The Feasibility of Rice Hull as Cork Board Substitute

A Science Investigatory Project

Presented to
Baliwagan National High School

Researchers:
Maylan Caderao

Eunice Bullecer

Jennifer Timbal

Edilyn Cabingas

Shekenna Glory Mipranum

Ashley Villamor

Thyrenz Galero

Jhon Melvin Labis

Danlyn Adanza

Princess Rose Millan

Nancy S. Gallocanta
Project Adviser

July, 2023
i
 Abstract

A cork board is typically a big rectangular board made of cork. You use it

to pin important papers or other documents to it. This makes them easily

viewable to people in a particular room or another environment. Most people

don’t think about cork notice boards more than just for hanging papers on the

wall. Rice husks are the hard protective coverings of rice grains which are

separated from the grains during milling process. Cornstarch, sometimes referred

to as corn flour, is a carbohydrate extracted from the endosperm of corn. This

white powdery substance is used for many culinary, household, and industrial

purposes.

The main purpose of this study was to utilize Rice Hull in making cork

board. It also aimed to answer the following questions: Can Rice hull (rice husks)

be used as a raw material in making cork board? What mixture of Rice Hull and

Corn Starch will give the best set-up? Is there a significant difference between

the commercial one and the experimented one in terms of durability and

resiliency of the cork board? What is the adverse effect of the development of

this project to the environment?

The researcher also made used of the following materials: measuring

cup, kitchen tools, rice hull, and cornstarch.

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 The researcher also proven that the rice hull is a suitable raw material

in making cork board. The best set-up is composed of 50g rice hull and 50ml

cornstarch. The experimented one has no significant difference between the

commercial one in terms of durability and resiliency of the cork board. Also, the

development of this Science Investigatory Project will give a positive effect to the

environment.

Based at the information presented, discussed, analyzed and interpreted

via way of means of the researcher, it's miles observed out that rice hull from

plant Oryza sativa may used as a raw material in making cork board. The

combination of 50g of rice hull and 50ml of corn starch (binder) produced the

excellent product.

This Science Investigatory Project differs significantly of the commercial

one in terms of durability and resiliency of the cork board. This examine

influences the surroundings positively. It lessens the waste because of rice hull

and air pollutions resulting from burning it. It can also be utilized in enterprise and

offer additional income.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, the researchers would like to thank our Almighty God

for the strength, and guidance in accomplishing this science investigatory project.

Likewise for keeping the researchers safe in conducting the study.

The researchers are also highly grateful to Mrs. Nancy S. Gallocanta for

her guidance and constant supervision as well as providing necessary

information regarding the project. The researchers are also thankful to her for

giving them a lot of time in conducting this study. Her constant guidance and

willingness to share her knowledge are highly appreciated by the researchers.

In addition, the researchers would like also to express their gratitude

towards their parents and their respondents of this study for their kind

cooperation and encouragement which helped the researcher in completion of

this Science Investigatory Project.

To all of those with whom the researcher had pleasure to work during this

conducting of the research study. The researchers would especially like to thank

their relatives for letting the researcher borrow a laptop for a while. Your constant

support for the researcher are highly appreciated.

THANK YOU!

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page

ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………. …i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………ii

LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………...iii

LIST OF FIGURES…………………………………………………………iv

Chapter I

Introduction………………………………………………………………1

Statement of the Problem..…………………………………………….3

Significance of the Study…………………………………………….

Scope and Limitation…………………………………………………

Definition of Terms……………………………………………………

Chapter II

Related Literature and Studies……………………………………………

Methodology………………………………………………………………..

Research Design…………………………………………………………..

Data Analysis Procedure………………………………………………….

Chapter IV

v
 Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data……………………..

Results and Discussion

Chapter V

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………

Recommendation…………………………………………………………

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………

APPENDICES………………………………………………………………….

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 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study

Rice hull or also called as rice husk is the outer coating on a seed or grains

of rice. It has the formation of hard materials as well as silica, cellulose and lignin

for protection of the seed. Rice husks are commonly used as solid fuels, loose

form, briquettes and pellets. Rice, the grains from the plant Oryza sativa, roughly

one-half of the world population including all of East and Southeast Asia is fully

dependent upon rice as their staple food. It is grown on submerged land in the

coastal plains, tidal deltas and temperate regions. It is harvested and prepared

for milling which removes its hull and bran layers. The hulls or husks are

accounted as waste, but it can also be used as alternatives for wood in specific

products.

It is proven that a Rice hull (Rice husks) 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.

Cornstarch is made from corn and only contains carbohydrates (no

protein), so it is a gluten-free product. The endosperm is the bulk of the kernel

and is the main energy source for the seedling which can eventually grow to be a

new plant. Since cornstarch is made from the endosperm only, it contains no

protein, making it gluten-free.

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 The cork board is significant tool that can be seen and used at home, in

our offices and in school. It can be where you put important reminders, public

messages, announce events, for providing information and can be conveniently

placed where it is just easily seen. It helps in keeping organization and balance

and in addition, it is also used for decoration. It keeps people informed and has a

wide variety of purposes. It also serves as an inspiration and motivation and is

also efficient. 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

about the feasibility of rice hull with cornstarch as cork board substitute. This

Science Investigatory Project was conducted to lessen the waste coming from

the Rice Hull and utilizing in making a cork board.

General Objectives

The researchers aimed to investigate rice hulls as a raw material in making cork

board.

Specific Objectives

1. To produce rice hull as a raw material in making cork board.

2. To identify which set-up gives the best

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 3. To identify if there is a significant difference between the

experimented one and the commercial one in terms of durability and

resiliency of the cork board.

4. To examine the adverse effect of this project to the environment.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Considering the feasibility of rice hull as cork board substitute, the

researcher believes that the result of the study will be beneficial to the following:

The result of the study would provide the Department of Education

Officials the necessary data to use in providing quality service to the secondary

school students through the realization of K to 12 program and will be motivated

to continuously shape and improve the quality education in the country.

This study will help the School Administrators as their basis in providing

students with the guide on how to produce rice hull as cork board substitute. The

researchers find these materials very cheap and recyclable since they recover

from things that we completely thought a total waste, it is also easy to dispose

but we never thought that they could be very useful. From those waste products

(rice hull) the researcher tried and came up on an idea on how those can be

useful, not only in the environment, but also for every person who uses cork

board.

The researcher also found out that this study will benefit both the

consumer and producer. It can be put up in a business where in the cheaper cork

ix
board will be produced. This study converts waste to money which helps our

environment and at the same time, the people involved.

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Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study made used of Rice Hull (rice husk) and corn starch in cork board

making. In this Science Investigatory Project, the mixture of 50g Rice Hull and

50ml Corn starch gives the best. The setup of the experimental group differs in

the control group in terms of durability and resiliency of the cork board. Set-up 1,

the best set-up is cheaper than the commercial one. The researchers made 2

set-ups. Also, the researcher conducted an interview to various people to test

which is the most durable and resilient experimented cork board and to

determine the adverse effect of this project to our environment.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Carbon- a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is

nonmetallic and tetravalent—its atom making four electrons available to form
covalent chemical bonds.
Compost- a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts organic
materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through natural
decomposition.

Consumer- a person who consumes a product or service.

Cork board – a thin slab made of granules of cork.

Corn kernel - Corn kernels are the fruits of corn. Maize is a grain, and the

kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable or a source of starch.

Corn Starch – is a fine, powdery substance derived from the endosperm of the

corn kernel.

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Durability – is the ability of a physical product to remain functional, without

requiring excessive maintenance or repair, when faced with the challenges of

normal operation over its design lifetime.

Environment- a sum total of all the living and non-living elements and their

effects that influence human life.

Producer- a person who produces.

Product- any item or service you sell to serve a customer's need or want .

Raw Material - are materials that are in their natural state before they are

processed or used in manufacturing.

Resiliency - the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties;

toughness.

Rice Hull – are the coatings of seeds, or grains of rice.

Rice milling- the process of removing the husk and bran layer to produce white

rice.

Recyclable- can be used again after they have been treated using a special

industrial process:

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 CHAPTER II

This chapter presents the related literature and studies after the thorough
and in-depth search done by the researchers.

Review of Related Literature

According to echo community resources, Rice Hulls provide a dense

source of carbon which, when composted, can increase the water and nutrient

holding capacity of soil, improve of soil aggregation, porosity, infiltration, and

many other key beneficial soil physical characteristics. Rice husk is an organic

waste and is produced in large quantities. It is a major by-product of the rice

milling and agro-based biomass industry. Rice husk is a cellulose-based fiber

and contains approximately 20% silica in amorphous form (Hu et al., 2008;

Mansaray & Ghaly, 1998; Nair, Fraaij, Klaassen, & Kentgens,2008; Ndazi,

Karlsson, Tesha, & Nyahumwa, 2007). Rice hulls are a very poor-quality feed.

They are high in fiber (40.7%) and their use in horse diets might be as a

roughage substitute to add bulk to a completely pelleted diet. Rice hulls should

be used at a level no higher than 10% of the diet as a source of bulk in order not

to decrease the feeding value of the pellet. Some feel the sharp edges of the rice

hulls may irritate the mouth or digestive tract of the horse. No research

information is available on this matter. This problem may be eliminated by

grinding the rice hulls before using them in the pellet. Only high-quality rice hulls

as free as possible from mold, dust, and other material should be used for horse

feeding.

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 On the other hand, cornstarch is high in carbohydrates but lacking in

vitamins, protein, fiber, and minerals, making it one of the least nutritionally

dense components of corn. Cornstarch absorbs moisture, however, making it

useful as a thickener and anticaking agent in food products. It is used in certain

oral medications, where it facilitates the disintegration of capsules and tablets. It

may be used as a substitute for wheat flour in gluten-free foods and as a

substitute for baby powder. Other applications are, for example, in the

production of paper, acrylic paint products, and adhesives. (The Editors of

Encylopaedia Britannica)

According to ‘John Wiley & Sons’ (Author of Webster’s New World College

Dictionary), Cork board is cardboard made with granulated cork, used especially

for insulation. Cork has a remarkable combination of properties, which makes it

suitable for application in buildings and infrastructures. It is a naturally renewable

material made from the bark of the cork oak tree and is harvested periodically

from the living trees. According to ‘Luis Gil’ (published in Environmental,

Sustainability and Ecological Aspects of Cork Products for Building), ‘Cork

products for the construction industry have an important contribution and

remarkable advantages. The use of cork products is also ecologically essential

because it is a renewable and long-life product. The production and use of cork

play an important role, being a factor in the preservation and survival of some

species. Like any material, the use of Cork board also has its advantages and

disadvantages.

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xv
 CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the Subject of the Study, Research Design, and the
Procedure used in conducting the research of the feasibility of rice hull as cork
board substitute.

PROCEDURE
The researcher made used of these procedure:

First, the researchers gathered all the material including the kitchen tools

especially the cornstarch and the raw material. In preparing the raw material, the

researchers made use of the blender to grind the rice hull to become subtle. By

the help of the measuring cup, the researchers measured 50ml and 100ml of

cornstarch. Next, the researchers also measured the amount of the rice hull

which is 50g for the two set-ups. The researcher cooked the corn starch in a pan.

When it reached the paste texture, the researcher put the rice hull and mixed it

well. Then, because of having insufficient kitchen tools like rolling pin, the

researchers instead used a glass type bottle of a soft drink to mold the product.

The researcher simply puts the product on a clean wood, flattened it and gave it

a shape. After finishing to mold the product, the last thing to do 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.

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FIGURE 3
THE PROCESS

1. 2. 3.

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 4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

RESEARCH DESIGN

The researcher uses Experimental-Research design. The design of this

study is experimental design because the researcher wants to measure the

durability and resiliency of cork board made from Rice Hull. According to

Arikunto, Experimental study is a study which aimed to know there is or not the

xviii
effect of the variable studied. The experimental research design is a research

method used to investigate the interaction between independent and dependent

variables, which can be used to determine a cause-and-effect relationship.

Experimental research is commonly used within the framework of the scientific

method.

CHAPTER IV

Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

This chapter presents data analysis, different tables, and the interpretation
of data made by the researchers.

Table 1.1 : The description of products and its measurement

TREATMENTS AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF COLOR

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 RICE HULL (g) CORNSTARCH (ml)
SET-UP 1 50g of rice hull 50ml cornstarch Brown
SET-UP 2 50g of rice hull 100ml cornstarch Light Brown

Table 1.2 : Testing the durability of the cork board

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 AVERAGE
S-1 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 2.6
S-2 2 2 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 2.4

Rating Scale:

3-More Durable

2-Less Durable

Table 1.3 : Testing the resiliency of the cork board

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 AVERAGE
S-1 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2.8
S-2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 2.2
Rating Scale:

3 – More resilient

2 – Less resilient

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 Table 1.4 : The adverse effect of this product to the environment

NAME POSITIVE NEGATIVE REASON

MENELIO ANTO ✓ It can lessen the
amount of waste.
NIÑO CELSO ✓ It can help us reducing
BUSGANO the waste in our
environment.
HANZ KIONISALA ✓ Instead of throwing and
burning the rice hull, it
became useful.
JERSON ✓ The rice hull or rice
PAGHANAPAN grains became useful.
DARREN ORANDA ✓ The materials were
being recycled.
NICA JOY BAYRON ✓ The product is very
useful and affordable at
the same time.
ROXANNE TANGARA ✓ The experimented cork
board promotes eco-
friendly.
LAUDY MAE ✓ We can use the waste
VALCORZA material in producing a
good product.
MA. GRACE ✓ The discarded waste or
LINDONGAN agricultural waste
become useful.
JAMAICA MAE SOLDE ✓ The product is less
expensive unlike the
commercial one.

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Interpretation of Data

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

good choice for bulletin board. The Table 1.1 shows the two set-ups which is the

50g rice hull with 50ml cornstarch and 50g rice hull with 100ml cornstarch. It

shows that the rice hulls measurement was constant while the measurement of

cornstarch is from 50g and 100g. It also shows the color of the set-up 1 which is

brown and set-up 2 with a color of light brown. Moreover, the Table 1.2 shows the

durability of the cork board. The set-up 1 got the most highest average which is

2.6. Even though the first set-up wasn’t pale in color, it has the most durable

quality. While, the set-up 2 got an average of 2.4 . Furthermore, the average

resiliency for each treatments were shown in Table 1.3 where 50g rice hull with

50ml cornstarch (set-up 1) came out with an average result of 2.8 while the 50g

rice hull with 100ml cornstarch came out with an average result of 2.2. The 50g

rice hull with 50ml cornstarch (set-up 1) is more rigid than the set-up 2 due to the

same amount of its treatment as to its control. Other studies used polyethylene

resin as binder to determine the density of the product (Ajikashile, et al.),

however, our study used cornstarch instead to determine durability and resiliency

of the product. In addition, The Table 1.4 above indicates the solution within the

question; how will the improvement of cork board making crafted from rice hull

have an effect on the surroundings? five male and five female students have

been asked, and 10 out of 10 stated that the improvement of this product will

have an effect on the surroundings definitely in a manner that this product ought

to assist to remove a number of environmental troubles including waste and

xxii
pollution. This Science Investigatory Project (SIP) makes agricultural waste or

discarded waste beneficial and the product to be produce on this S.I.P is less

expensive than the commercial one.

Chapter V

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

This chapter presents the summary, conclusion and recommendation of the

researchers for the study entitled “The Feasibility of Rice Hull as Cork Board
Substitute.”

Summary

Based at the information presented, discussed, analyzed and

interpreted via way of means of the researcher, it's miles observed out that rice

xxiii
hull from plant Oryza sativa may used as a raw material in making cork board.

The combination of 50g of rice hull and 50ml of corn starch (binder) produced the

excellent product.

This SIP differs significantly of the commercial one in terms of durability

and resiliency of the cork board. This examine influences the surroundings

positively. It lessens the waste because of rice hull and air pollutions resulting

from burning it. It can also be utilized in enterprise and offer additional income.

Conclusion

The purpose of this experimental research study is to utilize rice hull if it is

feasible in making cork board. The researchers proven that: Rice hull can be

used as a raw material in making cork board. The best product was produced by

50 g of rice hull and 50 ml of corn starch. Experimental one differs significantly

from the commercial one in terms of durability and resiliency of the cork board.

The development of this project will have a positive effect to the environment and

could be a provider of an extra income.

RECOMMENDATION

It is extensively advocated through the researcher to check the modulus of

elasticity to understand if the product is ductile. Also, blend the rice hull properly
to achieve the finer quality.

xxiv
 The researcher additionally recommends engaging an extra set ups to

discover the nice of the best mixture that will produce the best product. And it will

be better to create an experimental cork board with an equal length as the

industrial one to distinguish the importance distinction among them better. It is

likewise endorsed to reveal how will this product influence and enables the

surroundings then behavior a survey and ask the others opinion concerning it.

xxv
 APPENDIX

60%

50%

40%
The dark green represents the
30% set-up 1 while the light green
represents the set-up 2.
20%

10%

0%
1 2

Figure 1: The Graph of the durability and resiliency of the product.

Figure 2: The data collected from the durability and resiliency of cork board

P – represents the respondents of this study

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 AVERAGE
S-1 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 2.6
S-2 2 2 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 2.4
Rating Scale:

3 – More durable 2 – Less durable

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 AVERAGE
S-1 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2.8
S-2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 2.2
Rating scale:

3 – more resilient 2 – less resilient

xxvi
 REFERENCES

https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-a-cork-board.htm

Schwartz, J. et.al. (2008). The Binding and Disintegrant Properties of the Corn
Starch

Shyamalee, D. et.al. (2015). Evaluation of different binding materials in forming

biomass briquettes with saw dust. International Journal of Scientific and
Research Publications

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Retrieved from

http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/step-by-step-production/postharvest/rice-
byproducts/rice-husk

Johnson A. et. al. (2009). Particleboards from Rice Husk: A Brief Introduction to
Renewable Materials of Construction. Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://
www.myiem.org.my/assets/download/Feature
Particleboard0609.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwitwYekYjnAhVF7GEKHWjFDRUQFjADeg
QIBhAB&authuser=1&usg=AOvVaw2QFZzhfKDP_uX6f8Vj9yzK

Corn Refiners Association. (2006). Corn Starch. Retrieved from

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology1/chapter/functional-groups-2

xxvii
 DOCUMENTATION

FIGURE 1: Gathering all the data from the students

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