MOUNTAIN PROVINCE GENERAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL Poblacion, Bontoc, Mountain Province Banana (Musa paradisiaca) Bark as Cardboard Paper February 13,2020 Researchers Aniwasal, Arlyn C. Faed, Junice F. Fegcan, Shekinah D. Research Teacher Ms Emelyn S. Gayob Chapter I Introduction Banana (Musa paradisiaca, family Musaceae) is a major fruit crop of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Philippines produced 9.36 million metric tonnes of bananas on 447,889 ha, with Cavendish cultivars accounting for about 52% of total banana production in 2018. Banana (Musa paradisiaca) grows almost everywhere in Philippines round the year. Banana crop produces large quantities of post-harvest biomass waste. Currently 35,580 tons of waste are dumped everyday including waste from which banana fiber can be extracted. Some of them are a potential resource of raw materials such as natural fibers, which can be used as reinforcement for composite materials. A good number of methods have so far been studied for the extraction of banana fiber. Extracted fibers from fruit and bunch stems of banana plant by water retting and showed that bunch stem fibers were superior in terms of fineness, initial modulus and breaking strength. Ganan et al. (2004) extracted banana fiber from stem and bunch of banana waste by alkalization and salinization followed by mechanical treatment. The extracted banana fiber has been studied for reinforcing material for lignocellulosic composite materials (Alavudeen et al., 2015; Joseph et al., 2006; Srinivasababu et al., 2009), pulp (Rahman et al., 2014), cellulose microfibrils (Cherian et al., 2008; Elanthikkal et al., 2010). Spin ability of banana fiber, fineness and tensile strength make it usable in several different textiles with different weights and thicknesses, based on what part of the banana stem the fiber was extracted from. Enzymatic treatment of extracted banana fibers spinning showed suitability of yarns production (Ortega et al., 2016). Background of the study The researchers conduct the study about banana bark as paper because it is important for us students to take part in ensuring, protecting and conserving our environment. The best way students can contribute to a better environment is not to waste paper. Students should learn how to recycle some materials, like the paper. It is important for us to start looking at our environment and see it for what it really is, a source of abundance. An abundance of materials and energy that can be used to create useful eco-friendly everyday products that we can use, share and sell. Banana paper is made from fibers that are left over from the processing of bananas. The long sinuous fibers are formed into a paper that is highly distinctive. This type of paper refers to as “eco paper” as the paper uses fibers that go to waste system. Banana paper is extremely textured and make an interesting addition to stamping and scrap booking projects. The research study was conducted to examine the potential of banana bark as an alternative paper for the commercial branded one. Statement of the problem General objective: Hypothesis 1. There is no significant difference between the experimental and the commercial branded one Significance of the study We the people living in society, are the ones who will benefit in the researcher’s study. Also, the animals, plants and other living things in this world will also benefit in the researcher’s study. One of the objectives of this study is that, banana paper should ensure and provide concerns on how to conserve and preserve our environment. Reducing waste is good for reducing all three triple bottom lines of: environment, financial, social/community impact. Scope and Limitations of the study The researcher’s wanted to make paper out of banana barks. Aside from it helps our environment in making it clean and green, it also helps in making the production of paper in a greener way. The banana paper is made from banana barks that are chopped. It is also one of the raw materials the researcher’s used in this study. After chopping the banana bark it was boiled in a pot. The researchers then removed it and placed it on a silkscreen and spread it until dry. The researchers also studied the possible price range of the product when compared to an ordinary paper sold in the market. The researchers also studied the possible disadvantages and advantages of the banana paper when released to public, lastly the researchers wanted to know if it will work like an ordinary paper. Basically, the researchers are trying to save more trees and the mother earth in their own simple way. The study is basically produced to see and prove that banana barks are also alternatives to make a paper. Chapter II Review of Related Literature Musa paradisiaca (banana) as source of fiber Banana is one of the most important fruit crop plants and belongs to the Genus Musa. After harvesting the fruit, the plant is cut down and thrown away, mostly as waste. The banana plant is largely divided into three parts pseudostem, peduncle and leaf. The banana stem forms a major source of waste material. But today, most of banana fibers are used for making ropes and cordage. Coconut fiber have been softened in four ways namely autoclaving, boiling in NaOH, soaking in NaOH solution and passing through mechanical gears. Bananas, native to tropical countries like Asia, are renowned world over for their nutritious fruit. What is often referred to as a banana "tree" is really a non-woody plant and its "bark" is the external covering of its upright stem. Various parts of the plant find different uses. Banana board is a substitute wood product, like plywood, which is prepared from the bark of the banana plant. It is used for acoustic panels, partition walls, insulating panels, false ceilings, packing material and as expansion joint pads for bridge construction. Banana paper is made from the waste of the banana tree bark. The paper is semi-transparent and has a pronounced texture with dark chips and flecks. Banana paper is used for creative and decorative purposes. Banana fiber is extensively used as blending material in textile industry in countries like Philippines, Malaysia, Japan and Korea. It can be easily blended with other fibers such as jute and mesta being natural fibers. Therefore, lots of industrial products like gunny bags, door mats, carpets, yarn, ropes, geo-textiles, trivialities, luggage carriers and interior decorative crafts paper, tissue paper, paper bag, etc. can be made from this fiber, where great strength is required. Chapter III Methodology Materials Materials Quantity Procedure Collection of banana bark The banana barks otherwise called pseudostem sheaths, was brought by the researchers. The pseudostem sheaths of fallen banana trees were gathered and were set aside. Chopping of the banana bark The banana barks are chopped into several thin and fine pieces by the researchers. A bolo was used to chop the banana bark easily. Boiling of the banana bark The pieces of the banana bark are placed in a casserole or pot for boiling until it reaches its maximum boiling point. The researchers stirred it constantly. Blending After boiling remove the pot from the stove and pour the mixture into the blender. Blend it until its texture is slurry. Making the cardboard paper Take the banana bark mixture and put it in a silkscreen or fine mesh screen. Ladle the banana bark mixture onto the screen, spreading the slurry lightly and consistently the banana paper will dry Final product When the paper is dry, take the paper off the paper from the silkscreen carefully and there you have the final product. Treatment of data Treatments Colors Treatment 1 (paper tree as cardboard paper) Treatment 2 (Musa paradisiaca as cardboard paper) Treatments Texture Treatment 1 (paper tree as cardboard paper) Treatment 2 (Musa paradisiaca as cardboard paper) Treatments size Treatment 1 (paper tree as cardboard paper) Treatment 2 (Musa paradisiaca as cardboard paper) Statistical tool The researcher used ANOVA/F-TEST in order to compare the commercial product to the researcher’s experiment if there is any difference between the commercial product and the researcher’s product. Reference Bergh, I.V., Picq, C., & Vezina, A. (2013). Where Bananas are Grown. ProMusa. BioversityInternational. 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