Students flipping through their cable channels Tuesday night may have come across a familiar sight — the halls of the Food Sciences Building.

A History Channel program featuring ISU alumnus George Washington Carver highlighted research being done by ISU faculty members.

The research displayed on the program “Modern Marvels” involves the use of soybeans as an alternative to petrochemicals for the manufacturing of plastic, said Jay-lin Jane, professor of food science and human nutrition.

“The purpose of this research is several reasons,” Jane said. “We want to try to replace petro-based polymers because the supply of petroleum is running down. Also, the price of petroleum is quickly going up.”

Jane, who has been working on this project for nearly 12 years, said the well-being of the environment also factors in to their research on converting soybeans and soy proteins into plastics.

“There is recognition of the need to look into renewable resources,” Jane said. “So ag-based polymers are being investigated to replace petro-based chemicals.”

Perminus Mungara, assistant scientist in food science and human nutrition, said the soy-based plastics being developed are biodegradable.

“We know now we have a problem with the way we dispose of plastic,” Mungara said.

Mungara, who joined in the project eight years ago when commercial products were beginning to be developed from soy, said items being produced in their research include spoons and golf tees.

The products are designed to biodegrade and not hurt the environment if left out in environmental settings, he said.

“The spoons can be used by the Navy,” Mungara said. “They can throw them into the ocean and not need to worry. They can even be food for the fish.”

Jane said there is a wide spectrum of uses and possibilities for soy-based plastic. They are aiming to produce short service-life products, or everyday products that are quickly disposed of, she said.

Another benefit of using the soy proteins is that the byproducts created during production can be used, Jane said.

“The waste can be ground up and used as a conditioner for the soil,” she said. “It can enhance the yield of crops.”

Mungara said it is the organic qualities of the soy proteins that create such a good fertilizer for crops.

“A good thing about it is, after making it, you can use it again,” he said. “It’s very good for the farmers. We can convert the byproducts into other useful things, so there is no waste.”

Mungara said because of the uses of the soy’s byproducts, agriculture is becoming self-sufficient.

Jane said other unique advantages to using the soy proteins for plastic production include its ability to be used along with other biopolymers, its resistance to flammability and the production of toxic fumes and its antistatic properties.

Jane and Mungara said their research was paired with Carver’s on the History Channel because of their involvement with food science research at Iowa State, as well as their desire to utilize agriculture as a way to manufacture products.

“He suggested peanuts could be used for things other than food,” Mungara said. “This is a continuation of that.”

The “Modern Marvels” program included footage shot approximately one month ago of Jane and Mungara converting the soy to plastic and showing how it can be molded to create products.

Mungara said he hopes the program helps to continue research at Iowa State.