Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V- Bicol
Division of Albay
Daraga National High School
Sagpon, Daraga, Albay

Amorseco [Chrysopogon Aciculatus]

as paper fiber

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements in Practical Research 2

Mercy O. Retuerma

Research Adviser

Proponent:

Lunas, Don Blaise Martin

Jessa F. Moriones
Saborrido, James
Crystel Danielle Mendioro
Keneth John Macinas
Girlie Faye Llovit
Demark Navarro
Karisha Faith Saberon
Jhon Loyd Pucio
Cyra Mirabel
Justine Mimay

11- STEM 1
Rationale

Paper is an indispensable part of our daily life; its worldwide demand was quite high

because of the fact that it is widely used in different fields of work. Paper is a versatile material,

beyond its use as a basic material for written and printed communication, paper in its various

forms is used for hundreds of other purposes such as packaging, decoration, cleaning, filter

paper, wallpaper, bookends, towels, wrapping, and insulation. Even in ancient times, paper was

widely used. The word “paper” comes from “papyrus,” it is a reed plant that used to grow in

abundance along the Nile River in Egypt. Many argue that paper was first invented in 105 A.D

by Ts’ai Lun. Ts’ai Lun, an official of the Chinese court, historians believe that he mixed

mulberry bark, hemp, and rags with water, crushed it into gruel, squeezed out the liquid, and then

mold it into thin mat in the bamboo strips and let it dry in the Sun, paper made from rags around

105 A.D still exists today.

In this study, the researchers aim to create a paper that can be used as a substitute for

marketed paper by using Amorseco fiber [Chrysopogon aciculatus] as the main component of a

possible paper outcome. The researchers have observed that Amorseco fiber [ Chrysopogon

aciculatus ] contains lignin, which is one of the most important materials needed to make paper.

From this observation, the researchers come up with an idea to use amorseko fiber

[ Chrysopogon aciculatus] to further experiments. Amorseco fiber [Chrysopogon aciculatus] is

an herbaceous species commonly found in the Philippines, more particularly in open locations at

low and medium altitudes. The lignin content of Amorseco fiber [Chrysopogon aciculatus] can

be used to make paper by carrying out series of experiments, and from this we can obtain a paper

that is a good substitute for commercially available paper.

 Amorseco [Chrysopogon aciculatus] is a bushy perennial with leaves, creeping and

branching from below, with short horizontal stems. Its common name was “love grass,” it came

from the seeds produced by inflorescence that adhere to objects, clothes, men and animals. In

some Asian countries they used Amorseco [Chrysopogon aciculatus] as an alternative medicine

for diarrhea, in Indonesia they use it as an antidote to poison, while in Bangladesh its root juice

was used to relieve pain in the liver. The studies have shown its properties which can be very

useful and helpful in the field of medicine.

Research Question

Main problem

Can a paper made from Amorseco Fiber be as good as papers that commonly contains

raw tree materials?

Sub-problem(s):

1. Does the paper made from Amorseco Grasses can be smoothly used and can be further

launched to ecommerce store?

2. Is the paper made from Amorseco fiber tear-proof for it to last?

3. How fast is the dry strength of Amorseco fiber paper?

4. How resistant amorseko fiber paper to bending force?

5. How does the texture and color of the paper from Amorseco fiber differs from the

commercially available papers?

6. Is the Amorseco fiber an effective alternative ingredient in making paper?

 7. How will Amorseco fiber affect the quality of the paper?

8. Is there a significant difference between the papers that are made from Amorseco grass
and commercially available papers in terms of:

a.) Clarity

b.) Opacity

c.) Transparency

Hypothesis

Null hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant difference between (Chrysopogon Aciculatus) Amorseco used

for paper fiber and the raw materials used in commercially available paper.

Alternative Hypothesis

Ha: There is a significant difference between (Chrysopogon Aciculatus) Amorseco used

for paper fiber and raw materials of commercially available paper.

Expected Outcome

The researcher expects to create a high quality and environmentally friendly bond paper

using Chrysopogon Aciculatus (Amorseco) fibers. A product that can be used for writing,

drawing, and printing things like letterhead and business documents or simply for educational

purposes and work purposes. Moreover, a product that has a smooth texture and bright color just

like the commercially available bond papers.

Engineering Goals

The researcher aims to make an organic paper fiber with the use of Amorseco as a raw

material. Reduce the usage of trees in making paper. We want to nearly if not completely match

the level of quality the general paper products can offer. We aim to achieve a paper that is

completely usable as well as durable and passed all the test given to our product. Moreover,

unleash the potential of Amorseco for more studies to be conducted in household and educational

products.

Methodology

Materials:

 Clean scrap paper  cups

 A pile of water  500 mL beaker

 Container  Bunsen burner/Alcohol lamp

 Blender  Liquid measuring cups

 damp cloth  Clamps

 8.5” x 11” flat picture frames with screen (molder)  Garden shears

 250 grams of Amorseko fibre  Strainer

 casserole  (2) 25“x 25” flat woods

Research Locale
 This study will be conducted at the Laboratory of Daraga National High School located

in Sagpon, Daraga Albay as the researcher utilized materials coming from the school laboratory.

Procedure

A. Preparation of Materials

The researcher will need the following materials: pieces of scrapped paper, a pile

of water, two (2) medium-sized containers (basin), a blender, five (5) damp cloths, two

(2) flat picture frames with screen, two (2) cups, one (1) big casserole one (1) 500mL

breaker, a Bunsen burner, one (1) liquid measuring cup, one (1) strainer, one (1) garden

shears, two (2) twenty-five inch (in) by twenty-five inch (in) (25” x 25”) flat woods and

four (4) table clamps. Two hundred fifty (250) grams (g) Amorseko fibre will be

harvested in Green Lava Trail located at Mi-isi, Daraga, Albay.

B. Fiber Extraction from Amorseko

The obtained two hundred fifty (250) grams (g) of Amorseko fibre will be

extracted by boiling two hundred (200) millilitres (mL) of water in a casserole. Soak the

fiber in fifty (50) mL of warm water to reduce the decomposing time. Two to four hours

(2-4 h) estimated time frame of boiling until the fibres finally decomposes. Rinse the

amorseko fiber thoroughly using a strainer. Then, fill the blender with five hundred (500)

millilitres (mL) of water. Add the boiled fibres and blend the mixture until the plant

fibres are evenly distributed in the water. Then set it aside.

C. Preparing the paper pulp

In a rectangular basin, the scrapped paper will be mixed in three (300) millilitres

(ml) water. This will be soaked until the paper soften. Together with 500 ml water, blend
 the soaked scrapped paper. When the scrapped paper and water is well- mixed, set it

aside and put it in a rectangular basin.

D. Combining Main Components

Mix the extracted amorseko fiber in the basin of paper pulp. Mix it very well until

it was evenly distributed. Using the eight and a half by eleven inches (in) flat picture

frame with a screen (8.5” x 11”) as the molder, strain it in the basin until the paper pulp

was evenly distributed. Strain it there is no water drops can be seen. Afterward, carefully

transfer it in a damp cloth to maintain its rectangular shape. After this, damp cloths with

paper pulp will be piled and the two (2) blocks of wood will be placed at the top and

bottom. Compress the paper pulp by using four (4) table clamps in each corner of the

wood to drain excess water. Lastly, remove the clamps and carefully peel-off the damp

cloths. Sun-dry the paper and wait until it fully dry.

E. Testing the product

Amorseko fiber in making a paper will be tested by comparing its durability to a coupon

bond. Its durability and flexibility will be tested by crumpling and bending it. It will also

be tested if it can be used smoothly in writing

Risk and Safety

In performing this activity, we should be guided by a person that have lot of experience

about chemicals so that we can perform it effectively. The researchers should become thoroughly

knowledgeable about the processes, equipment and materials used in the experiment. We should

evaluate the materials and chemicals to be used to determine what harm it may cause, and we

should also wear gloves, goggles, hairnet and laboratory gown to avoid skin and eye contact with
all chemicals. We should minimize all chemical exposures and label all samples and materials. It

is advisable to be careful while using the chemicals and materials.

After the experiment, determine the proper disposal methods prior to beginning an

experiment to ensure that discarded hazardous materials are not spilled or released, resulting in

an occupational exposure or a release into the environment.