The increasing environmental impact of conventional petroleum-based plastics has encouraged the development of sustainable and biodegradable alternatives. In the present study, starch obtained from natural sources such as potato and sweet potato was used for the synthesis of biodegradable starch-based bioplastics. The bioplastic films were prepared through a simple casting method using glycerol (propan-1,2,3-triol) as a plasticizer and hydrochloric acid as a catalyst, followed by neutralization with sodium hydroxide. The prepared materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify functional groups and confirm the formation of polymeric structures. The FTIR spectra showed characteristic absorption bands corresponding to O–H, C–H, C=O, and C–O functional groups, indicating the successful formation of polyester-type bioplastic materials. Mechanical properties were evaluated using tensile strength measurements, where sweet potato starch bioplastic exhibited higher tensile strength compared to potato starch bioplastic. Biodegradability was assessed through soil burial tests, which demonstrated significant degradation within a short period, confirming the environmentally friendly nature of the material. The results indicate that starch-based bioplastics derived from natural agricultural sources can serve as promising alternatives to conventional plastics. These materials offer advantages such as renewability, biodegradability, and reduced environmental impact, making them suitable for applications in packaging, agriculture, and disposable products.

Keywords: Biodegradable Plastics; Starch-Based Bioplastics; Renewable Polymers; Green Materials; Plasticization;