in direct sunlight or the ocean [8]. However, the actual time necessary for plastic. The ability to completely decay in the maritime environment is questionable. The ability to completely decay in the maritime environment is questionable [9]. Fishing nets, ropes, and plastic bags are among the many types of plastic rubbish seen in nature [10]. It is estimated that 50% of plastic products, including silverware, plastic bags, and packaging, are intended to be disposable [11]. As a result, annual plastic manufacture has dramatically increased, from 1.5 million in the 1950s to an estimated 299 million in 2013 [12]. The most common methods for disposing of unwanted plastics are burning and land filling. However, due to soil and air pollution, these approaches are drawing increasing social criticism [13].

Furthermore, economic opposition derives from higher space and disposal costs. As a result, one of the often used alternate strategies for recycling waste plastics is the recovery of fuel oil and hydrocarbon feedstock through the thermal or catalytic breakdown of carbon and hydrogen-containing polymers [14]. Plastic is described as any organic synthetic or processed substance, primarily thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers with high molecular weight, that may be molded into objects, films, or filaments (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) [15]. These synthetic macromolecular chemicals are mostly sourced from petroleum and are frequently non-biodegradable. The most common petroleum-based plastics are polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [16]. These polymers have been widely used in all areas of human activity, establishing plastics as a really huge industry [17]. The flexible organic compounds that comprise synthetic plastic are artificial or semi-artificial in nature. Since the 1940s, synthetic plastics have altered civilization due to their interesting properties, which include mechanical strength, light weight, flexibility, and durability. These characteristics are attributable to a low-cost material that can replace things made of metal, glass, and paper [18].

Bioplastic synthesis utilizing water hyacinth as a filler involves combining the plant's cellulose-rich biomass with biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) [19]. The water hyacinth is first harvested, dried, and processed into a powder or fiber, which is then mixed with the biopolymer and other additives. The blend is subsequently extruded or injection-molded to form the desired shape. The incorporation of water hyacinth filler enhances the bioplastic's mechanical properties, thermal stability, and biodegradability, while reducing production costs and environmental impact [20]. The resulting biocomposite exhibits improved tensile strength, stiffness, and UV resistance, making it suitable for various applications, including packaging, textiles, and agricultural mulches. This sustainable approach not only reutilizes invasive water hyacinth but also contributes to the development of eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics [21].

2.      Materials and Methods

Potato peel starch, Glycerol {HOCH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH}, Starch soluble (C₆H₁₀O₅), and Glacial acetic acid (CH₃COOH) (5%), (Merck).

2.1 Sample Collection

In this paper, potato and Eichhornia crassipes (Water hyacinth) as filler were taken from the stock of Siddhachalam Laboratory Raipur (C.G.)

2.2 Preparation of Plasticizer

Plasticizers are added to starch to increase its flexibility because starch on its own is brittle. Among the common plasticizers is glycerol. These plasticizers increase the flexibility and processability of starch by breaking down its crystalline structure.

2.3    Preparation of potato peel starch (PPP)

Potato peel bioplastic (PPP) was created with somewhat altered techniques of thoroughly cleaning; the peels were cut into smaller pieces and boiled for 30 minutes with water. The water was ruined and disposed of, and the peels were blended into a paste. The necessary amounts of potato peel paste, 5 ml of glacial acetic acid (5%) solution, 5 ml/5 g of plasticizer, and the necessary amount of reinforcing filler Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) were added to a beaker and carefully agitated in order to synthesize the bioplastic samples. The mixture was stirred constantly as it boiled for 20 minutes at 220°C; after that, the cooked mixture was transferred to an aluminum foil-lined petriplate and left to dry at room temperature.

2.4 Preparing starch-based bioplastic

To prepare the bioplastic samples, 100g of potato peel, 5 ml of glacial acetic acid (5%) solution, and 5ml/5g of plasticizer were combined. The mixture simmered at 220°C for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. Following that, the starch-based sample combination was placed in a furnace and allowed to dry at room temperature for an entire day.

Fig.1: Starch based Bioplastics

2.5    Characterization method

2.5.1  Moisture content

Weighing bioplastic samples measuring 6 cm² allowed us to determine the initial weight (W₁). For 24 hours, the samples were dried in an oven, at 80°C. To get the final weight (W₂), the samples were weighed again [22]. The following formula was then used to calculate the moisture content:

2.4.2 Absorption of water

Bioplastic samples measuring 6 cm² were measured to determine their initial weight (W₁) and incubated for 24 hours at room temperature in a beaker filled with 50 ml distilled water. Following a 24-hour period, the bioplastic was recovered using water filtration, and its initial weight (W₁) was determined by measuring its weight. Subsequently, the bioplastic samples were oven-dried for 24 hours at 80°C in order to determine their dry weight (W₂) [23]. The following formula was used to determine the absorption of water:

2.4.3 Absorption of alcohol

Bioplastic samples (6 cm²) were dried in an oven at 85°C for 24 hours to determine their dry weight (W₁). Following that, the samples were placed in test tubes with lids and left at room temperature for 24 hours in 3 mL of ethanol. After filtering the water, the bioplastic residue was dried for 24 hours at 85°C in an oven and weighed to establish the final weight (W₂) [24]. The following formula was used to calculate the solubility:

2.4.4 Biodegradability test

Weighing bioplastic samples measuring 6 cm² allowed us to determine the initial weight (W₁). The samples were stored for five days at room temperature, covered with two centimeters of damp garden soil in Styrofoam cups. Then, after keeping the soil moist for five days, the bioplastic residue was removed from the soil, washed with water, and dried for 24 hours at 85°C in an oven. The soil was then weighed once more to determine the final weight (W₂) [25]. The following formula was used to determine the biodegradability.

3. Results and Discussion

Results indicate that bioplastics derived from renewable resources show promising potential as alternatives to conventional bioplastics. While mechanical properties and durability of some bioplastics are comparable to traditional plastics, challenges remain in scaling production and reducing costs. Further research is needed to optimize biodegradability and enhance performance across diverse applications before widespread adoption can

3.1 Moisture-Content 

When plasticizer was applied, the moisture content of bioplastics rose. The bioplastic samples containing glycerol had the highest moisture content values. This was addressed in a previous study, which demonstrated that glycerol is composed of hydroxyl groups that are attracted to water molecules, allowing them to establish hydrogen bonds and retain water.

Fig. 2: Moisture content of Bioplastics

3.2    Solubility in water

When plasticizer was added to bioplastics, the water solubility values increased. The crystalline structure of starch molecules, which is made up of hydrogen bonds, can be used to explain why starch granules are insoluble in cold water. Similar to how water is absorbed and retained with a moisture content, samples containing glycerol as a plasticizer also showed the highest solubility of starch-based bioplastics in water. This is because the glycerol-containing samples are more attracting and have a lower molecular weight, which makes it easier for water molecules to enter polymer chains. Water solubility was shown to decrease when fillers were added to potato peel starch bioplastics. This is because potato peels are primarily starch, and starch granules are insoluble in water at normal temperature. Fillers, such as potato peel paste, are either very slightly soluble or insoluble in water.

Fig. 3: Solubility in water of Bioplastics

3.3    Solubility in alcohol.

Plasticizer was added to potato peel starch bioplastics to improve their solubility in alcohol. Plasticizer addition was observed to increase. The sample using glycerol as a plasticizer showed the highest levels of water absorption and starch-based Bioplastics' solubility in water, which corresponded with the trend of moisture content. The pure glycerol plasticized Bioplastic weighed 1.5068g and 1.1489g after 24 and 45 hours, respectively. After 48 hours of exposure, it reached 23.75%, the water absorption test plot indicates the differences in water absorption between the 5% and 95.2% glycerol plasticized Bioplastics. Glycerol-plasticized starch-based Bioplastics become increasingly hydrophilic as glycerol concentration increases due to glycerol's strong ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules through its hydroxyl group.

Fig. 4: Soluble in Alcohol of Bioplastics

3.4    Biodegradable

Surface area, molecular weight, water affinity, and chemical structure are some of the physiochemical properties of bioplastics produced during the biodegradation process. As certain their capacity for biodegradation. While adding fillers (5% w/v) reduced biodegradation ability in the plasticized sample, increasing filler quantity from 5% w/v to 10% w/v increased biodegradation. Plasticizer was discovered to accelerate the biodegradation of the bioplastics sample. Plasticizer's affinity for glycerol enhances biodegradation and water absorption in samples. The sample containing glycerol had the highest level of biodegradation.

Fig. 5: Biodegradable Bioplastics

3.5    Observation table

Table 1: Showing the table four different% degraded potato peel starch-based bioplastics

Conclusion

This study concludes that starch-based bioplastics have been effectively manufactured from potatoes. These products have far higher biodegradable characteristics than traditional polymers. Bioplastics are derived from sustainable plant resources, providing a variety of alternatives for plastics production. This review has discussed bioplastics, including their kind, degradability, standards, advantages, and downsides. A potato-starch bioplastic with Eichhornia crassipes filler has been created. The water absorption and biodegradability of the bioplastic have also been assessed. Adding Eichhornia crassipes filler to potato starch-based bioplastic increases tensile strength by 4.94%, reduces water absorption by 84.89%, and increases weight loss in biodegradability by 45.65% within 5 days. Adding Eichhornia crassipes filler improves tensile strength by 1.28%, reduces water absorption by 84.89%, and increases weight loss in biodegradability by 45.65%. Using Eichhornia crassipes fillers reduced tensile strength and Young Modulus by a small amount. There was no trial and error in the experiment, resulting in 84.89% and 45.65%, respectively. Bioplastic samples with low water absorption and significant weight loss are more likely to disintegrate quickly. The addition of Eichhornia crassipes as a filler improves the potato starch-based bioplastic, according to testing and production results. Bioplastics should be used sparingly and with tailored features. However, it is critical that we assess the environmental disadvantages of bioplastics against the problems produced by traditional plastics. Future studies should undertake comprehensive LCAs and LUC evaluations to prove the eco-friendliness of these novel bioplastics. Such studies will assist policymakers in determining if the usage of new-generation bioplastics is good for the environment.