Chemistry Project Abstract
THE BIODEGRADIBILITY OF A CORN PROTEIN POLYMER
Presenter:
Heidi Kim, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; hhhada@imsa.edu
Advisor:
Dr. Donald Dosch, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Biology, Aurora, IL, 60506; 630-907-5943; ddosch@imsa.edu
Abstract:
As conventional plastics are persistent in the environment, improperly disposed plastic materials are a significant source of environmental pollution. It has been discovered that starch-based plastics are better for the environment in that traditional plastics can take more than fifty years to decompose naturally, where as a starch-based plastic will biodegrade ten to twenty times faster. In this project, small blocks were created out of zein (corn gluten) to test the biodegradability of corn protein based polymers. Identical in shape and size, each block was closely monitored in moist soil kept at room temperature to measure the progress of biodegradability of the substance. Results were found based on reduction of mass by unearthing 2-3 blocks per week for a period of 4-6 weeks. These results suggest that zein polymers are an effective biodegradable substance. The future for biodegradable plastics is very promising as many everyday items could easily be replaced with more environment-friendly products.