UTILIZATION OF DRIED COCONUT (COCUS NUCIFERA) LEAVES IN

MAKING CORKBOARD

Science Investigatory Project of:

Jhie Anne M. Austria

Research Project Adviser:

Ms. Gregoria G. Reyes

Coconut Leaves is a part of coconut that is used for ceiling, but then as

it dries, it also weakens and soon become waste. Midribs of coconut leaves are

used to make “brooms” but the leaves itself has been thrown or burned.

Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) starch has many remarkable characteristics,

including high paste viscosity, high paste clarity and high freeze-thaw stability

which are advantageous to many industries.

The main purpose of this study was to utilize Dried Coconut Leaves

in making cork board. It also aimed to answer the following questions: Can Dried

Coconut Leaves be used as a raw material in making cork board? What mixture

of Dried Coconut Leaves and Cassava Starch will give the best set-up? Is there a

significant difference between the control group and the experimental group in

terms of: a.) Water absorption? b.) Density? c.) Cost? What is the adverse effect of

the development of this project to the environment?

The researcher made used of the following procedures: First is to gather all the

materials needed, next is the preparation of each, the first to prepare must be the binder.

Put the cassava extract on the container. Next is the raw material, cut it using the scissor.

Third to do is measuring, measure the volume of the cassava extract using the beaker and

the mass of dried coconut leaves using the weighing scale, after this prepare for cooking,

when ready, wait until the pan was heated then put the cassava extract. After 5 to 10
minutes mixed the dried coconut leaves, then wait until the materials mixed well. After

doing this make it flattened then the drying, and at last is conducting some test and

observation.

Based on the data presented, discussed, analyzed and interpreted by the

researcher, it is found out that dried coconut (cocos nucifera) leaves can be used as a raw

material in making cork boar., The mixture of 100 g dried coconut leaves and 100 ml of

cassava extract (binder) produced the best product.

This SIP differs significantly from the commercial one in terms of water

absorption, density and cost. This study affects the environment positively. It lessens the

waste caused by dried coconut leaves and air pollution caused by burning it. It can also

be used in business and provide an extra income.

INTRODUCTION

Coconut (Cocus Nucifera) is commonly known as tree of life, because all

of its parts are useful.

Coconut Leaves is a part of coconut that is used for ceiling, but then as

it dries, it also weakens and soon become waste. Midribs of coconut leaves are

used to make “brooms” but the leaves itself has been thrown or burned.

Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) starch has many remarkable characteristics,

including high paste viscosity, high paste clarity and high freeze-thaw stability

which are advantageous to many industries.

It is proven that a Dried Coconut Leaves is a waste product, but then the

researcher found out that it has a potential in cork board making which is usually

made by bark of trees specifically the cork oak tree that is limited to our

country.

Cork board is a framed section of cork backed with wood or plastic.

Typically, it is used as a bulletin board, because the resilient nature of cork

makes it ideal for sticking pins and tacks into. Commonly used in schools or

offices.

That information gives an idea to the researcher to conduct an experiment

in utilizing the dried coconut leaves with cassava starch as binder in cork board

making.
 A. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Coconut leaves is the least useful among the parts of coconut. Thatching,

hats, mats, baskets and ropes are made out of leaves. But when the coconut leaves

dries, it weakens and soon become useless.

Cork board is a construction and insulating sheet material made of

compressed and baked granules of cork. Cork is the product of cork oak tree,

found widespread in the Mediterranean and it is limited in our country.

Cork boards are very useful for schools, hospitals and other environments

where information needs to be posted for everyone to see. This project can also

be used in business where both the consumer and supplier will benefit. The

product that’ll be produce in this project is cheaper than the commercial one.

This Science Investigatory Project was conducted to lessen the waste from

Dried Coconut Leaves and utilized it in cork board making.

This study was guided by the following objectives.

Main Objective:

1. To lessen and give used the Dried Coconut Leaves which is considered as a

waste product by utilizing it in making cork board.

Sub Objectives:

2. To determine the mixture that will produce the best set-up in this research

project.

3. To determine the significant difference between the control and the best

experimental set-up in terms of: a.) water absorption , b.) density and c.) Cost.

4. To know how will it affect the environment for the future use.
 C. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The main purpose of this study was to utilize Dried Coconut Leaves in

making cork board.

It also aimed to answer the following questions:

Main Problem:

1. Can Dried Coconut Leaves be used as a raw material in making cork

board?

Sub Problems:

2. What mixture of Dried Coconut Leaves and Cassava Starch will give the

best set-up?

3. Is there a significant difference between the control group and the

experimental group in terms of:

a.) Water absorption?

b.) Density?

c.) Cost?

4. What is the adverse effect of the development of this project to the

environment?
 D. STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESES

This study was guided by the following hypotheses.

1. Dried Coconut Leaves is a suitable material in making cork board.

2. Set-up 2 with a mixture of 100g of Dried Coconut Leaves and 100 ml of

Cassava starch produce the best .

3. There is no significant difference between the control and the best experimental

set-up in terms of water absorption , density and cost.

4. This Science Investigatory Project will have a positive effect on the

environment.

E. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study was conducted to produce a cheaper cork board form Coconut

(Cocus Nucifera) Dried Leaves. It will help every person who uses cork board

especially the school persons to lessen their expenses for production. This will

also help to eradicate some of the environmental problems which are the wastes.

Then from those waste products the researcher tried and come up on an idea on

how those can be useful , not only in the environment , but also for every person

who uses cork board.

For the future use, this study will benefit both the consumer and producer.

It can be put up in a business where in the cheaper cork board will be produce.

This study converts waste to money which helps our environment and at the same

time, the persons involved in it.

This study made used of Dried Coconut Leaves and Cassava starch in

cork board making. In this project , the mixture of 100g Dried Coconut Leaves

and 100ml Cassava starch gives the best.

The best set-up of the experimental group differs in the control group in

terms of water absorption , density and cost . Set-up 2 , the best set-up is cheaper

than the commercial one.

The researcher made 3 set-ups . The water absorption was tested by

soaking it in water for 5 minutes while the density’s concern is the mass and

volume.

The researcher conducted an interview to various people to determine the

adverse effect of this project to the environment.

This study started on October 25 , 2013 and will end this December at

San Mariano National High School.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Cork board is a construction and insulating sheet material made of compressed

and baked granules of cork.

According to wisegeek, corkboard is a framed section of cork backed with wood

or plastic. Typically used as bulletin board, because the resilient nature of cork makes it

ideal for sticking pins and tacks into. These boards can come in a wide variety of sizes,

and they are very useful for schools, hospitals and other environments where information

needs to be posted for everyone to see. Cork is the product of cork oak tree, found

widespread in the Mediterranean.

Cork tends to be pale in color, and its light color and strength make it a good

choice for bulletin boards. Unlike woods, cork will spring back after being penetrated

with a pin. The structure of the cork will breakdown eventually, making it impossible to

stick more pins in. but a corkboard can be used many more times than a bulletin board

made from wood. Another used for a cork board is as a mobile document stand which

allows users to rearrange the document on the board as they talk about them.

Based on the Wikipedia the other uses of cork are as follows:

Bottle stoppers

Badminton shuttle cocks

Acoustic and thermal insulation in house walls, floors, ceilings and façade.

Bulletin boards

Floor and wall tiles

Fishing floats and buoys

Coconut, has a tall graceful trunks tapped by a crown light feathery leaves that are 15-17

feet long. The leaves are a yellow greenish color. Mats, baskets and hats are all made out

of the leaves, midrib and the coir.

According to ‘coconut board’ coconut (CocosNucifera) leave are plaited and

used for thatching houses and shed in rural areas. Plaited coconut leaves are also used for

making headgears and for erection of temporary fences. Plaiting of coconut leaves is a

cottage industry in traditional coconut growing states. Midribs of leaves are used to make

brooms of different types which are used for cleaning rough grounds and floors.

Cassava (ManihotEsculenta) based on Wikipedia is also called as manioc, yuca,

balinghoy, mogo, mandioca, kamotengkahoy and tapioca root.

Cassava is a major source of carbohydrates. It differs from the similarly spelled yucca, an

unrelated fruit-bearing shrub in the Asparagaceae family. Cassava when dried to a

powdery extract is called tapioca; its fermented flaky version is named garri.

Starch according to cassavabiz is produce from grain or root crops. It is

mainlyused as foods but is also readily converted chemically, physically and biologically

into many useful products to date, starch is used to produce such diverse products as

food, paper, textiles, adhesives, beverages, confectionary, pharmaceuticals, and building

materials.

Advantages of cassava starch:

High level of purity.

Excellent thickening characteristics.

A neutral (bland) taste.

A relatively cheap source of raw material containing

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Water absorption => the additional mass to the cork board after soaking it to

water.

Density => used to test the compactness and strength of the product.

Cost => the earmarked money used by the researcher.

Raw Material => main material (Dried Coconut Leaves).

Cassava => used as binder.

Cutting => used to turn dried coconut leaves into pieces.

METHODOLOGY

A. MATERIALS

In conducting this research project the researcher made used of the following

laboratory apparatuses, weighing scale and beaker; kitchen tools, knife, pan,

container, screen and scissor; and for the main material, dried coconut leaves, and

cassava starch as a binder.

B.PROCEDURE

The researcher made used of the ff. procedure:

1. Gathering and Preparing the Materials

The researcher gathered all the materials including laboratory and

kitchen tools especially the binder and the raw material.

In preparing the binder the researcher made used of knife to peel the

cassava and grinder and container to extract it.

Next is cutting the dried coconut leaves. The researcher have used scissor

to turn the dried coconut leaves into small pieces.

2. Measuring the Materials

By the used of laboratory apparatus, weighing scale and beaker. The

researcher measured 50g, 100g and 150g of dried coconut leaves and

100mL of cassava starch to conduct each set ups.

The researcher cooked the cassava extract in a pan. When it reached the

paste texture, the researcher put the dried coconut leaves and mixed it

well.

4. Molding and Drying the Products

Screen, bottle or rolling pin were used to mold the product. The

researcher simply puts the product on a screen, flattened it and gave it a

shape.

After molding is drying. This product is sun-dried. The product is placed

under the sun. Every time the product gets curved, flip the product to

turn its back.

5. Testing and Observing the Product

The quality, texture, color, water absorption and density were tested and

observed. The researcher drops the product at the height of 1 meter to

test and observe the quality of a product. Water absorption was tested by

soaking the product in water for 5 minutes, while the density was tested

by measuring the mass and getting the volume of the product. The

researcher follows the formula density is equal to mass over volume.

GATHERING

PREPARING

MEASURING

COOKING

MOLDING

DRYING

TESTING

OBSERVING
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND RESULTS AND

DISCUSSION

Table 1.1 Description of the products

SET-UPS QUALITY TEXTURE COLOR

1 Compacted Rough Light Brown

2 Most Compacted Smoothest among all set-ups Brown

3 Less Compacted Smoother than set-up 1 Brown

Cork tends to be pale in color, and its light color and strength make it a good choice for

bulletin board. Table 1.1 shows that set-up 1 is the best in terms of color while set-up got

the best quality and texture, and it is also the best set-up in terms of strength.
Table 1.2 Variables and Measurements

SET-UPS Dried Coconut Leaves(g) Cassava Starch (mL)

1 50 100

2 100 100

3 150 100

This table shows that all set-ups are made by a constant volume of cassava starch while

dried coconut leaves are measured as less than 50, equal to 100 and greater than 50.

Table 1.3 Values and Measurement in Finding the Density

SET- MASS (g) VOLUME DENSITY OBSERVATION

UPS (cm3) (g/cm3)

1 90 200 0.45 Corkboard floats in water.

2 100 125 0.8 Corkboard floats in water.

3 185 250 0.74 Corkboard floats in water.

Cork board floats in water because of its low density but having a high density defines a

better product because it is more compacted. In this project, density were used to test the

compactness of the product. All set ups floats in water and the table above also shows
that set up 2 got the highest density, meaning it is the most compacted among the set ups

followed by set up 3 then set up 1.

GRAPH 1.1

DENSITY
250

200

150

100

50

0
MASS VOLUME

SET UP 1 SET UP 2 SET UP 3

Table 1.4 Measurements in Finding the Water Absorption

SET UPS MASS TIME (minutes)

BEFORE SOAKING AFTER SOAKING

1 90 100 5

2 100 140 5

3 185 240 5
Table 1.4 shows that all set ups were soaked in water at constant time of 5 minutes. set up

1 absorbs less water followed by set up 2 then set up 3. The set up that absorbs less water

is the best product.

GRAPH 1.2

WATER ABSORPTION
300

250

200
SET UP 1
150
SET UP 2

100 SET UP 3

50

0
BEFORE SOAKING AFTER SOAKING RESULT
Table 1.5 Adverse Effect of the Product to the Environment

(Survey)

NAME POSITIVELY NEGATIVELY REASON/WAY

Angelu M. Lordan It lessens the dirt around

us.

Cherry D. Fereira Agricultural waste or

discarded material will be

useful.

Maricel R. Jalbay Instead of burning the

coconut leaves, it became

useful and it promotes

being eco-friendly.

Roda A. Famadico The coconut leaves

became useful.

Mary Kathreen D. It might be cheaper than

Anastacio the commercial one.

Raniel G. Canatuan We can use the waste

material for producing a

good product.

Kevin Ryan T. It is affordable than the

Maravilla commercial one.

Debie Jane C. It lessens the waste in our

Laroza environment and it is very

useful and at the same time

affordable.
 Maria Sylvia M. It is affordable and can

Galindez lessen waste in our

environment.

Mel Rose O. De It can help us reducing the

Guzman waste in our environment.

The table above shows the answer in the question; how will the development of cork

board making made from dried coconut leaves affect the environment? 3 teachers and 7

students were asked, and 10 out of 10 said that the development of this product will affect

the environment positively in a way that this product could help to eradicate some of

environmental problems such as waste and pollution. This Science Investigatory Project

(SIP) makes agricultural waste or discarded material useful and the product to be produce

in this S.I.P is cheaper and affordable than the commercial one.

Table 1.6 Comparisons of the Control and the Experimental Group

Water Absorption Density Cost

Control group P600.00

Experimental 40g 0.74 g/cm3 P15.00 (same size)

group
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Summary of Findings

Based on the data presented, discussed, analyzed and interpreted by the

researcher, it is found out that dried coconut (cocos nucifera) leaves can be used as a raw

material in making cork board. The mixture of 100 g dried coconut leaves and 100 ml of

cassava extract (binder) produced the best product.

This SIP differs significantly from the commercial one in terms of water

absorption, density and cost. This study affects the environment positively. It lessens the

waste caused by dried coconut leaves and air pollution caused by burning it. It can also

be used in business and provide an extra income.

B. Conclusion

The following are derived as conclusions in this Science Investigatory Project:

1. Dried coconut leaves can be used as a raw material in making cork

board.

2. The best product was produced by 100 g of dried coconut leaves and 100

ml of cassava extract (binder).

3. Experimental group differs significantly from the control group in terms

of water absorption, density and cost.

4. The development of this project will have a positive effect to the

environment and could be a provider of an extra income.

It is widely recommended by the researcher to test the modulus of elasticity to

know if the product is ductile. Also, cut the Dried Coconut Leaves into smaller pieces.

The researcher also recommends of conducting more set ups to find the best of

the best mixture that’ll produce the best product. And it’ll be better to create an

experimental cork board with the same size as the commercial one to differentiate the

significance difference between them better. It is also recommended to show how will

this product affect and helps the environment then conduct a survey and ask the others

opinion regarding it.

APPENDIXES

DENSITY WATER ABSORPTION

Density=mass/volume Water absorption=mass after soaking-

mass before soaking

Water absorption=140g-100g
Density=0.8g/cm3

Water absorption=40g

GETTING THE BEST SET UP

Best = 3 points

Better= 2 points

Good= 1point

TABLE 1.7 SET UP 1 SET UP 2 SET UP 3

QUALITY 2 3 1

TEXTURE 1 3 2

COLOR 3 2 2

DENSITY 1 3 2

WATER ABSORPTION 3 2 1

RESULT 10 13 8

The best set up is set up 2 having 13 points followed by set up 1 then set up 3.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Websites

http://www.thefreedictionary.com

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-cork-board.htm#didyouknowout

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cork(material)

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/coconut.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cassava

http://www.cassavabiz.org/postharvest/starch03.htm

http://coconutboard.nic.in/wood.htm

Book

The New Book of Knowledge ( C )