The problem of plastic pollution has been steadily increasing over time. In response, an American researcher at an agricultural research center has been studying a new approach to tackling this issue. The researcher has focused a significant amount of time on investigating the possibility of converting agricultural waste into bioplastics.
In recent efforts, the researcher has used dairy waste, particularly lactose (a sugar produced as a by-product in the dairy industry). Lactose, composed of saccharides, has a chemical structure that makes it possible to be transformed into bioplastics. Using this substance as a starting material, the researcher has successfully converted it into polyurethane and other bioplastics, with potential widespread applications in various industries and consumer products.
One of his remarkable achievements has been the use of microwave technology, which enabled him to achieve quicker results in creating biopolymers. Additionally, since lactose is a disaccharide made up of galactose and glucose sugars, there is a possibility that it is biodegradable, although further research is needed to confirm this.
A key challenge facing scientists in developing bioplastics is replicating the properties of conventional plastics, such as hardness and flexibility. The bioplastics made from lactose do not yet provide all the desired characteristics. These materials could be useful for specific applications like insulation, use in furniture, footwear, rubber flooring, or some medical devices. However, according to further studies by this researcher, there is potential for these materials to be used in even broader applications.
Overall, he believes that bioplastics may not be able to fully replace all existing plastics, but they could capture a significant share of the plastics market. Ultimately, these new bioplastics represent a win-win solution for industry, farmers, and consumers alike.
