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Utilization of
Malunggay Stem Fibers
(Moringa Oleifera) as a
component in Paper
Making

Groups 5 & 11
17 Karyn Fazon
18 Shenna Felomino
19 Moirra Garcia
20 Ellaine Gayya
37 Elize Simon
38 Karol Simsuangco
39 Keana Trasporte
IV St. Angela
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TABLE OF CONTENTS


I. Title Page..1

II. Table of Contents..2

III. Abstract.............................3

IV. Introduction...4

V. Specific Problems/Objectives and Hypothesis..5

VI. Review of Related Literature.6

VII. Materials & Procedure...8

VIII. Results and Discussion..10

IX. Conclusion.11

X. Recommendation...11

XI. References/Sources12















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ABSTRACT

The aim of this experiment was to know if malunggay stem fibers could be used as an
alternative to trees in producing papers just like those papers sold in the market. Some of its parts
have already proven to produce different products.
The researchers grinded the malunggay stem fibers and mixed it with glue, water and
paper. The researchers then, made a mold, placed the mixture in the mold and let it dry under the
sun.
The researchers made two set-ups concerning the amount of malunggay stem fibers. The
first set-up that consists of 1 cup of malunggay stem fibers and the same amount of glue, water
and paper resulted to a soft paper. The second set-up that consists of 2 cups of malunggay stem
fibers and the still the same amount of glue, water and paper resulted to a hard and rough paper.
It is also durable and difficult to torn unlike the former.
There were several set-ups to test different qualities of the product from different
mixtures. Each was subjected to test that measures the strength, flexibility and resistance to
pressure.
The researchers then conclude that the finished product can produce paper but its not as
beautiful and as smooth as other papers in the market.







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INTRODUCTION


Scarcity of trees is still a problem with the overgrowing demand of cardboards. These
trees are important in producing cardboard. The researchers would like to find other alternative
materials in making cardboard so that scarcity of trees will be lessened.
Malunggay(Moringa Oleifera) is common in the Philippines. It is a popular plant known
for nutritional value as well as a herbal medicine. It is a plant that grows in the tropical climates
such as the Philippines, India and Africa. Malunggay is widely used as vegetable ingredient in
cooking, as herbal medicine for a number of illness and other practical uses.
Aside from malunggay being used for cooking and as herbal medicines, the researchers
would like to find out if it can be used in cardboard making? The researchers came up with the
idea that malunggay stem can make cardboard because there were fibers that is also important in
the production of cardboard.
Scope and Limitation:
The research was focused on the making of cardboard from the malunggay stem fibers.
The materials in the preparation of the project were collected in places where malunggay can be
found. If the project would be successful, it would be tested by few people.











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SPECIFIC PROBLEMS/OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESIS

Statement of the Problem
Through this investigatory project, the researchers would like to find out the answers to
the following:
1. What are the different processes involved in paper making?
2. Can Malunggay stem fibers be used as a substitute in paper making?
3. What will be the texture of the product?
Hypothesis:
If there are more malunggay fibers, then the paper will be rougher and thicker because
the fibers of malunggay will make the paper more compact.












REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

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According to Nina Rotz essay entitled Plants Used to Make Paper, papermaking can be
considered as a form of art since it turns seeds into a unique texture, color and pattern. It is said
that Egyptians were the first to make papers out of a wetland plant called papyrus by layering
strips and pounding them together. There are six kinds on how to make a paper out of a plant or
its part. First is the paper from leaves. All plants have fibers but plants like iris, yucca, corn,
skins of onions and rice, have more fibers compared to other plants. Second is the paper from
stalks. It is said that plants like sunflowers, bamboo, wetland reeds and rushes, can also be
converted in paper because of its stringy stalks. Third is other fibers. These fibers that come
next to the outer bark of trees can be an alternative to make papers. Cotton fibers that surround
cotton seeds make papers that have the highest quality. Fourth is the common burdock. This is
one kind of plant that is 100% useful since it can be used to make paper and its stem, root and
leaves can be cooked for fibrous pulp. The entire plant will be helpful for all of us. Next is the
cooking plant fiber. The step needed in order to make paper is somewhat hard, because the live
plants have to be cooked immediately for its fibers to be softened. And lastly, blending fibers.
This could be somewhat tricky or confusing. One should cook the fibers then, blend or beat it
this is to intertwine and soak up with water and as the fiber is beaten to pulp, the water filled
fibers knit and will turn into a solution that when fried, the result would be paper pages.
Malunggay has many fibers that can be used as handmade paper. Malunggay known
scientifically by its botanical name, Moringa Oleifera (also called kamunggay by Visayans and
marunggay by Ilocanos) is a miracle tree in the Philippines and in all tropics. It is so rich in
nutrients that its image is used as the official logo of the Food and Nutrient Research Industry
(FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It has so many fibers that are
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applicable in making paper. Not only malunggay can be used as a material in papermaking.
Aside from it, paper tree, bangkal and Bermuda grass can also be used in papermaking.
The bark of malunggay tree can be used as a component for papermaking since most of
its fibers are acceptable in making paper. It is a softwood, ideal for making the pulp that will b
eused and its foing to make the paper strong but the finish is rougher thats not useable for
writing.
Paperboard is a paper like material, usually even ten mils (0.010 inch, or 0.25mm) in
thickness. Some types of paperboard (corrugating medium and linerboard) are used in the
construction of corrugated fiberboard. Other types of paperboard are used for folding cartons,
set-up boxes, carded packaging, etc.
Thickness, bulk and caliper are significant aspects to paperboard manufacture as the end
product must be able to withstand the bending forces of packaging, load carrying, shipping etc,
while still maintaining their shape. Consequently, these paperboard products are sometimes
composed of two or more plies to provide the required stiffness.









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Materials and Procedure

Materials:
1 kg Malunggay, knives/cutter, basin, 3-4 cups of water, blender, measuring cups,
tablespoon, teaspoon, 3-4 cups of white glue, molder, deckle, 5-8 scratch papers, cookie sheet
Procedure:
Phase I. Production of Wood Pulp from the fibers
Collecting
The researchers collected malunggay stems enough to supply the project. Using knives,
the researchers removed the fibers from the stems and collect them. The fibers will then be torn
to pieces and be mixed with torn papers.
Soaking
After mixing, the researchers put the torn fibers and torn papers in a basin or bucket of
warm water and let it be soaked for at least two hours; overnight is better. This will break down
the fibers to make the mixture easier to mash in the blender.
Blending
In set up A, the researchers put 1 cup of malunggay fibers and 1 cup of mixed water and
glue into the blender and mixed it. In set up B, the researchers mixed 2 cups of malunggay fibers
and 1cup of mixed water and glue.
The mixture was blended from medium level to high level until it has the consistency of
thin oatmeal.
Phase II- Turning of Wood Pulp into Cardboard
Making of a mold and deckle
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A mold is a screen-covered frame. The researchers will cut the window screen an inch or
two larger than the frame in all directions, hold it taut, and staple it to the back side of the frame.
Putting the pulp into the mold
The researcher will fill the rubber tub with two to six inches of water. The goal is to put
the pulp in a watery suspension so it can be evenly distributed on the screen. The researcher will
add about one blender full of pulp for every two inches of water. The amount of the pulp in the
water will determine the thickness of the paper, so the researchers may have to experiment with
different ratios once they see how the sheets turn out.
After the researchers stirs the mixture, they will gently lower the mold at an angle, screen
side up, into the tub starting with one edge and slide it to a horizontal position near the bottom.
Gently shake the frame(s) back and forth, and then quickly lift the screen straight up, allowing
fibers to cover it and the water to drain through. The researchers will drain excess water back
into the tub, resting the screen on the corner of the tub. (Instead of dipping the screen, some
people simply pour blended pulp directly through the screen and tip it side to side so the pulp
spreads out evenly.)
Drying
The researchers will use a sponge, cloth, or paper towels to gently pat off excess water
from the back side of the screen. Next, they will lay a piece of felt on top of the paper on the
screen and turn it over onto a hard surface (e.g., a cookie sheet). (Water will run right through the
felt.)



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Results and Discussion

Set-ups Mixture Characteristics
A
1 cup of fibers and papers and
1 cup of mixed water and glue
soft
B
2 cups of fibers and papers
and 1 cup of mixed water and
glue
rough, hard, brittle


The researchers made 2 set ups, wherein the first mixture was a ratio of one cup of fibers
and torn papers and one cup of glue. We found out that in set-up A, the finished product was soft
and certainly cannot be a source of cardboard. On the other hand, in set-up B, the researchers
made a mixture in a ratio of 2 cups of malunggay fibers and torn papers and 1 cup of glue. In the
two set-ups, only the amount of glue remained constant. We found out that the finished product
was rough, hard and brittle. From its characteristics, it cannot be a source of cardboard because
of its brittleness. Even though it was the harder in the two set-ups, it cannot be a source of
cardboard because it was too brittle.





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Conclusion

Paper is a versatile material with many uses. The most common is for writing and
printing upon, it is also widely used as a packaging material, in many cleaning products, in a
number of industrial and construction processes. In this experiment, the researchers used
malunggay stem fibers as component in paper making. The product they made was not like the
usual or ordinary paper. It turns out like a decorative paper because of its color and texture. The
greater amount of fiber will make the paper hard and rough. It depends on the amount of glue
and malunggay fibers we used. Although it is not perfectly white and smooth, it is still useful.
The hypothesis malunggay stem fibers can be used to produce cardboard was not proven.
Malunggay stem fibers cannot be a component for cardboard making but a possible component
for paper making.

Recommendation

For the future researchers, we recommend to them to keep researching for other uses of
malunggay or still develop the previous research. Malunggay has many uses and it is good that
people may discover its other uses. Moreover, this research paper can be an input in continuing
the study on what other plants can be utilized as a component in papermaking.



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References/Sources

Geanga, Elijah Daniel B. and Kevin Rey C. Rioveros, The Recycled Wood Bark of
Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) as Handmade Paper, 06 Oct 2011
<http://www.scribd.com/doc/24931144/Investigatory-Project>
Malunggay. 06 Oct. 2011 <www.malunggay.com>
Moringa Oleifera. 06 Oct. 2011 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera>
Paper Recycling. 06 Oct. 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_recycling>
Reilly, Melissa Jordan, Which Plants Can Be Used to Make Paper?, 09 Oct. 2011
<http://www.gardenguides.com/86180-plants-can-used-make-paper.html>
Rotz, Nina. Plants Used to Make Paper. 06 Oct. 2011
<http://www.ehow.com/facts_4968478_plants-used-paper.html>.