Formação docente e práticas experimentais sustentáveis: bioplástico de fruta-pão aplicado à conservação de tomates

Abstract

Growing concerns about the environmental impacts of synthetic plastics have driven the search for sustainable alternatives, such as starch-based bioplastics, which are materials that combine technological application and educational potential. In this context, breadfruit starch (Artocarpus altilis) emerges as a promising yet underexplored raw material for producing biodegradable coatings, especially within approaches that integrate research and teacher training. This study aimed to extract breadfruit starch, develop a bioplastic, qualitatively evaluate its application as a coating for preserving tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), and connect this investigation to the teacher training process. The research, of a qualitative and experimental nature, was conducted at IFPE – Campus Barreiros and involved grinding, washing, decantation, and drying procedures of the breadfruit starch, resulting in a product used to produce the films. Three formulations were tested with variations in the proportions of starch, water, glycerin, and acetic acid, with Test III being selected for exhibiting the best balance between flexibility, transparency, and resistance. In the applied stage, one tomato was coated with the bioplastic and another kept uncoated was used as a control during a 13-day observation period. While the control tomato showed visible deterioration, the coated fruit maintained uniform color and exhibited a lower incidence of fungi, proving the efficiency of the biodegradable film. Besides highlighting the technological potential of breadfruit, the results also reinforce the importance of sustainable investigative practices in teacher training, promoting the development of critical, reflective teachers capable of integrating environmental themes into science education