CHAPTER I

Introduction

Background of the Study

In today’s generation, humans are beginning to create a solution to the

problem of toxic waste. Paper bags made of eco-friendly materials are being utilized

as replacements for plastic bags to help minimize the use of plastic bags. Plastic bags

can also be replaced with banana pseudostem fiber. Organic plant and animal fibers

have been widely studied over the last two decades, and they are gradually gaining

popularity over synthetic counterparts because of their biodegradability, renewability,

lightweight, and superior biochemical and strength properties. Banana fiber is of

particular interest because it is one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world,

with an annual production of 115.7 million tons in 2018 and cultivation in 130

countries, making banana waste readily available locally (Springer,2021).

The banana (Musa) pseudostem fiber makes up the majority of banana

waste biomass and produces high-quality fiber that might be used in sanitary pads,

textiles, pulp and paper, food, and reinforced composite materials for autos,

construction materials, aerospace, and other composite materials. The Philippine

Department of Science and Technology recently developed banana fiber masks that

can reduce the use of single-use plastic. This article discusses how to extract banana

pseudostem fiber for use in paper bags, as well as its quality, durability, and

applications.

Paper bags are a type of bag that does not cause damage to the environment,

and they are a good replacement for plastic bags. These bags are used to protect the

environment from pollution. The materials utilized to create these bags have no
negative environmental consequences. These materials can be used for a wide range

of purposes. Researchers used banana stem in this study because they discovered that

while banana fiber is a natural fiber with a wide range of applications in handicraft

product development, such as mats, ropes, and twines, only 10% of its pseudo-stem is

used for product development and the rest is used as fertilizer. (2015) (Vigneswaran

and colleagues). Paper bags are an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use

plastic bags. The main purpose of this study is to supply consumers with a new source

of paper bags made from Banana (Musa) pseudostem fiber while also reducing the

use of plastic bags in our community.

Conceptual Framework

Independent variable Dependent

variable

Banana (musa) pseudostem

Figure 1. Durable Paper Bag made from Banana Pseudo-Stem Fiber

The independent variable is the organic plant: Banana (Musa) Pseudo-stem

and its effectiveness as durable paper bag as the dependent variable. The output,

embraces the result of the researchers experiment which is production of musa fiber

paper bag.

Statement of the Problem

1. Is banana (musa) pseudostem fiber effective as paper bag in terms of

its result on the following test:

1.2 Tear Test

1.3 Water Absorption test

2. Is banana (musa) psuedostem and sodium hydroxide combine effective in

terms of;

1.1: Tearing test

1.2: Weight test

1.3: Water Absorption test

Significance of the Study

This study would be beneficial to the following:

Community This product helps to minimize the

pollution and can help the community to

manage waste disposal.

Government This study helps them to develop new

ideas on how to eradicate plastic bags by

utilizing banana stem fiber in making

paper bag

Consumers This product can provide affordable

paper bag for them in buying purchases

at the market.
 Banana Farmers This study will give them idea on how to

recycle banana stem fiber. This can also

create job opportunities.

Banana firm They benefit from this study because

they can improve their business by

making paper bag made from banana

stem fiber and not to throw it away.

Students The students can also benefit from this

study because this gives them idea on

producing paper bag out from banana

stem fiber

Future Researchers The analysis that is presented in this

study will provide significant

information to future researchers who

will investigate the effectiveness of

banana pseudostem as a paper bag.

Environmentalist Will helps adapts the use of trees to

create recyclable and biodegradable

products, pollution will be reduced

forests will be preserved. The world

would become a more secure and healthy

place to live.

Null Hypothesis
 1Ho: .Banana (musa) pseudostem is not effective as paper bag in terms of:

1Ho.1.1: Weight test

1Ho1.2.: Tearing Test

1Ho.1.3: Water Absorption Test

2Ho: Banana (musa) psuedostem and sodium hydroxide combine is not

effective in terms of:

2Ho2.1: Tearing Test

2Ho2.2: Weight

2Ho2.3: Water Absorption Test

Scope and limitation

This study focused only to the production of paper bag made from banana

pseudostem fiber. The study conducted at Tawagan Norte, Labangan Zamboanga del

Sur at around 8:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M of April 20,2022. Moreover, the banana tree

grown in Tawagan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Philippines was used in this study.

Only the selected part which the pseudostem fiber, used in making paper bag. Our

study does not intend to degrade the use of plastic bags or promote using paper bag.

The study only aims to determine the quality of banana pseudostem fiber paper bag.

Definition of terms

Banana Pseudostem The main trunk of a banana tree. In this

study, the false stem is used as fiber

material in the production of paper.

continues pressing compressed moist

fiber of cellulose pulp originated from

banana pseudostem and drying them into

sheets. In this study, a product made out

of banana pseudostem fiber plant.

Sodium Hydroxide An organic compound with the formula

NaOH. It is a white solid ionic

compound consisting of sodium cautions

Na+ and hydroxide anions OH. In this

study, it serves as an enhancer to make

the material into fiber and produce a

smooth surface paper.

Fiber Because of their high alpha-cellulose and

lignin concentration, banana fibers have

significant potential for papermaking.

These fibers are durable and have great

tensile strength. In this study, it is the

main ingredient or material to make