They produced biodegradable plastic from tea factory waste

Ecem Naz Yılmaz and Ayşegül Çabuk, under the guidance of chemistry teacher Bahtışen Ramoğlu at the Faruk Başaran Science and Art Center, prepared a project titled "Production and Characterization of Hemicellulose-Based Antibacterial Hydrogel from Tea Factory Waste."

The young students, who produced a bioplastic that can decompose in nature in a short time from raw materials obtained from tea factory waste as part of the project, aim to contribute to both the environment and the economy.

A PRODUCT THAT CAN BE USED IN DIAPERS AND WOUND DRESSINGS

Project advisor and chemistry teacher Bahtışen Ramoğlu stated that their main goal in the project was to make plastics from waste that can decompose in nature in a short time. Stating that they used tea factory waste for this purpose, Ramoğlu said, "With the raw material we obtained from tea factory waste, we made a biodegradable product that can decompose in nature, to which we can add antibacterial (bacterial growth-inhibiting) properties if we wish, and which can also swell with water if we want."

Ramoğlu explained that the product they made is also known as a hydrogel, and continued as follows:

"Because it swells with water, it is a product that can be used especially in baby diapers, wound dressings, and even in retaining water in the soil. We tested this on a wound dressing. For this, we utilized the antibacterial properties of natural cinnamon oil and obtained positive results."

Emphasizing that the students are continuing their work to develop the project, Ramoğlu said, "In the next phase, we are thinking of commercializing our project. We have also filed our patent application and are waiting for the results. In this way, we aim to contribute to both the environment and the economy."

One of the students, Ayşegül Çabuk, explained that since they are students at the Science and Art Center, they have been working on such projects since the 5th grade.

Stating that they are carrying out the project to bring tea waste into the economy, Çabuk said, "This study of ours took 3 years. We are still continuing our work. We want to develop this further and enter mass production."

Drawing attention to the importance of the product they obtained, Çabuk noted the following:

"Since the product we obtained is biodegradable, it will prevent environmental pollution. At the same time, since we are utilizing waste, we will minimize the damage caused to nature by burning waste. In this way, we will also have obtained products that can be used in many areas at a low cost."

News Source: AA

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