The efficiency of Durian (Durio Zibenthinus) husk cellulose and Falcata (Falcataria

Falcata) fibers as an alternative eco-friendly and biodegradable commercial bioplastic.

PROPONENTS:

Jazmine Zoie N. Garcia

Patricia Imee P. Joven

Ysabel J. Pasok

FARADAY10

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Subject

RESEARCH IV

A Research Paper Presented to the Faculty

of AGUSAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Junior High School Department

Butuan City, Philippines

MARIE LOU S. PALER

The major causes of plastic production, waste production, and environmental harm

are the growing human population and the president's need for plastic and plastic goods. As

plastic is connected to this problem, more than 90% of the world's population breaths air

pollution. Burning over 40% of the plastic waste produced globally results in the discharge of

toxins into the atmosphere. The danger of respiratory and cardiovascular issues rises, and the

neurological system may also be harmed ("Plastic Is in the Air" 2023). In impoverished

Asian and African countries, where rubbish collection services are either ineffective or

nonexistent, plastic pollution is most noticeable. However, the industrialized world also has

issues with adequately collecting used plastics, particularly in nations with low recycling

rates (Parker, 2019).

Plastics have long been a component of our ecology and have been used by humans. It

is a favorite among many since it has so many applications. However, despite all these

benefits, plastics can also have a number of drawbacks that have had a negative impact on the

ecology. Since plastic generates garbage that winds up in landfills or our oceans, it has caused

immediate harm to our world. Due to the fact that plastics cannot decompose or break down,

this study helps minimize and reduce the usage of plastics that cannot be decomposed. This

study creates a biodegradable bioplastic that can break up within a few weeks or months.

Additionally, because this study is biodegradable, the ecology gains from it. Plastic

has an impact on marine life because they damage the water by aggregating other plastic

garbage to form a massive floating muck on the ocean's surface. Biodegradable plastics are

therefore advantageous to marine life because they are predicted to decompose within 6

months, leaving the oceans cleaner (Koonin, 2018).

to reduce the buildup of plastic trash, is a viable and efficient solution to this issue. Due to its

availability, renewability, biodegradability, and simplicity of chemical modification, cellulose

is an excellent component for biodegradable polymers and goods (Norrahim et al., 2021).

Due to its eco-friendly qualities, it is a sustainable textile material that has been gaining favor

in the fashion and environmental industries. Plant-based cellulose fibers provide a more

eco-friendly option to synthetic textiles and can be manufactured in a way that has less of an

adverse effect on the environment. When exposed to the sun's UV rays, enzymes, bacteria,

water, or wind abrasion, biodegradable polymers begin to break down or degrade. They are

made from renewable raw materials or all-natural plant or animal materials such as orange

peels, corn oil, switchgrass, soybeans, micro-organisms, or starch (“Biodegradable Plastics”

2021).

As to this day, The most common bio-based aliphatic polyesters are PLA,

polybutylene succinate (PBS) and PHAs. PLA is an aliphatic homopolymer and is the most

price-competitive synthetic bioplastic, with a production capacity of >250,000 tonnes per

year (2022). With a calculation before 2026, the share of bioplastics in the total global

production of plastics will pass the two percent mark for the first time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The major causes of plastic production, waste production, and environmental harm

are the growing human population and the president's need for plastic and plastic goods. As

plastic is connected to this problem, more than 90% of the world's population breaths air

pollution. Burning over 40% of the plastic waste produced globally results in the discharge of

toxins into the atmosphere. The danger of respiratory and cardiovascular issues rises, and the

neurological system may also be harmed ("Plastic Is in the Air" 2023).

In impoverished Asian and African countries, where rubbish collection services are either

ineffective or nonexistent, plastic pollution is most noticeable. However, the industrialized

world also has issues with adequately collecting used plastics, particularly in nations with low

recycling rates (Parker, 2019).

Utilizing polymers that are biodegradable and compostable, which have been shown

to reduce the buildup of plastic trash, is a viable and efficient solution to this issue. Due to its

availability, renewability, biodegradability, and simplicity of chemical modification, cellulose

is an excellent component for biodegradable polymers and goods (Norrahim et al., 2021).

Due to its eco-friendly qualities, it is a sustainable textile material that has been gaining favor

in the fashion and environmental industries. Plant-based cellulose fibers provide a more

eco-friendly option to synthetic textiles and can be manufactured in a way that has less of an

adverse effect on the environment. When exposed to the sun's UV rays, enzymes, bacteria,

water, or wind abrasion, biodegradable polymers begin to break down or degrade. They are

made from renewable raw materials or all-natural plant or animal materials such as orange
peels, corn oil, switchgrass, soybeans, micro-organisms, or starch (“Biodegradable Plastics”

2021).

As to this day, The most common bio-based aliphatic polyesters are PLA,

polybutylene succinate (PBS) and PHAs. PLA is an aliphatic homopolymer and is the most

price-competitive synthetic bioplastic, with a production capacity of >250,000 tonnes per

year (2022). With a calculation before 2026, the share of bioplastics in the total global

production of plastics will pass the two percent mark for the first time.

Research Objectives

The researchers aim to create an alternative eco- friendly commercial bioplastic made

out of Durian (Durio Zibethinus) Husk cellulose combined with Falcata (Falcataria falcata)

fibers. The research conducted aims to reduce scrap and plastic waste.

Statement of the problem

1. Can Falcata (Falcataria falcata) fibers and Durian Husk (Durio zibethinus) be an

effective component for recycled paper bags?

2. Can Cellulose derived from Falcata (Falcataria falcata) Fibers and Durian Husk

(Durio zibethinus) be an efficient strengthener to recycled paper bags in terms of

Tensile Strength?
Statement of Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis (Ho): There is no discernible difference in utilizing Durian Husk

and Falcata fibers as a potential component in the production of recycled paper bags

with cellulose strengthener .

Alternate Hypothesis (Ha):There is a significant difference that proves Durian Husk

and Falcata Fibers as an effective potential component in the production of recycled

paper bags with cellulose strengthener .

Theoretical Framework

According to (Lubis, 2018) Durian rinds have high content of cellulose (A

Conceptual Framework
Scope and Limitation

The experimentation proper will be conducted at (Insert place). This study limits its

boundaries’ production of recycled paper bags out of Falcata Fibers and Durian Husk

waste gathered from Butuan city. It will be tested on its Biodegradability, Water

Absorption and Tensile Strength.

Significance of the study

Plastics have long been a component of our ecology and have been used by humans. It

is a favorite among many since it has so many applications. However, despite all these

benefits, plastics can also have a number of drawbacks that have had a negative impact on the

ecology. Since plastic generates garbage that winds up in landfills or our oceans, it has caused

immediate harm to our world. Due to the fact that plastics cannot decompose or break down,

this study helps minimize and reduce the usage of plastics that cannot be decomposed. This

study creates a biodegradable bioplastic that can break up within a few weeks or months.

Additionally, because this study is biodegradable, the ecology gains from it. Plastic

has an impact on marine life because they damage the water by aggregating other plastic

garbage to form a massive floating muck on the ocean's surface. Biodegradable plastics are

therefore advantageous to marine life because they are predicted to decompose within 6

months, leaving the oceans cleaner (Koonin, 2018).

` Cellulose- Cellulose is a fiber found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods as part

of a plant's cell walls.

Textile Fibers- are natural or synthetic structures that can be spun into yarn and

woven, knitted, or bonded into fabric.

Durian (Durio zibethinus)- Durio zibethinus is the most common tree species in the

genus Durio that are known as durian and have edible fruit also known as durian.

Falcata (Falcataria falcata)- Falcataria is a genus of flowering plants in the family

Fabaceae.
 CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research methodology in attaining the research objectives.

This is composed of: (A) Location of the Study, (B) Research Procedure, (C) Evaluation and

(D) Statistical Analysis.

A. Location of Study

(Insert)

B. Research Procedure

The Durian Husks (Durio Zibethinus) waste will be collected from the local market at

Langihan Public Market, Butuan City, and the Falcata (Falcataria Falcata) Fibers

will be collected from (Insert). The Acetic Acid (CH3COOH), Sodium Hydroxide

(NaOH) and Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) will be gathered from the Chemistry

Laboratory of Agusan National High School - Junior High School campus. In sample

preparation, the durian husk will be divided into smaller sizes. Then it will be washed

using running water and immersed in the water For 24 hours to remove pollutants.

The sliced durian husk will then be dried for four hours at 120 °C in the oven. The

dried durian husk will be grinded into a powder and sieved through a 200 mesh

screen. Before the sample can undergo Alkaline treatment and bleaching, it must be

pre-treated in order to extract the maximum amount of cellulose. The durian husk

powder will be pre-treated with 90% acetic acid (CH3COOH) and 10% sulfuric acid

(H4SO4) for four hours at 100 °C. The sample will then be washed and filtered 4

times to remove contaminants. The samples will then be subjected to Alkaline

Hydroxide (NaOH) with a ratio of 1:10 then will be stirred for 2 hours until the

powder is immersed and set. The sample will be washed and filtered with distilled

water several times to remove the Alkaline. The samples will afterwards undergo the

bleaching procedure, which involves treating the samples for 4 hours at a temperature

of 100 °C with 200 ml of sodium hypochlorite in 1000 ml of distilled water. The

samples are then filtered and washed with distilled water to remove insoluble

particles, the samples are will then be rebleached with 400 ml concentrated sodium

hypochlorite at the same time and temperature, the insoluble residue will then be

collected through a filtration process and washed with distilled water. The extracted

cellulose should pass to a PH level of 7. The films will then be produced through a

method adapted from Wahyuni and Arifan (2018). The films will be produced through

casting a solution made from a mixture of chitosan, starch, Acetic Acid, glycerin, and

different concentrations of CNC, and will be mixed using a magnetic stirrer for 50

minutes at 300 rpm with a temperature of 170℃. The mixture will then be placed into

a 6x6 inch mold and dried in an oven for 4 hours at 50℃.

Biodegradability Test (Soil burial degradation test)

For the Biodegradability Test, Samples of the end product will be into square

samples (2 inches by 2 inches) and will be weighted to note down initial weight (W0). The

samples will be buried 5cm down into a plastic container with organic soil and stored in a

room under normal conditions. The samples will be monitored for 12 days with a 3 day

interval in which the samples will be removed from the to check on the process. After 12

days the samples are to be dried in an oven at 70℃ for 1 hour then weighed according to dry

weight (Wd). The equation for the Biodegradability weight is as follows:

𝑊0−𝑊𝑑
Biodegradation Weight (%) = 𝑊0
× 100 .

Water Absorption Test

For the Water Absorption Test the samples were cut into a circular shape with

a diameter of 2 inches and will be dried in an oven for 24 hours at 70℃ and will be weighed

to record the samples dry weight (Wt). The samples will then be soaked for 24 hours in a

_____ x ____ x ______ container and will be weighed every 1 hour for the first 6 hours of

the test. After 24 hours the samples are patted dry to remove any leftover water particles on

the sample’s surface and will be weighed according to wet weight (Wo). The equation to be

used to determine the percentage of the water absorbed by the sample is:

𝑊𝑡 − 𝑊𝑜
Wa(%) = 𝑊𝑜
× 100 .
 Tensile Strength

Tensile strength will test the elongation at break of the produced bioplastic

film. Tensile Strength testing will be performed at the EQUIPARCO, Ambago,

Butuan City, Philippines.

Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

FTIR measures the sample’s absorbed infrared light. The absorption is

measured at various wavelengths to determine the sample’s molecular composition

and structure.

D. Statistical Analysis

The statistical significance of the tensile strength, soil biodegradability, FTIR and

water absorption values will be verified using one-way variant analysis (ANOVA).