PRODUCTION & CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOPLASTICS FROM VEGETABLE PEELS-AN IDEAL STRATEGY FOR FOOD WASTE DISPOSAL

The use of bioplastics has gained momentum as it is biodegradable. Use of cost effective and easily available substrates in the production of polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) enhances its application and hence PHB can be successfully used as a substitute for plastics. The present work was performed to study the optimum production of polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) by bacteria isolated from soil and effluent samples using vegetable peels as carbon source and its efficiency was checked by PHB production at different time intervals. The maximum PHB production was observed with potato peel as carbon source. Thus, waste food as peels could be utilized as alternate sources of substrates for PHB production. Further investigations are undertaken.