Preparation of bioplastic by using Gracilaria verrucosa.

The usage of conventional plastics is one of the greatest environmental challenges. Due to their non degradable nature, they persist in the environment for extended periods by causing numerous problems including terrestrial and marine pollution. Moreover, conventional plastics contribute to long term ecological damage, water and soil pollution and air pollution through the incineration of plastic waste which releases toxic gases. This exacerbates climate change and contributes to respiratory illnesses. Replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable alternatives is a sustainable and effective solution. Among various methods of manufacturing biodegradable plastics, algal based bioplastics offer significant promise due to their renewable nature and minimal carbon footprint. In this research, Gracilaria verrucosa a red algal species was chosen due to its high polysaccharide content and ability to form stable polymer matrices. Key chemicals used in this process include potassium hydroxide , chlorine, sodium thiosulphate, ascorbic acid, starch and glycerol. The natural agar content in Gracilaria verrucosa acts as a natural gelling agent. According to the experiments carried out in this research, it is found that the mass was 8.79g, 210 μm, 6.72% moisture content, 1.94% water solubility, 3.69% water absorption, 0.0879gm2 GSM, 0.879g/cm3 and a thermal resistance of 108⁰C. The preparation of bioplastic by using Gracilaria verrucosa is a simple ,cost effective and an eco friendly method. It contribute to sustainable development and offers a promising solution for the problems caused by conventional plastics, moving us towards a greener and more sustainable future.