SUITABILITY OF BANANA PSEUDO-STEM FIBER AS REPLACEMENT OF WOOD

PULP IN THE PRODUCTION OF PAPER

A Research Paper

Presented to:

The Faculty and Staff of Quirino General High School

Cabarroguis, Quirino, Philippines

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements In

Capstone Project

Presented by:

Gem Khyle D. Velasco Xeth Pastor

Brenda Sibayan Kristine Joy Senica

Xylene Tayaban Rochelle Yaranon

 Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Nowadays, the paper industry is experiencing a scarcity of fibrous raw materials for

paper manufacturing due to a number of factors. Due to shortage in raw material, the paper

industry is searching for substitute fibrous raw materials. Banana contains less lignin and

hemicelluloses than other wood and non-wood related raw materials making it the greatest

potential for use in the paper industry, especially in agricultural residue-based mills as it contains

very good percentage of cellulose. In 2019, the volume of bananas produced in the Philippines

was approximately 9.2 million metric tons. The Davao region accounted for 39 % of the

country's total banana production, followed by Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen with 19 %

and 12 %, respectively (Philippine Statistic base 2019). According to the most recent Philippine

survey, 25% of the country's net banana production, or around 2 million metric tons for 2019,

undergo food processing. The preliminary studies showed that after the processing, the waste

produced is around two-thirds of the fresh material in terms of weight.

Traditionally paper is made from wood which is dependent on forest resources. As a

result, huge areas of rainforest are destroyed each year to meet the supply of wood fiber. Paper is

produced composition of the material used (Bajpai, 2012). Paper can be prepared from

practically any type of fiber, ranging from old jeans to grass clippings (Hayes, ca.2000). Millions

of trees fell daily since the use of forest sourced fiber has increased considerably recently

(Muraleedharan and Perumal, 2010). The contentious debate over logging and opting for non-
tree fiber rest controversial. Developing countries are transitioning to non-wood fiber suppliers

and environmentally friendly pulping technology (Mahale and Goswami-Giri, 2015).

The kraft pulp process is preferred when making paper from banana stems. It is the oldest

and most well-known method of pulp preparation. The kraft method was first used in a Swedish

mill in 1885, after it was found in Germany in 1879. When paper was first made using the kraft

method, the resulting paper was much stronger than any previously produced paper. As a result

of this procedure, a dark brown pulp is collected. After that, a white pulp is collected via the

bleaching process, and this pulp produces a very strong paper. The banana stem is used to make

grease proof paper, thread, sheet, writing paper, and tissue paper, among other things. The raw

material for banana stems is less expensive than wood. In the current economic situation of

different regions, a small plant for the development of paper should be stabilized on this basis,

which would be very beneficial to society and the climate.

Banana pseudo-stems are easily available and cultivates in large scale at different regions

of Philippines. After harvesting, the farmer cuts down the banana trees and throws away a large

number of stems into the fields because banana trees aren't used much after the fruit is harvested.

Using the banana stem to make paper would benefit farmers because the banana stem has little

use after the fruit is harvested (Bandyopadhyay et al., 2013). However, using the banana stem to

make paper will help farmers earn money and will increase their interest in growing banana

crops. This paper will focus on the suitability of banana pseudo-stem fiber as an environmentally

sustainable raw material for producing paper with the potential to reduce the use of plastic

materials and how it differs from commercially produced wood pulp paper.
B. Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to produce paper with banana pseudo-stem as its main ingredient.

Specifically, this study aimed to answer the following question:

1. How can the experimental paper be described in terms of:

1.1 Odor?

1.2 Texture?

1.3 Color?

2. Is there a significant difference between experimental paper and commercial paper in

terms of:

2.1 Odor?

2.2 Texture?

2.3 Color?

3. How suitable banana pseudo-stem fiber as source of paper making?

C. Objectives of the Study

This study intends to know the suitability of banana pseudo-stem fiber as replacement of

wood pulp in producing paper:

1. identify the characteristics of banana pseudo-stem;

2. determine the difference and similarities of commercial and experimental paper; and

3. acquire information about the process of making the banana pseudo-stem fiber as

replacement of wood pulp.

D. Conceptual Framework

INPUTS PROCESS OUTPUT

E. Scope and Delimitation

The study will focus on the production of paper from banana pseudo-stem fiber and its

suitability. The study will be conducted in one banana farm at Calaocan, Cabarroguis, Quirino.

The researchers will observe the suitability of the experimental paper. The researchers will

present a final product and will be rated by ten respondents. This study is limited to describe the

experimental paper in terms of its odor, texture and color, but does not cover the evaluation of

the thickness and rate of decomposition of the paper that will be produced.
F. Significance of the Study

This study aimed to further determine the effectiveness of banana pseudo-stem as paper.

This study may be beneficial to the following:

1. Farmers – This study will help them earn money and will increase their interest in

growing banana crops.

2. Community – This study will help them gain more knowledge about the suitability of

banana pseudo-stem fiber as paper.

3. Government – This study will give them additional data. Thus, helping them to think

other fibrous materials as alternatives to wood pulp when producing paper.

4. Future researchers – This study will serve as their guide for them to enhance further

studies in conducting the same research.

G. Hypothesis

1. There is no significant difference between banana pseudo-stem fiber and wood pulp

commercial paper in terms of odor.

2. There is no significant difference between banana pseudo-stem fiber and wood pulp

commercial paper in terms of color.

3. There is no significant difference between banana pseudo-stem fiber and wood pulp

commercial paper in terms of texture.

F. Definition of Terms

The following terms were given for better understanding:

1. Banana pseudo-stem – part of the banana plant that looks like a trunk which consists

of a soft central core and tightly wrapped up to 25 leaf sheaths.

2. Hemicellulos – also known as polyose, is one of a number of heteropolymer such as

arabinoxylans which is present along with cellulose in almost all terrestrial plant cell

walls.

3. Lignin – a class of complex organic polymers that form structural materials in the

support tissues of most plants.

4. Physicochemical properties – the physical and solvation properties related to

interactions with different media.

 Chapter II
Related Research Literature and Studies

Introduction
The banana is a fast-growing plant consisting of one or more pseudo-stems (upright,

trunk-like structures) formed by tightly packed concentric layers of leaf sheaths, an underground

rhizome, and a fibrous root system. A mat is the name given to the whole plant. The practical

trunk is made up of the pseudo-stem, which supports the leaves as well as the flower and fruit

bearing stalk. Bananas are monocotyledonous herbaceous plants that mature quickly. There are

two species of banana, Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana, and most banana cultivars are hybrids

of these species. Plant and fruit size, plant morphology, fruit consistency, and disease and insect

resistance differ greatly among banana cultivars. When ripe, most bananas have a sweet taste,

with the exception of cooking bananas and plantains (Crane, J. et al., 2008).

Characteristics of Banana Fibers

The banana pseudo stem is found to be capable of being used as a raw material as it is

fast growing and yields high biomass (Brindha et al., 2012). From this viewpoint, the banana

stem which contains satisfactory cellulose content can be processed into paper (Hussain and

Tarar, 2014). Since there is large scale availability of banana resultant wastes and insufficiency

of raw materials for pulp production, it is a wise conception to implement cleaner production

techniques for banana paper making (Hussain and Tarar, 2014). This concept can also provide a

sustainable economy for farmers. The banana plant grows easily in hot climates and tropical

parts of the world (Preethi and Balakrishna, 2013). The main physiological functions of the

pseudo-stem are to provide support to the plant, transport water and minerals and store food as

reserves. Bananas come in two broad types: the table banana and the plantain (cooked) which
belong to the Musaceae family (Rieger, 2007). There are about 1000 varieties which are

produced in 135 countries across the tropics and subtropics and the most common is the

Cavendish banana (Chandran, 2016). In some part of the world the banana stem is consumed as

food, the flower to make curry or salad and the banana leaves to wrap food or for religious

purposes (Bikalemesa, 2014). Banana is the most important fruit crop in the Philippines. It ranks

first in production (>5.63 million metric tonnes) and area harvested (415 000 has) (BAS 2005)

among other fruit crops. Save for the export banana, which is a significant source of foreign

exchange, banana is grown largely by small-holder farmers, traded by local entrepreneurs and

consumed locally. Thus, it plays a major role in food security and income generation of the rural

poor (F.S Dela Cruz, 2008).

Fiber Utilization for Paper Manufacturing

Pulp and paper manufacturing is the earliest non-food industrial consumption of plant

biomass (Gonzalez et al., 2010). The worldwide consumption from paper-making was estimated

to increase from 316 million tons in 1999 and 351 million tons in 2005 to nearly 425 million tons

in 2010 (Mahale and Goswami-Giri, 2015). Presently, there is a remarkable growing interest for

non-woody fibers as replacement for woody fibers in the pulp mills (Gonzalez et al., 2010). The

exploitation of non-wood fiber will be prolonged if we stress on their strong points with

reference to their influence on the environment (Hara, ca.1998). This is exactly what this paper is

putting forward. The dwindling forest resources for fiber has enhanced prominence on non-wood

resources and agricultural residues (Li et al., 2010). In the last few years, the Paper Producing

Industry (PPI) has been experiencing virgin fiber shortages and this consequence have shifted

their attention towards non-wood fibers. Non-wood raw materials account for less than 10% in

the worldwide demand for pulp and paper production in the following ratios: 44% straw, 18%
bagasse, 14% reeds, 13% bamboo and 11% others (Mahale and Goswami-Giri, 2015).

Agricultural residues have uses which extend beyond paper making solely, such as to create

construction material, agricultural mulch and biofuel production (Hayes, 2000).

In the banana fields, the pseudo stems and other unused parts are felled and discarded

since the banana plant can only be harvested once and the stem often experience fungi attack

(Hussain and Tarar, 2014). Clearing the left-overs to plant new crops is a costly procedure for

planters (Baldwin, 2016). Usually, the banana plant residues are left on the field to degrade into

organic matter since the banana plant cannot provide with fruits more than once (Li et al., 2010).

The degradation of this large waste biomass contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission

(CO2) (Hussain and Tarar, 2014). Isolated plant residues often become a breeding place for

disease vectors (e.g., fruit flies and mosquitoes), which enhances pest proliferation (e.g., rats,

snails) and produces bad aesthetic. Banana plant is a fast-growing perennial plant which can be

studied for their suitability for pulp and paper manufacturing (Gonzalez et al., 2010). Almost any

part of the left-over from the processing of the banana plant is suitable for paper production.

Therefore, the useful utilization of this wasted biomass will influence the social, environmental,

geographic and technological aspects of the country in some way.

Synthesis

Bananas are monocotyledonous herbaceous plants that mature quickly. There are two

species of banana, Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. When ripe, most bananas have a sweet

taste, except for cooking bananas and plantains. Banana pseudo stem is found to be capable of

being used as a raw material as it is fast growing and yields high biomass. From this viewpoint,
the banana stem which contains satisfactory cellulose content can be processed into paper.

Bananas come in two broad types: the table banana and the plantain (cooked) which belong to

the Musaceae family. Banana is the most important fruit crop in the Philippines. Pulp and paper

manufacturing is the earliest non-food industrial consumption of plant biomass. The dwindling

forest resources for fiber has enhanced prominence on non-wood resources and agricultural

residues. Almost any part of the left-over from the processing of the banana plant is suitable for

paper production. Agricultural residues have uses which extend beyond paper making solely,

such as to create construction material, agricultural mulch and biofuel production. The useful

utilization of this wasted biomass will influence the social, environmental, geographic and

technological aspects of the country in some way. The degradation of this large waste biomass

contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission such as the carbon dioxide.

Conclusion

Banana stem is a cheapest and easily available raw material as a source of making paper

pulp for the production of various types of paper. Banana pseudo-stem is found to be capable of

being used as a raw material as it is fast growing and yields high biomass. Pulp and paper

manufacturing is the earliest non-food industrial consumption of plant biomass. The Paper

Producing Industry (PPI) has been experiencing virgin fiber shortages. Non-wood raw materials

account for less than 10% in the worldwide demand for pulp and paper production. The main

objective of this study was to establish the suitability of banana stem fiber as a potential source

of lignocellulosic fibers for paper making. People have been focusing on forest preservation and

developing a sensible approach to use agricultural and forest leftovers in recent years. This

tendency is driven by the rapid rise in demand for wood fiber-based products, which may lead to
illicit logging as licensed wood supplies become scarce. Furthermore, using cellulose fiber from

forest and agricultural leftovers has a number of benefits, including environmental friendliness,

recyclability, and a low cost or even free raw material. Bananas are widely produced and

abundant natural resources in tropical and subtropical countries in the world. The banana plants

are considered as one of the world's most useful plants. Bananas are native to the Malaysia-

Indonesian region of South-East Asia.

 Chapter III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presented the research design, different methods and procedures that were

involved used in the study. The materials that were needed to conduct the study were also

included.

A. Research Design

The type of research used in this study to ensure accuracy and efficiency of

Banana pseudo-stem fiber as paper was experimental and descriptive. The study

determined the effectiveness of the Banana pseudo-stem as a decorative paper. This study

also aimed to describe the experimental paper in terms of color, texture and odor. The

experimental design was used to test the feasibility of Banana pseudo-stem fiber in the

production of paper. The descriptive design was used to describe the color, texture and

odor of the paper made from Banana pseudo-stem fiber by 10 selected respondents. The

gathered data was compared statistically to determine whether there was a significant

difference between the commercial paper and the experimental paper.

B. Method of Research

The researchers prepared the paper made from Banana pseudo-stem fiber. The

researchers selected 10 respondents from Quirino General High School to determine the

effectiveness of the experimental paper (Banana pseudo-stem fiber). The type of

sampling design that was used was selected sampling.

C. Sensory Evaluation

The color, texture and odor of the paper made from Banana pseudo-stem fiber

were described by using sensory evaluation. These were assessed using incidental

sampling procedure. The researchers selected 10 respondents from Quirino General High

School depending on their availability at the time of the trials of the products. The

respondents were given a sample of the commercial paper and experimental paper

(Banana pseudo-stem fiber). They were also given a questionnaire to evaluate the color,

texture and odor.

D. Instruments

The instruments that were used in collecting data were the questionnaires. This

method for collecting data was used because they were the most direct way of gathering

results from the respondents. A questionnaire that consisted of a table of ratings in terms

of color, texture and odor was used for the comparison between the commercial paper

and experimental paper.

E. Materials and Equipments

A chopping board and a sharp knife were used for chopping the Banana pseudo-

stem that had been collected. The medium pot was used for the boiling of the chopped
 Banana pseudo-stem. A strainer was used to separate the pulp from the boiled water. In

measuring the amount of water and starch, a measuring cup was used. The blender with a

minimum 4 cup capacity served as the grinder of the boiled fiber. The grind fiber was

placed in a plastic container. In forming the experimental paper, mold and deckle were

used. To hold and separate the paper from the excess water, a large tray was used. A large

damp cloth was used to drain and a recycled paper was used to cure the experimental

paper.

F. Procedures

The following procedure was observed carefully by the researchers, which served

as their guidelines while making the experimental paper (Banana fiber).

I. Preparation of the raw material Banana pseudo-stem was used in this study. The

pulp was collected from the Farm. Three pseudo-stems were collected. The pulp

was ready to use in the recipe as soon as they were collected. The Banana pulp

was placed on the chopping board to be chopped.

II. Production of Paper The production of the experimental paper (Banana fiber)

comprises these following steps: Prepare all the materials needed. Prepare the

banana pseudo-stem by rough-cutting them into ½-inch bits. Deposit them into a

pot with 2 liters of boiling water. Allow it to soften for approximately 4 hours. Let

the pulp cool down then place it in the blender. Add 1⁄3 cup of water and ¼ cup of

starch per half kilo of pulp in the blender together. Replace the lid and process on

high until it all comes together in texture and consistency. After grinding, put the

mixture in a plastic container. Place the mold and deckle in the bottom of the large
 tray with the glass frame facing up and an enough water to slightly sink the mold

and deckle. Slowly pour the banana slurry inside the mold while concurrently

raising the double frame so all the excess water in the paper mixture drains

through. Make sure the banana pulp covers the entire surface area of the mold by

hand pressing it into place; this step will reduce the moisture content so it is easier

to release the homemade banana paper sheet from its frame. Cover the table with

the large damp cloth, place the mold or deckle on top so the deckle frame can be

immediately removed, followed by the mold itself. What will remain is a

somewhat solid sheet of recycled banana skin-paper pulp that must be cured

before use. Allow it to dry with a paper to cover and a rock above the paper to

flatten the mixture for approximately 24 hours or until all water has evaporated.

G. Statistical Treatment t- test Independent

Statistical Treatment t- test Independent will be employed in this study. T- test is

use to compare and to know the differences between the experimental and commercial

paper in terms of color, odor and texture. Assumptions for the Independent t- test: a.)

Independence: Observations within each sample must be independent (they do not

influence each other), b.) Normal Distribution: The scores in each population must be

normally distributed, c.) Homogeneity of Variance: The two populations must have equal

variances (the degree to which the distributions are spread out is approximately equal).

The formula for t- test Independent is:

t= ¯X1 ¯X2
( n 1−1 ) s 21+ ( n2−1 ) s 2 2 n 1+ n 2
√ n 1+ n 2−2 [ n1 n 2 ]
Where:

̅ X� is the mean for Group 1

̅ X� is the mean for Group 2

𝐧� is the number of people in Group 1

𝐧� is the number of people in Group 2

𝐬� � is the variance for Group 1

𝐬� � is the variance for Group 2