Jessica Guaman, a student of environmental engineering and an assistant of "La Granja" journal in our branch campus in Quito, presented a biodegradable plastic made of whey during the 2019 Bio Community Bio Summit which took place in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 

It was the third annual world summit on biotechnology, biology and environment, it was held from the 11th to the 13th of October in order to present innovative research and strengthen this field. 

The project presented by Jesica Guaman recognizes that 80% of whey is thrown away in the drainage, which contaminates water, air and land. Therefore, she created biodegradable plastic from the fermentation of whey by means of efficient microorganisms with similar characteristics to conventional plastic such as morphology, resistance and aesthetics, but less harmful to the environment. "The project benefits the large dairy industries and small milk producers as it gives them an alternative to treat their liquid waste", she said

The idea of the project is to manufacture biodegradable products such as plastic bags, bottles, disposable cups, toothbrushes, among others; the mechanical properties are low, so being exposed to high temperatures changes their properties and if the price of these biopolymers is reduced, the applications increase.

"We cannot be sure of how much bioplastic could be generated in the world. However, through these imperfect formulas, plus the collaboration of friends wanting to improve the world, I am sure that we would contribute more efficiently to caring for our planet", she said.