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Potential of Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat Grass (Cyperaceae) As An Alternative Source of Fiber For Paper Production
Potential of Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat Grass (Cyperaceae) As An Alternative Source of Fiber For Paper Production
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An Investigatory Project
Presented to the
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In Partial Fulfillment
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By
Monte, Hasmen R.
INTRODUCTION
Environmental problem is one of the biggest issues throughout the world and
there is no accurate solution to ease the problem. This is mainly due to human
interventions and urbanization. The industrialization has caused negative effects to the
environment. The main concern aroused is the continuous cutting of trees or what we
know as deforestation to be used for industrial processes which affects the balance of
nature.
The wood usage is increasingly notable. A total of 3.8 billion 𝑚3 under bark of
wood was removed from global forests in 2016, of which around one half (50%) was for
use as woodfuel and the remainder was industrial roundwood (for use by wood
sandwood, 415 million 𝑚3 wood-based panels and 409 tonnes of paper & paperboard.
This data shows wood consumptions which is becoming higher and higher every time.
The conflict arises as paper and paperboard plays an important role to the society.
According to figures for 2015, global paper consumption has reached 398 million tons per
year-which worked out to 12,620 kg per second in 2013. In 2015, global demand for paper
and cardboard increased by an average of 2.2%. Paper is used in different fields in the
community. In the office and school, packaging and even made as a substitute for plastic.
The impact of paper production to the society must be maintained but with reconsideration
of environmental problems. This concerns with the use of wood in paper production
woods were already used, non-wood materials can be considered in the process.
The non-wood plants such as grasses and other types can be examined for
fiber extraction used for paper production. Its analysis and composition may be
comparable to that of the wood. The substitution of non-wood plants to wood can lessen
wood consumption on paper industry and to the overall wood consumption. This starts on
the local-based non-wood plants in the Philippines specifically corn (Zea Mays) Stover
and Daat Grass (Cyperaceae) as substitute for wood fiber in paper production. This study
focuses on the effectiveness of the stated non-wood plants alteration to wood in paper
production.
industrialization and improvement of human education. This is the main reason why there
is also a continuous search for paper materials until today. Listed as possible sources are
vegetable fibers (wood, flax, cotton, and bagasses), mineral and nonmineral or synthetic
materials such as gypsum, asbestos, glass fibers, and synthetic fibers. The consumption
of paper, especially fine paper, continued to grow, increasing the demand for short fiber
pulp (Paavilainen 1996). In many countries wood is not available in sufficient quantities
to meet the rising demand for pulp and paper (Atchison 1987, Judt 1993).
Since the production needs fiber material in order to produce papers, other
materials containing fiber not mentioned in the listed source may be used in the process.
This includes the non-wood plants. Therefore, non-wood plant materials including, annual
plants and agriculture residues are potential substitute to replace the limited wood
resources in paper-based industries (Rodríquez et al. 2008 and Ververis et al. 2004).
In Egypt 3000 BC, pressed pith tissue of papyrus sedge (Cyperus papyrus L.) was
used as surfaces for writing dates and the earliest considered non-wood plants in paper
industry. Hence, the actual papermaking was discovered in AD 105 by Ts’ai Lun, where
fibers from hemp rags and mulberry (Morus alba L.) was found useful in papermaking. In
1827, the first commercial pulp mill began operations in the USA using straw (Atchison
and McGovern 1987). While Anselme Payen found a resistant fibrous material that is
present in most plant tissues. This was termed cellulose by the French Academy in 1839
(Hon 1994). In the 20th century, the main raw material for paper production is wood
The pulping method is used in paper production. All types of paper (Britannica,
1973) are made from pulp containing vegetable, mineral or manmade fibers that form a
matted or felted sheet on a screen when moisture is removed. Nearly all paper is made
cellulosic (vegetable) fibers (San Juan, 2011). In making paper pulp, plant fibers are not
the only substances needed. There are also additives that are blended together to
produce paper in desirable properties. These are resin, the sticky substance from plants,
alum for making the paper resistant to water, china clay which is responsible in achieving
smooth texture to paper while pigments and dyes are used for color and beautification. In
the final stages of papermaking an aqueous slurry of fiber components and additives is
deposited in a wire screen and water is removed by gravity, pressing, suction, and
evaporation (Biermann, 1993). A new fiber crop must fit the technical requirements for
processing into pulp of acceptable quality in high yield and must also be adoptable to
practical agricultural methods and economically produce high yield of usable dry matter
By the demand of paper throughout the world, many researchers have been
interested in finding new paper material. In northern Europe, focused on grasses and
other monocotyledons (Olsson 1993, Mela et al. 1994). In the study of grasses, canary
grass has been one of the most promising species for fine paper production in Finland
and Sweden (Berggren 1989, Paavilainen and Torgilsson 1994). Other grasses can also
be used in paper production such as tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schr.) (Janson et
al. 1996a, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) (Radiotis et al. 1996) and cereal straw
(Atchison 1998, Lonnberg et al. 1996). There was also in central Europe which is elephant
grass (Miscanthus sinensis Anderss.) and is also used in energy production (Walsh
1997).
In order to produce a desirable quality of paper, fiber material must fit the technical
adequate dry matter (DM) and fiber yield at economically attractive levels (Nieschlag et
al. 1960, Atchison 1987b). In addition, a sufficient supply of good quality raw material for
running the process throughout the year (Atchison 1987b). Non-wood plants show high
biomass production capacity than wood species and higher pulp yields. Therefore,
continuous searching for non-wood plants for papermaking lead a significant role in the
society.
Conceptual Framework
INPUT
- Corn Stover - Daat Grass
- Bamboo Ash - Alum
- Resin - Water
- Dyes
PROCESS
- Pulping -Molding - Drying
OUTPUT
- PAPER
Figure 1.
THE PROBLEM
Main Problem:
Are Zea Mays Stover and Cyperaceae with Bambusoideae ash effective substitute
Specific Problem:
1. Is Corn (Zea Mays) Stover effective for substituting wood in paper production?
4. What can be the best non-wood treatment for substituting wood in paper
production?
This investigatory project, testing the possibility of Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and
Daat Grass (Cyperaceae) as an alternative source of fiber for paper production and
assessing its effectiveness as a substitute for wood in the papermaking. This is also to
test the usefulness of bamboo ash for making paper with desirable quality. Furthermore,
1. Are fibers from Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat Grass (Cyperaceae) can be a
2. What can be the benefit in adding bamboo ash to the process of papermaking?
f. Combination of Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat Grass (Cyperceae) with
The main objective of this study is to test the effectiveness of corn (Zea Mays)
and Daat Grass (Cyperaceae) as an alternative source of fiber for paper production given
1. Test the effectiveness of Corn (Zea Mays) Stover for substituting wood in paper
production.
2. Test the effectiveness of Daat grass (Cyperaceae) for substituting wood in paper
production.
3. Test the effectiveness of the combination of Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat
5. Compare the effectiveness of the two non-wood plants for substituting wood in
paper production.
6. Know the treatment that can be the best substitute for wood.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This investigatory project tests the possibility of Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat
grass (Cyperaceae) as an alternative source of fiber for paper production and assessing
its effectiveness as a substitute for wood in the papermaking. This is also to test the
usefulness of bamboo (Bambusoideae) ash for making paper with desirable quality. Thus,
Community – The community can benefit from this study as it is notable that
most of the people uses paper in every task. From the students and teacher for
school uses, office workers for reports and files, small and big business
Entrepreneurs – This study can benefit them in such a way that they can make
their own made paper or packaging which is cheaper and with raw materials
available in scope.
benefit from this study because this can minimize wood consumption that can
Researchers – This can serve as basis for further study through the
Brainstorming
Identifying the Problem
Reviewing related literature
Clarification of Problem
OUTPUT/PRODUCT
Figure 2.
METHODOLOGY
Choosing and
Gathering Mixing Molding
Cutting Screening
and Refining Designing
Choosing and Gathering – The researchers will gather the raw materials and then
choose the ones which are suitable for the experiment. The two raw materials which are
the Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat Grass (Cyperaceae) will be examined to have the
best choice of quality. In the Corn (Zea Mays) Stover, the stem, leaves and corn cobs will
be separated to determine the component/s which is/are good for the study. While in the
Cutting – This includes the proper length of the raw materials to be prepared for boiling.
This also refers to the proper structure such as strips and box. In this experiment, the raw
materials will be cut as small strips, leaving the unnecessary parts of the grass.
Boiling – The raw materials will be boiled given different time limits to determine its
effects on making a good fiber for paper. The amount of water also will be controlled
depending on the amount of raw materials being boiled. This process is to soften the raw
Rinsing – This involves the cleaning and washing of the boiled raw materials to avoid
Screening and Refining – The raw materials that have been rinsed will then proceed to
the screening process to eliminate the excess water which is not needed for the
experiment. This also includes the refining of the screened raw materials to be ready for
mixing.
Mixing – In this process, the additives will be manipulated according to the desired
treatment and mix it to the refined raw materials. The additives include the alum, resin,
starch, water and the strengthening agent which is the bamboo ash.
Molding – This process is to make sure that the desired output will be seen. Through
molding, size, thickness and shape of the paper will be achievable and controlled.
Designing – This is the process where beautification happens by adding pigments and
Drying – This will be the last part or the finishing way to the formation of the paper. This
will determine the quality and the last process to assess the outcome of the experiment.
Corn Daat Boiling Bamboo Alum Risen Starch Water
The product will be tested through breaking strength test where one member of
the group will hold the paper on each side. A string will be attached through the middle of
the paper. To the other end of the string, weights were added one by one until the paper
broke. The weight in which the sheet broke will be the breaking strength. To determine
the amount of water they each absorb, the moisture retention test will be performed. There
will be a certain amount of water which will be poured on each pre-weighed sample. After
a certain amount of time, the excess water will be shaken off and the sheets were again
weighed. By this test, the quality of the paper will be determined. ANOVA test will be used
for statistical analysis followed be the t test to determine the treatment having the best
quality of paper.
substitute for wood in papermaking. This mainly focuses on two kinds of non-wood plants
namely the Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat (Cyperaceae) Grass. Furthermore, this will
also use another additive which is the bamboo ash as strengthening agent for the paper.
However, this study is only limited to determining fiber from the two non-wood plants and
pulp making process of paper. And thus, this only focuses on the assessment of the
Research Design
This Investigatory project tests the possibility of Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat
Grass (Cyperaceae) as an alternative source of fiber for paper production and assessing
its effectiveness as a substitute for wood in the papermaking which includes different
treatments to the raw materials. Therefore, this study uses a quantitative research design
as it emphasizes the objective measurements of the data in statistical, mathematical or
numerical way. The data needed for this study was collected through specific experiments
conducted by the researchers. The different treatments will be identified through the
dependent and independent variables which uses the experimental design.
VARIABLES
Independent variable/s – These variables are the raw materials which does
not change by the controlled variable which are the Corn (Zea Mays) Stover
and Daat Grass (Cyperaceae).
Dependent variable/s – These variables changed depending on the
controlled variables. In this experiment, the paper quality is the dependent
variable.
Controlled variable/s – These are the time and measurement.
The researchers determine the comparison of the strength of Daat (Cyperaceae)
grass and Corn (Zea Mays) Stover in paper production given different treatments. This
applied the factorial experiment where there will be two factors being controlled. Hence,
using factorial experiment can lead to so many samples, the researchers will be doing
producing fiber paper from Corn (Zea Mays) Stover and Daat grass (Cyperaceae) to
come with a paper to reduce the need to cut down more trees for paper production.
Definition of Terms
2. Fiber- It is extracted to Daat Grass (Cyperaceae) and Corn (Zea Mays) Stover
3. Corn (Zea Mays) Stover- are residue consisting stem, cobs and leaves.
6. Paper- The product made from the raw materials; Daat grass (Cyperaceae) and