THE POSSIBILITY

OF PAPER OUT OF BANANA BARK

PROPONENTS: Bautro, James Oliver A. Limbo, John Gabriel B. Geron, Christine Ann M. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Research II

Batangas National High School Rizal Avenue, Batangas City

March, 2012 Mrs. Vilma O. Villena Research Adviser

ABSTRACT
This project entitled The Possibility of Paper out of Banana Bark examines the potential of banana bark to be an alternative paper. The purpose of this research is to identify an alternative paper out of banana bark. The researchers gathered banana bark and sliced them within half an inch and boiled it about an hour. When the bark turned brown, it is ready to be crushed in the blender.

The researchers made four tables and each table consist of three trials. The table 1 shows that the greater the amount of banana bark used, more banana paper produced; the table 2 shows that the greater the time of boiling the banana bark, the finer the banana paper is; the table 3 shows that the greater the amount of water used in boiling the banana bark takes long time to dry the banana paper and the table 4 shows that the longer the time of blending the boiled banana bark, the smoother the banana paper is.

The researchers proved that the banana bark can be an alternative paper and is affordable than the commercial branded.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The researchers conduct the study because they want to make a less expensive paper. The researchers thought a way on how they can use the bark of the banana plant in order to make an alternative paper. Banana paper is made from fibers that are left over from the processing of bananas. The long sinuous fibers are formed into a paper that is highly distinctive. This type of handmade paper refers to as eco paper as the paper uses fibers that go into the waste system. Banana paper is extremely textured and make an interesting addition to stamping and scrap booking projects. Banana paper is becoming increasingly popular and is available from specialist paper suppliers, stores specializing in environment friendly products.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The research study was conducted to examine the potential of banana bark as an alternative paper for the commercial branded one. General Objectives: 1. To make paper out of banana bark. Specific Objectives 1. To make different shapes of banana paper. 2. To make different colors of banana paper.

VARIABLES
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
1. Amount of banana bark used

DEPENDENT VARIABLE
1. Number of banana paper produced 2. The surface quality of the paper. 3. The time that the paper consumes to dry.

2. Time of boiling

3. Amount of water 4. Time of blending

4. The texture of the paper.

HYPOTHESIS
1. The amount of banana bark used can affect the number of banana paper produced.
2. The time of boiling the banana bark has an effect to the quality of banana paper. 3. The amount of water used in boiling the banana bark can affect the time to dry the banana paper produced. 4. The time of blending the boiled banana bark has an effect to the surface texture of the banana paper.

Gathering

Rinsing

Slicing

Crushing

Boiling

Materials
1. 2. 3.

4.
5.

Banana bark Casserole Blender Stove Knife

PROCEDURE
1.

Chop up the banana bark from the banana plant into several thin and fine pieces less than one inch long. 2. Place the banana bark in a large pot. 3. Fill the pot with enough water so that the bark float and then boil it in a pot on the stove. 4. Stir the bark constantly for about an hour. 5. Remove the pot from the stove and use the blender to whip the bark into fine slurry. 6. Take the pot full of bark and a silkscreen or fine mesh screen outdoors. Ladle the bark slurry onto the screen, spreading the slurry lightly and consistently the banana paper will be when dry.

RESULTS
Table 1 The amount of banana bark used to produced banana paper
Trials Amount of banana bark Amount of water Time of boiling Time of blending RESULTS

250 grams

1 liter

1 hour

5 minutes

1 banana paper produced

500 grams

1 liter

1 hour

5 minutes

2 banana paper produced

4 banana paper produced

1000 grams

1 liter

1 hour

5 minutes

The table shows that the greater the amount of banana bark used, more banana paper produced.

Table 2
Trials

The time of boiling the banana bark

Amount of banana bark Amount of water Time of boiling Time of blending RESULTS

250 grams

1 liter

30 minutes
30 minutes

5 minutes

FINE BANANA PAPER PRODUCED

FINER BANANA PAPER PRODUCED

250 grams

1 liter

5 minutes

250 grams

1 liter

30 minutes

5 minutes

FINEST BANANA PAPER PRODUCED

The table shows that the greater the time of boiling the banana bark, the finer the banana paper is.

Table 3
Trials

The amount of water used in boiling the banana bark

Amount of banana bark Amount of water Time of boiling Time of blending RESULTS

250 grams

1 liter

1 hour

5 minutes

1/2 day before the banana paper dry 1 day before the banana paper dry 1 1/2 day before the banana paper dry

250 grams

1.5 liters

1 hour

5 minutes

250 grams

2 liters

1 hour

5 minutes

The table shows that the greater the amount of water used in boiling the banana bark takes long time to dry the banana paper.

Table 4. The time of blending of the boiled banana bark.

Trials Amount of Banana Bark Amount of water Time of boiling Time of Blending Results

250 grams

1 Liter

1 hour

3 minutes

Smooth banana paper Smoother banana paper Smoothest banana paper

250 grams

1 Liter

1 hour

4 minutes

250 grams

1 Liter

1 hour

5 minutes

1.

2.

3.

4.

We found out that: The greater the amount of banana bark used, more banana paper produced. The greater the time of boiling the banana bark, the finer the banana paper is. The greater the amount of water used in boiling the banana bark takes long time to dry the banana paper. The greater the time of crushing the banana bark, the smoother it is.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Production of banana paper from banana bark yielded positive results. To further improve the study, the researchers also recommend the following: 1. Slice the banana bark into tinier pieces so that it easy to be crushed in the blender. 2. Rinse it directly under the sun or above the roof so that it will not consume much time to dry the paper.