Comparative Assessment of the Biodegradability and Ecotoxicological Impact of Sugar Bagasse Bioplastic and Petroleum-Based Plastics

Abstract

The environmental persistence of conventional petroleum-based plastics has catalyzed a shift toward lignocellulosic agricultural byproducts. This study investigates the environmental fate and biological safety of a newly developed Sugar Bagasse Bioplastic compared to a standard petroleum-based polymer. Through a 37-day soil burial analysis, the bagasse bioplastic demonstrated significant degradation kinetics, characterized by a 9.94% weight loss (10.054g to 9.054g) and a 20.06% reduction in tensile strength (6.43 MPa to 5.14 MPa). In contrast, the petroleum control remained structurally inert with negligible mass change.