ALTERNATIVE PAPER FROM JACKFRUIT (Artocarpus heterophyllus) FIBERS

A Research Paper

Submitted to the Faculty of

Mother Goose Special School System Inc.

(Special Science High School)

Dagupan City

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Curriculum

Special Science

Submitted by:

IV-PASCAL

Submitted to:

MRS. SOCORRO O. RINGOR

S.Y. 2013-2014

APPROVAL SHEET
This thesis attached hereto, entitled Alternative Paper from Artocarpus

heterophyllus Fibers, prepared and submitted by …. in partial fulfilment of the

requirements for the curriculum Special Science is hereby accepted.

_____________________________
Mrs. Socorro O. Ringor
(Adviser)

_____________________________
Panelist

_____________________________
Panelist

_____________________________
Panelist

Accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the curriculum Special

Science.

Date: ________________________

_____________________________
Atty. Lemuel A. Astadan
(Principal)

ABSTRACT
 This study aims to help our country’s present economic crisis. It mainly

focuses on Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers which is from Langka leaves that is

found in the Philippines. This is use to have a cheaper paper and the trees won’t

be cut anymore just to have a paper.

In preparing the product, the researcher collected Langka leaves from

different places. It was then cut into small pieces and were pounded to separate

the fibers. It was then soaked with water overnight. The sodium hydroxide

solution will then be added to attain the maximum separation of fibers. The fibers

were then bleached using hydrogen peroxide to remove the color of the fiber and

to obtain a light yellow to white color. It is then washed several times with running

water to remove all the impurities left on the fiber. After washing, the fibers were

dried. Starch solution was prepared in a beaker and the dried fibers were added

to bind it together. Fibers were added with constant stirring and heating. The

thickened paper solution will spread as this as possible to have a smooth

texture. The screen with paper solution will dry under the sun and will be peeled

from the screen after a few days. The paper is now ready.

In this research, the researcher proved that Artocarpus heterophyllus

fibers is effective for alternative paper. The researcher found out that Artocarpus

heterophyllus fibers is cheaper than a commercialized paper.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 First of all, I would like to thank God for all the blessings He gave and for

guiding me through out this study. And I also like to thank, Mrs. Socorro O.

Ringor and Mr. Jun Solver Camara for helping me construct this study. To my

family, Alexander A. Borja, Carmencita S. Borja, Adrian S. Borja, Nerissa S. Borja

and specially to Divina S. Borja for being my inspiration, supporting me and

helping me with this study. I would still like to thank IV-Pascal and my best-est

friends of all – Patricia Demi T. Lim, Danielle S. Maala, Joressa Joyce J.

Manaois, Ana Muriel Paronable, Trixia J. Velasco, Althea T. Silang, Angelica C.

Reyes, and Nicole S. Ramos for not giving up in helping me finish this study.
Table of Contents

Title Page ...............................................................................................................i

Approval Sheet ......................................................................................................ii

Abstract ................................................................................................................iii

Acknowledgement ................................................................................................iv

Chapter I Introduction ...........................................................................1

Background of the Study ......................................................1

Statement of the Problem .....................................................2

Hypothesis ............................................................................3

Significance of the Study .....................................................3

Scope and Delimitation .........................................................3

Definition of Terms ...............................................................4

Conceptual Paradigm ...........................................................5

Chapter II Review of Related Literature ................................................6

Review of Related Studies .................................................11

Justification .........................................................................12

Chapter III Research Design ................................................................13

Materials and Equipments ..................................................13

Subjects ..............................................................................13
 Locale .................................................................................13

Procedure ...........................................................................14

Statistical Tool ....................................................................15

Chapter IV Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Results .........16

Chapter V Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation ...................18

Bibliography ........................................................................................................19

Appendices .........................................................................................................20

Curriculum Vitae .................................................................................................31

 Chapter I

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The word paper is derived from the name of the reedy plant papyrus, which

grows abundantly along the Nile River in Egypt. True paper is made of pulped

cellulose fibers like wood, cotton or flax. The pulp and paper industry is one of

the most important industries in the world. It supplies an essential product –

paper – to over 7 billion people worldwide.

Paper has always been a usual part of our daily lives that sometimes, we tend

to forget just how dependent we are on this fundamental, renewable and

developing resource.

Humans have always had the need to communicate their experiences and

ideas. In ancient times, people worked hard carving pictures and symbols into

the walls of caves, and on rock and bone. As human civilizations developed,

surfaces were found that were easier to write on, such as bees waxed boards,

palm leaves, bronze, silk, parchment made from animal skins, and clay tablets.

Long before humans thought of making paper, wasps were doing it. Paper wasps

build their nest by chewing tiny silvers of wood to make a paste that dries as

paper.

Fibers are the main component of paper. Any fibrous plant or tree (alternative

raw material) can be used to create paper. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus),

being a fibrous tree, makes it suitable for papermaking. With these, the
researcher was led to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the Jackfruit

(Artocarpus heterophyllus) leaves as alternative paper.

This study aims to fabricate paper from an alternative raw material, the leaves

of a Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus). The fibrousness of the leaves is the

primary requirement in making paper out of an alternative raw material.

The researcher aspires to create paper out of fibrous leaves with quality as

good as commercialized paper, which can be used for ordinary and special

purposes.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study will be conducted to produce alternative paper from Artocarpus

heterophyllus fibers due to the costly manufacture of paper in today’s time. It

attempts to answer the following problems:

1. Can the Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers to utilized in making alternative

paper?

2. Is there a significant difference between Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers

and banana fibers as alternative paper in terms of:

a) Cost

b) Acceptability
HYPOTHESIS

The following will consume answers on the formulated questions stated below:

1. The Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers cannot be utilized in making

alternative paper and no significant difference between cost and

acceptability between Artocarpus heterophyllus and commercial papers as

alternative paper.

2. The Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers can be utilized in making alternative

paper and has significant difference between cost and acceptability

between Artocarpus heterophyllus and commercial papers as alternative

paper.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research will be a significant contribution in promoting economical paper

made from Artocarpus heterophyllus that could be used in the paper industry to

cut costs of production due to expensive manufacture of paper from various raw

materials, such as waste and wood.

This study will also be useful to our fellow students for it will serve as a

reference for future use and as a basis for innovation. Essentially, this research

will be helpful in retail industry for it will promote Artocarpus heterophyllus not

only in our country but also all over the world.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

This research deals mainly with the effectiveness of Artocarpus heterophyllus

along with other materials, such as starch used as a binder, to make alternative

paper. The plant material from which the fibers will be collected will be from its

leaves. The study will also determine the strength and absorbency of the

resulting paper after several tests are conducted.

THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Artocarpus heterophyllus is grown in the Philippines and is important

commercially and economically in the region. It is known to have widespread

significance and health benefits, be it topically, orally, etc. Its leaves were known

to have anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic effects, and can be used for removal of

methylene blue from aqueous solutions. These leaves can also be pound into

fibers and make an alternative paper, since papers are known to be produced

from trees. According to green seal’s, “Choose green report”, “While wood is still

plentiful source for paper, paper demands are expected to rise.” He added, “The

committee was looking for a fiber crop that could be used for paper production.”

Since Artocarpus heterophyllus is abundant in the region, the researcher opt to

seek for alternative paper using the fibers from Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

The researcher has gathered some terms to guide readers with this study. The

following terms are:

Absorbency is the extent to which a paper will take up and hold a liquid.

Alternative raw material refers to any plant or tree with fibrous leaves.

Binder is the adhesive used to stick the layer of coating together and to the

paper.

Jackfruit tree is a very large and evergreen tree and is one of the largest edible

fruit of the world.

Papyrus is an ancient writing material made from the stem of the Papyrus

plant, a species of aquatic flowering plant belonging to the sedge family

Cyperacease.

Reed refers to any of various tall grasses with slender often prominently

jointed stems that grow especially in wet areas.

Starch is used in the formation of paper from Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers.

 Conceptual Paradigm

Artocarpus
INPUT heterophyllus leaves

Chapter II
Gathering and preparation of materials

and equipment
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Collection of fibers from the leaves of

PROCESS Artocarpus heterophyllus

We were all taught in school and especially environmental science classes
Production of paper from obtained fibers
that paper comes from trees. But, where does the paper comes from?
Assessment of the alternative paper
Pulp consist of cellulose fibers that usually come from pulp wood – which in
Comparison of results
turn comes from trees. The most common wood types used for pulp are aspen,
Analysis and interpretation of data
eucalyptus, birch, pine, and spurce. Different types of wood are used because
Conclusion
the properties of fibers vary. With the chemical method, which produces chemical

pulp, cellulose fibers are released from the other constituents in the tree trunk by

first being ground into chips and then digested using chemical additives.

Cellulose fibers is the most important ingredient in paper. Chemicals are

necessary primarily for paper to be made in the first place, but also to ensure that

the finished product has the desired properties, such as extra strength, better
OUTPUT Alternative paper from Artocarpus
water resistance and the right shade. heterophyllus fibers
Paper also contain some moisture in the form of water, commonly between 3.5

and 6.5 per cent. Paper is made from mix of types of trees. Some are hardwood,

some are softwood. In condition, some are tall, some old, some wide, some
young, some thin. Many of the “trees” used to make paper are just chips and

sawdust.

The Chinese consider jackfruit pulp and seeds tonic, cooling and nutritious,

and to be “useful in overcoming the influence of alcohol on the system.” The

seed starch is given to relieve biliousness and the roasted seeds are regarded as

aphrodisiac. The ash of jackfruit leaves, burned with corn and coconut shells, is

used alone or mixed with coconut oil to heal ulcers. The root is a remedy for skin

diseases and asthma. An extract of the root is taken in cases of fever and

diarrhea. The bark is made into poultices. Heated leaves are place on wounds.

The wood has a sedative property; its pith is said to produce abortion.

REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

Alternative Paper from Hemp Plant

Hemp paper is made from the fibers of the hemp plant. Hemp is the oldest

cultivated fiber plant in the world. One acre of hemp can produce as much usable

fiber as 4 acres of trees or two acres of cotton.

Trees cut down to make paper take 50 to 500 years to grow, while hemp

can be cultivated in as little as 100 days and can yield 4 times more paper over a

20 year period. Until 1883, from 75-90% of all paper in the world was made with

cannabis hemp fiber including that for books, Bibles, maps, paper money, stocks

and bonds, newspaper, etc.

 Hemp paper can be recycled 7 times, wood pulp 4 times. Rag paper

containing hemp fiber is the highest quality and longest lasting paper ever made.

It can be torn when wet, but returns to its full strength when dry. Barring extreme

conditions, rag paper remains stable for centuries Hemp particleboard and holds

nails better. Hemp is softer, warmer, more water absorbent, has three times the

tensile strength, and is many times more durable that cotton. Hemp production

uses fewer chemicals than cotton.

Many of the early documents printed on hemp paper hundreds, or even

one thousand years ago, are still in existence. One of the more notable

documents drafted in this Country in 1776 on hemp paper was The Declaration

of Independence. Hemp was legal to grow then-but those were revolutionary

times! Fabric made with hemp fiber was also used by Besty Ross to sew the

American flag. The industrial uses of hemp are indeed deeply rooted in American

soil.

JUSTIFICATION

With presented review of related literature and review of related studies,

the researcher presents the related justification which can justify the relationship

of Artocarpus heterophyllus and prove that it can be an alternative paper by

expounding on the curative values of Artocarpus heterophyllus in making the

paper.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://personal.psu.edu/afr3/blogs/S10W/2011/10/where-does-paper-really-

comes-from.html

http://conservatree.org/learn/EnviroIssues/Treestats.shtml

http://www.arcticpaper.com/en/services/Uncoated-guide/Paper/The-make-up-of-

paper/

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jackfruit_ars.html

http://digitalpoetry.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/alternative-paper-sources/

http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/GREEN/REPORTS/cgrtfree.pdf
 Chapter III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter covers the discussion of research process of the

investigation in terms of the research design used, data collection procedure,

data collection instruments, and reagents used in the production of alternative

paper.

I. RESEARCH DESIGN

The researcher conducted this study to prove the usefulness of

Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers as alternative paper. The experimental

method of research is used, especially the one group design. This is a

type of research design wherein one control group is used, referring to

the alternative paper from Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers.

II. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS:

 Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves

 Sodium Hydroxide Solution

  Hydrogen Peroxide

 Starch Solution

 Beaker

 Mortar and Pestle

 Stirring Rod

 Cloth

 Silk Screen

III. PROCEDURE

Collecting of Fibers

A certain amount of Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves is taken from the

plant. These were washed in order to prevent any contamination from other

substances. The leaves were cut into the smallest possible pieces and were

pounded using mortar and pestle for the purpose of separating the fibers. The

pounded material was then soaked in enough water overnight. After soaking

the material for one night, the mixture will be heated to further separate the

fibers and have the desired consistency. A certain amount of sodium

hydroxide solution will then be added to attain the maximum separation of

fibers.

Bleaching the Fibers

 The fibers were then bleached using hydrogen peroxide to remove the

color of the fiber and to obtain a light yellow to white color. It is then washed

several times with running water to remove all the impurities left on the fiber.

After washing, the fibers were dried.

Formation of Paper

Starch solution was prepared in a beaker and the dried fibers were added

to bind it together. Fibers were added with constant stirring and heating. The

thickened paper solution will spread as this as possible to have a smooth

texture. The screen with paper solution will dry under the sun and will be

peeled from the screen after a few days.

STATISTICAL TOOL

In this research paper, the researchers will make use of the Chi-Square

formula.
 Chapter IV

Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

This chapter covers the discussion of results obtained from the

procedures done in the preceding chapter. This chapter explains the outcome

of the test, concerning the effectiveness of Artocarpus heterphyllus fiber for

paper making and the difference between the Artocapus heterophyllus fibers

and commercialized paper.

Table I: Cost

Cost

Material Amount needed Total Cost

Artocarpus ½ kilo P0.00

heterophyllus leaves
Sodium Hydroxide 120ml P0.00

Solution
Hydrogen Peroxide 360ml P15.00

Starch solution 100 grams P20.00

 Products Cost

Alternative paper P35.00

Commercialized specialty paper P40.00

Analysis of Data:

Table show the cost of 2 papers: the alternative which is made from

Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers and commercialized specialty paper. It also

shows that the alternative paper cost cheaper than other commercialized

specialty paper.

Table II: Effectivity

Product % Acceptability
Alternative paper 60%
Commercialized specialty paper 40%

Analysis of Data:

The researcher have asked random people what will they use as a paper

in terms of acceptability and cost. In this Table it shows that people chose

alternative paper in terms of acceptability and cost than the commercialized

specialty paper.
 Chapter V

Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation

Summary

After doing the experiment, the researcher found out that the Artocarpus

heterophyllus fibers is effective as an alternative paper. The researcher also

found out that Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers is more cheaper than any of the

commercialized specialty paper in the market.

Conclusion

Based on the research done, the researcher has come up with the

conclusion that the Artocarpus heterophyllus is effective for alternative paper in

terms of cost and acceptability.

It is also concluded that there is no significant difference between

alternative paper and commercialized specialty paper in terms of cost.

It is also concluded that there is a significant difference between

alternative paper and commercialized specialty paper in terms of effectiveness.

Recommendation

This study was conducted through experimentation in order to produce a

good and affordable alternative paper from Artocarpus heterophyllus fibers.

 The researcher strongly recommends that a further study on how to

produce a fast and easy paper from these leaves.

Appendix A (Computations)

Table I: Cost

o e o-e (o-e)2

Alternative
paper 35 37.5 -2.5 6.25 0.17

Commercialized
specialty paper 40 37.5 2.5 6.25 0.17

x2 = 0.34
n=2
df = n-1
= 2-1
=1

Level of Significance
(0.05) 3.84 > 0.34 ; Accept H0

Conclusion:

There is no significant difference between Artocarpus heterophyllus and

commercialized specialty paper in terms of cost.

Table II: Effectiveness

o e o-e (o-e)2

Alternative
paper 60 50 10 100 2

Commercialized
specialty paper 40 50 -10 100 2

x2 = 4
n=2
df = n-1
= 2-1
=1

Level of Significance
(0.05) 3.84 < 4 ; Reject H0

Conclusion:

There is a significant difference between Artocarpus heterophyllus and

commercialized specialty paper in terms of effectiveness.

Appendix B (Documentation)

While pounding the leaves to separate the fibers.

Sodium Chloride is then added to attain the maximum separation of fibers.
After the fibers were separated, Hydrogen peroxide were added to remove the

color of the fiber and to obtain a light yellow to white color.

Starch solution were prepared and were mixed in water.

Starch solution is then heated. Fibers were added in the starch solution with

constant stirring and heating.

 The starch solution with fiber is then added in the screen. The thickened paper

solution will spread as this as possible to have a smooth texture. And it is then

dry under the sun after several days.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name:

Birthday: December 22, 1996

Age: 17 years old

Educational Background:

Preschool:
Mother Goose Special School System Inc.

Elementary:
Mother Goose Special School System Inc.

High School:
Mother Goose Special School System Inc. (Science High School)