Caraga Administrative Region

Butuan City Division

Libertad Senior High School

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as Alternative Agent for Paper Bag

Production

Krystelle D. Ampo
Kim Christer G. Bollozos
Aubrey Miles B. Buque
John Lloyd O. Dela Peña
Lieca T. Eleccion
Dariel A. Endencia
Diana Jane F. Fabricante
Mae Ann P. Namalata
Caren B. Page
Researchers

Ms. Nikka Juls Go

Project Adviser

September 2019
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Table of Contents ii

Abstract iii

Chapter I. Introduction 1

Chapter II. Materials and Methods 4

Chapter III. Results and Discussion 5

Chapter IV. Conclusion and Recommendation 8

Acknowledgment 9

References 10
 ABSTRACT

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) populations have large negative impacts

on human society by clogging lakes, waterways and impeding navigation and

fishing, by providing breeding areas for mosquitoes and thus exacerbating vector-

borne diseases, and by reducing opportunities for recreation. In this study, the

researchers seeks to make a paper bag using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia

crassipes). Specifically, it aims to answer the question that follows: Is there a

significant difference between the three trials of paper bags made of Water Hyacinth

(Eichhornia crassipes)? Will Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) be useful as an

alternative source of paper? This sought to help the people to have an alternative

source of paper instead using trees as the primary source of raw materials for

producing papers, and lastly it would be helpful for the environment because this is

biodegradable which it will be decomposed easily. The Tensile strength result

showed that Trial 1 is much thicker than Trial 2 and 3 which has 39.2 and followed

by 28.9 and 25.3. According to Pratima Bajpai, Tensile Strength is measured on

paper strips 20 cm (7.9 in.) long by 15-25 mm (0.6-1.0 in.) wide using a constant rate

of elongation according to TAPPI standard T 494. The average tensile strength was

not achieved by the researchers. Hence, the method shall be modified in order to

reach the Tensile strength for a standard paper. Eichhornia crassipes can be an

alternative source for paper production. However, it is not that durable compared to

the standard papers, only if there is a filler added to the paper produced by Water

Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) to make it more durable.

 INTRODUCTION

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) populations have large negative impacts

on human society by clogging lakes, waterways and impeding navigation and fishing, by

providing breeding areas for mosquitoes and thus exacerbating vector-borne diseases,

and by reducing opportunities for recreation. It is considered one of the world's most

costly and damaging species (R.P. Keller, D.M. Lodge, 2009). Water Hyacinth

(Eichhornia crassipes) is a very aggressive invader and can form thick mats. If these

mats cover the entire surface of the pond, they can cause oxygen depletion and fish

kills. It should be controlled so they do not cover the entire pond. Water Hyacinth

(Eichhornia crassipes) is a weed ubiquitously found in lakes, rivers, and other water

bodies across the globe. With high rates of regeneration, survival, and growth, it is

generally difficult to clear water bodies infested with water hyacinth (Guna V. et. al,

2017).

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the most prominent aquatic

weed plant found throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Water

Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) are one of the most productive photosynthetic plants in

the world. It has been estimated that 10 plants could produce 600,000 more during an

8-month growing season and completely cover 0.4 ha of a natural freshwater surface

(J. Vymazal, 2019).

In this study, the researchers seeks to make a paper bag using Water Hyacinth

(Eichhornia crassipes).
Statement of the Problem

This research aims to create a paper bag using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia

crassipes), and that is suitable for mass consumption.

Specifically, it aims to answer the question that follows:

1. Is there a significant difference between the three trials of paper bags

made of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)?

2. Will Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) be useful as an alternative source

of paper?

Hypothesis

Ho₁: There is a significant difference between the three trials of paper

bags made of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

Ho₂: Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is useful as an alternative

source of paper.
Significance of the study

This study wants to produce a paper bag made from Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia

crassipes) and that is suitable for mass consumption. Since, Water Hyacinth

(Eichhornia crassipes) is invasive which spreads prolifically and invades territory of

aquatic animals.

People. This study seeks to help the people to have an alternative source of

paper instead using trees as the primary source of raw materials for producing

papers.

Manufacturers of paper industry. With this study, the manufacturers of paper

would surely benefit for it would help them to have another source for their

products by means of natural resources.

Environment. It would be helpful for the environment because this is

biodegradable which it will be decomposed easily.

Scope and Limitations

This study focuses on the utilization of papers produced by Eichhornia Crassipes

(Water Hyacinth) as another source for paper production.

This limits on the stem of Eichhornia Crassipes (Water Hyacinth) which contains

cellulose fibers that is required for the paper making process.

 MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Paper Making Process

The stems were cut into one inch long pieces, and were boiled in a pot for 30

minutes. Stems were beaten for the fibers to be separated and converted into pulp. The

pulp were then placed in a silkscreen and dried it under the heat of the sun. Check to

see if the paper is mostly dry to the touch. It may took approximately 8 to 12 hours to

get to this point. The paper were peeled from the screen and hanged it on a line with

clothespins to dry completely.

B. Data Gathering

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) samples were collected near at Provincial

Hospital, Agusan del norte, Butuan City.

C. Durability Test

The samples of paper made by Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) were

brought to Equi-Parco for Durability Test. The 3 samples were placed in a machine for

the specimen to split apart and the tensile strength were then recorded in the testing

machine.
Table 1. Different experimental set-ups

TRIALS DESCRIPTION

Water Hyacinth – 500 grams of chopped Water Hyacinth

TRIAL 1 (Eichhornia crassipes); 500 ml of water

Water Hyacinth – 800 grams of chopped Water Hyacinth

TRIAL 2 (Eichhornia crassipes); 500 ml of water

Water Hyacinth – 650 grams of chopped Water Hyacinth

TRIAL 3 (Eichhornia crassipes); 500 ml of water
 REFERENCES

Eichhornia Crassipes, Water Hyacinth. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, 2018.Retrieved

on August 17, 2019 from https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-

identification/alphabetical-index/water-hyacinth/

J.Vymazal, Consturcted Wetlands, Encyclopedia of Ecology, 2008. Retrieved on August

17, 2019. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-

sciences/water-hyacinth

R.P. Keller, D.M. Lodge, Invasive Species Encylopedia of Inland Waters, 2009.

Retrieved on August 17, 2019 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-

and-planetary-sciences/water-hyacinth

Vijaykumar Guna, Manikandan Ilangovan, M.G. Anantha Prasad and Narendra Reddy,

Water Hyacinth: A Unique Source for sustainable Materials and Products.

American Chemical Society, May 11, 2017. Retrieved on August 17, 2019 from

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b00051

Caroline Baldwin, How to make Banana Paper, August 31, 2017. Retrieved on

September 3, 2019 from

https://www.ehow.com/how_6464815_make-banana-paper.html
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Durability Test Results

Figure 1. Tensile Strength Report

This is a Tensile Strength Report of Trial 1 with a result of 39.2 stress curve.
 Figure 2. Tensile Strength Report

Figure 2 indicates the Tensile Strength Report of Trial two that has 25.3 stress curve.

Figure 3. Tensile Strength Report

Figure 3 shows the Tensile Strength Report of Trial 3 which has a stress curve result of

28.9.
 Test I Test II Test III

I. TENSILE STRENGTH:

Average Thickness, mm 1.69 2.79 2.34

Average Width, mm 246.19 232.8 241.99

Nominal Area, mm ² 416.0611 649.4562 566.2566

Load of Sudden Halt, kn - - -

Yield Point, Kg/ mm ² (Mpa) - - -

Maximum Tensile Load, kn 16.31 16.41 16.34

Tensile Strength, kg/ mm ² (Mpa) 39.2 25.3 28.9

II. ELONGATION:

Initial Length, mm 297.3 281.2 268.2

Final Length, mm 298.3 286.8 269.0

Elongation, % 0.3 2.0 0.3

Phosphorus - - -

In average thickness, Trial 2 is thicker Than Trial 1 and 3 which has a thickness

of 2.79, followed by Trial 3 with 2.34, then Trial 1 with 1.69. In average width, Trial 1

with a width of 246.19 ranked as 1, followed by Trial 3 with a width of 241.99, then Trial

2 with a width of 232.78. In nominal area mm, Trial 2 ranked as 1 with an area mm of

649.4562, followed by Trial 3 with an area mm of 566.256, then Trial 2 ranked as 3 rd

with an area mm of 416.061. In Maximum Tensile load, ranked as 1 st is the trial 2 with a

length of 16.41, followed by Trial 3 with a length of 16.34, then Trial 1 when a length of

16.31 ranked as 3rd. In Initial Length, ranked as 1st is the Trial 1 with a length of 297.3,
followed by Trial 2, with a length of 281.2, then ranked as 3 rd is the Trial 3 with a length

of 268.2. In Final length, ranked as 1st, is the Trial ` with a length of 298.2, followed by

Trial 2 with a length of 268.8, then Trial 3 with a length of 269.0 ranked as 3 rd. The

Tensile strength result showed that Trial 1 is much thicker than Trial 2 and 3 which has

39.2 and followed by 28.9 and 25.3.

According to Pratima Bajpai, Tensile Strength is measured on paper strips 20 cm

(7.9 in.) long by 15-25 mm (0.6-1.0 in.) wide using a constant rate of elongation

according to TAPPI standard T 494. The average tensile strength was not achieved by

the researchers. Hence, the method shall be modified in order to reach the Tensile

strength for a standard paper.

 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Eichhornia crassipes can be an alternative source for paper production.

However, it is not that durable compared to the standard papers, only if there is a

filler added to the paper produced by Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) to

make it more durable.

In this study, the researchers highly recommend the following:

1. Add Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and Waste paper as an additive

compound in producing Paper bag.

2. The paper bag made of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) will be referred

out for a laboratory test for the anti-microbial ability.

3. And lastly, the researchers greatly recommend utilize Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia

crassipes) into a new study that is useful in our environment.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Durability – Ability to undergo permanent deformation without cracking or fracturing.

Ability to exist for long without significant deterioration by resisting

the effects of heavy use, drying, wetting, heating, freezing, thawing,

corrosion, oxidation, volatilization.

Tensile Strength - Indicative of the strength derived from factors such as fiber `

strength, fiber length, and bonding.

Mass consumption – To use up a variable that leads to waste and reduction of

valuable resources.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The researchers wish to extend their sincerest appreciation to the

following people who helped in making this research.

To our science teacher, Ms. Nikka Juls Go, who shared us her knowledge

and for giving us her insightful comments and suggestions for the progress of this

research.

To the staffs of Equi-Parco, who helped us during the durability test. To

our family for their love and support financially, morally and emotionally.

And most of all, to our Almighty God who guided us in doing rightful

choices and for giving the knowledge and wisdom. Thank You!
 REVIEWS OF RELATED LITERATURE

The review of this study focuses on the background of Water Hyacinth and its
effectiveness. This literature gives the researchers a prior knowledge to their study.

In one research entitled Quality papers from Eichhornia crassipes (Water

hyacinth) fibers with its suitable properties for paper bag industry. This study tries to find
ways to help lessening the amount of this plant in terms of making a product out of it
aside from the products which has been a major success to different researchers and
making one out of it is certainly great and that is focusing in the qualities of the paper
produced from this plant. The papers produced using the pure Eichhornia crassipes
(Water hyacinth) fibers has high water resistance ability and can only be fully
disintegrated after a long period of time, and it is also durable enough to stand to certain
amount of weight. (Ferreras, J. et.al, 2012).

Water hyacinth is one of the most noxious weeds in tropical and subtropical
regions, and many attempts have been made to eliminate or control it. Harnessing its
considerable productivity is considered as a sustainable and possibly less expensive
method of control. Water hyacinth can be used as a vegetable, fodder, green manure,
compost and mulch for soil improvement. Much research has been devoted to its use as
a feed material for many classes of livestock. Water hyacinth is used for making textiles,
paper and for camouflaging fish traps (Ecoport, 2011; Pieterse, 1997). It ferments
rapidly due to its high water content and can supply biomass for biogas production.
Water hyacinth is used as a water-clearing agent, as a substrate for mushroom
production and as an ornamental species (Pieterse, 1997)

On the other research this has a tendency to increase the cost of the hyacinth
system, and also develops the problem of disposing the excess material. The degree of
vegetation management required depends on the water quality goals of the project and
a choice between harvesting plants or frequent sludge removal. Since the hyacinth
plants are about 95% water, an intermediate drying step is usually employed prior to
disposal or utilization of the harvested material at the smaller systems. The dried plants
can be disposed off in a landfill, or elsewhere, as permitted by the local regulatory
authorities. If the wastewater has very high metal concentrations it may be advisable to
check the metal content of the dried plant to ensure that the levels do not exceed
permit.