An insight overview of bioplastics produced from cellulose extracted from plant material, its applications and degradation

The unrestrained consumption of conventional plastics across the globe has introduced noxious wastes in the environment. Therefore, recent years have gained much emphasis on the use of bioplastics as they serve as a greener and safer alternative. However, in order to fulfill consumer demand and replace conventional plastics from the market, bioplastics fall apart in terms of variety and cost of production. Some of the commonly used raw materials for bioplastic production include starch, polyhydroxybutyrate, ploy lactic acid etc. Cellulosic biomass, being abundant in nature holds immense potential for manufacturing eco-friendly plastics. So far, various cellulose derivatives have been exploited for bioplastic production, of which cellulose acetate stands apart due to its exhilarating physical and mechanical properties. Cellulose acetate films mimic conventional plastic in having high transparency, tensile strength and thermal stability, thus expanding their utility in food packaging, textile industry, production of cigarette filters and fashion accessories. This review outlines recent advances in the development of cellulose acetate based plastics and innovative methods used for their degradation.