Research Plan I. Statement of The Problem

RESEARCH PLAN
I. Statement of the Problem
This study will aim to produce a biodegradable plastic from Saccharum spontaneum or
locally known as talahib. Specifically, it will aim to answer the following questions:
 Can talahib leaves be an effective main component of biodegradable plastics?
 Is there a significant difference in the tensile strength of the four treatments?
 Is there a significant difference in the biodegradability of the four treatments?
The following hypothesis will be tested:
 There is no significant difference in the tensile strength of the four treatments.
 There is no significant difference in the biodegradability of the four treatments.
II. Significance of the Study
The following will be benefited from the study:
Farmers. Farmers depend on clean and healthy soil and water. Non-biodegradable
plastics, due to the lack of discipline of people, are thrown anywhere including bodies of
water. Biodegradable plastic will help lessen garbage that may pollute land and bodies of
water, both of which the businesses of farmers depend on. Also, since biodegradable
plastic can be composted, it could be collected together with food scraps or yard waste
and diverted to compost heaps. The resulting compost can be used as garden or
agricultural fertilizer which farmers could use.

Plastic Manufacturers. If the demand for biodegradable plastic heightens, then the
plastic manufacturers may start producing them in order to keep up with the trends and
increase their sales. In this way they will already be benefitted.
Future Researchers. Future researchers may benefit from this study because they might
be able to use our study for their reference. They may also be able to make innovations
using our study.
III. Scope and Limitations
This study will utilize Talahib (Saccharum spontaneum) leaves in coming up with
biodegradable plastics. The research will cover only the technical study which includes the raw
materials, tools and equipment and production process of the Biodegradable plastic using
Talahib (Saccharum Spontaneum). The product of this study will be in the form of plastic films.
The replicates from each of the treatments will be subjected to the following tests only:
 Tensile Strength
 Biodegradability
IV. Methodology
A. Preparation of the Treatments
Talahib leaf sheaths will be collected from grasslands and will be sun-dried for twenty-
four (24) hours. After cutting them into very small pieces, they will be blended to achieve
fine texture. The blended leaves will then be boiled for thirty minutes until fine pulps
appear. The pulps will be transferred to an evaporating dish until dry pulps are obtained.
The pulps will then be combined with different chemicals such as polyvinyl alcohol,
sodium hydroxide in aqueous solution, glue, and glycerol. The mixture will then be
boiled until sticky substance is produced. The cooked mixture will be thinly spread onto
molders and will be sun dried to produce biodegradable plastics. Three samples of
plastics will be made with different amounts of Talahib pulp, as shown in the table
below:
Treatment Talahib pulp PVA (g) Glycerol Glue Distilled

(g) (ml) (ml) Water (ml)
1 10 10 5 5 100
2 20 10 5 5 100
3 30 10 5 5 100
4 Commercial biodegradable plastic
B. Tests Done
Each of the four plastics will be divided into ten plastic film replicates. Three
randomly selected replicates from each of the treatments will be subjected to tensile
strength test and three other replicates from each treatment will be subjected to
biodegradability test.
Tensile Strength. To test the tensile strength, a hole will be created in the middle of each
of the 2-inch by 2-inch replicates. A 300 – gram weight will be allowed to be suspended
on the replicates and the time it will take the replicates to endure the weight will be
recorded. The time will be stopped as soon as the replicates will have worn out.
Biodegradability. To test the biodegradability, three sets of replicates will be used. The
replicates will be initially weighed using an analytical balance. They will be buried under
plant pots for two days and will be unearthed after the specified time. The replicates will
then be weighed and change in weight will again be recorded. The change in weight will
be tested for significant difference.

Research Plan I. Statement of The Problem

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RESEARCH PLAN

I. Statement of the Problem

 Can talahib leaves be an effective main component of biodegradable plastics?

 Is there a significant difference in the tensile strength of the four treatments?

 Is there a significant difference in the biodegradability of the four treatments?

The following hypothesis will be tested:

 There is no significant difference in the tensile strength of the four treatments.

 There is no significant difference in the biodegradability of the four treatments.

II. Significance of the Study

The following will be benefited from the study:

agricultural fertilizer which farmers could use.

increase their sales. In this way they will already be benefitted.

using our study.

III. Scope and Limitations

A. Preparation of the Treatments

Treatment Talahib pulp PVA (g) Glycerol Glue Distilled

be tested for significant difference.

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