Manila Central University Caloocan City

The Feasibility of Making Paper Out of Corn Husk

Submitted by: Berboso, Janica McKaye Aquino, Jerica Bernardo, Gladys Cabatu, Charmaine Manalo, Jesse MT 1-4

Submitted to: Mrs. Joy Mendiola Chemistry Teacher

Abstract

Paper is one of the most fundamental things that are widely used by many people across the globe. It is important because we humans use this in our day-to-day lives. It is true that paper came and is produced from trees. Trees have fibers which is an important component of paper. Fibers can help make the paper strong and durable at the same time. But as time goes by, we humans have been wasting too much paper that leads to deforestation. Through this experiment, we we're able to find alternative ways on how to make a paper using different raw materials. This experiment doesn't aim to replace paper but to find a solution to the worsening problems of our natural resources. Paper made out of corn husk is an environment friendly product. It is an easy experiment and can be easily done by children and adults. Here, we need to get the pulp from the corn husk through the use of the blender and place some cornstarch to help the pulp stick together. After blending, place it in a molder for it to take shape. This paper would take two (2) days to dry up. After drying up, the paper will look thick, hard and greasy. It is vulnerable and can be torn easily. Through this paper cannot replace the real paper, it is shown that there are still other raw materials that can be made into paper and can be a source of paper in the future. Through little acts, we could save our environment from its depletion.

Chapter I Introduction
Background of the Study

Every year, about twenty-five million (25,000,000) trees are being cut down. More and more people are realizing that the Earth is getting depleted from it's natural resources. When paper made from trees goes to landfills, it produces methane which is a greenhouse gas and that methane gas is very harmful for the environment. According to Sam Martin, a feature writer in ecology.com, "The fact is, world consumption of paper has grown four hundred percent in the last forty years. Now nearly four billion trees or thirty-five percent (35%) of the total trees cut around the world are used in paper industries on every continent. besides what you can see around you, paper comes in many forms from tissue paper to cardboard packaging to stereo speakers to electrical plugs to home insulation to the sole inserts in your tennis shoes. In short, paper is everywhere." Our research topic is about making an alternative ways on how to produce paper. Through this experiment, we could stop the spread of greenhouse gases which are caused by paper made from trees. We will use raw materials as the basis of this experiment. Paper that is made out of corn husk is environment friendly because it doesn't harm the environment and it is made from natural resources. It's procedure is simple and it can be done at home by adults and children as well. In our own simple ways, we can help reduce the trees that are being cut in the forest. We could help save the environment.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to prove that corn husk as a paper can be used as a decorative materials/crafts.

Specifically: 1. What are the different uses of corn husk aside from decoration? 2. What are the components of corn husk that makes it efficient for decoration? 3. What are the disadvantages of corn husk as a paper?

Statement of the Hypothesis

1. Aside from decorations, corn husk can also be used for cooking. In wrapping left over foods for different types of sea foods such as fish, crabs, prawns, and so on. Kindling for starting fires, stuffed mattresses, making of simple toy are just some other benefits of corn husk. 2. Corn husks have fiber that is produced from natural plants, such as sisal, reed, bamboo, jute and arrowroot. Fiber is virtually indigestible substance that is found mainly in the outer layers of plants. This fiber will surely help in making the corn husk stronger and better for decorations. It also has cellulose that has greater tensile strength and elongation. 3. Corn husks are too thick to write on. They are not as soft and smooth like a ordinary paper. Corn husk contains strips of silk that's why it can be easily torn apart. Because of those silk, not all kinds of ballpoint pen can be used to write in the corn husk paper. It will smuggle and the corn husk might break and be torn apart.

Significance of the Study

Paper is one of the most fundamental things that the nature has given to us. It is very important to us because many things that can be found around us is made out of paper. But paper is made from trees that can be found around the world and it is part of our nature. Imagine how many trees are being cut every second. This experiment aims to show the importance of paper. Through this experiment, we could be able to use another natural product to make paper out of it. Since the husk of the corn is just the cover, it cannot be eaten and are just thrown away; we could use it to produce paper. In this way, we can lessen the production of paper. And by lessening the production of paper, we are also lessening the trees that are being cut in the forest. Even though this paper out of corn husk cannot replace paper, this simple alternative way of making a paper can go a long way. It is said that recycling is a significant way to make positive changes in environmental issues as it saves the wastage of natural resources in a big way. By using raw materials to produce new paper, disposal problems are reduced. In our simple way, we could help save and protect the environment

Scope and Limitations

Scope and limitations is a process to know the differences of each material and their durability. Corn husk and paper are just the same, although they make many differences. When you try to write on a corn husk, it easily breaks apart, while paper is easier and is more recommended to write on. Any kind of ink can be used. When a paper gets wet it will break, but a corn husk is not affected when damped or wet.

Definition of Terms

Disposal is a systematic destruction; especially: destruction or transformation of garbage. Hand sheet formation is a fiber model and simulation method that is employed to investigate the mechanical response of planar fiber networks subjected to elongation deformation. Kindling is an ignition material, such as dry sticks of wood; used to start a fire.

y y

Pulping is the process of converting wood of lignocelluloses non-wood material to separate pulp fibers for papermaking. Recycling use. is about the process of making the used materials suitable for further

Chapter II Review of Related Literature

Foreign Studies

Some foreign researchers have already made and proven this experiment about paper from corn husks. One of them is a writer named G.D. Palmer from Wisconsin, USA. Who proved that it is possible to make papyrus paper with corn husk and other materials like washing soda, wheat flour, etc. According to this researcher, Papyrus reed is hard to get, unless you live in Egypt, however, you can make a similar kind of paper using corn husks from the supermarket. This basic paper is simple to make and a great project for kids and adults, too. Corn husk paper has a rough surface that's easier to mark on with a brush and ink than with a pen or pencil. The Chinese first began the process of paper making, using the inner bark of mulberry trees and fibers from cloth and hemp. Today, the same basic methods are used in paper making. Traditionally, they use cellulosic fibers from a water suspension to create sheets on a screen (Visperas, 1995). With the fast deteriorating amount of virgin fiber left in the country, it has become impressive to recycle more paper and look for other sources of fibers for paper making (Britt, 1974). Various raw materials are used in the production of handmade papers (Vispers, 1995). They are divided into the natural waste fibers group (banana stalks and bagasse), and the semi-processed materials (pulp and recycled paper), while the one not belonging to any of the above three groups are separately lumped together (water lily and corn husks).

Local Studies

The Philippines has an abundant source of indigenous raw materials, particularly in the provinces, which are being tapped into by semi-processed materials producers who are looking to sell their products to bulk buyers. Through this study of finding the Quality of Recycled Papers with Corn Husk (Zea Mays) and Banana Peeling (Musa Compressa) as Components determines that a ratio of part 1 test material is banana pulp/ corn pulp and 3 parts of paper pulp was formulated in developing the recycle paper well. To assess its quality then the appearance, texture, permeability, and durability of the recycled papers should be known. It was establish that the paper with corn husk is better in terms of appearance and permeability. The computed mean rank showed that the paper with banana peeling ranked higher than the paper with corn husk. This proves that banana peeling is a better component material and best quality for paper. Trees in the Philippines are continuously being cut down to make paper. To conserve our dwindling forests, there is a need to use recycled paper but the main drawback is the poor quality of such paper compared to paper made from virgin fibers. Thus, the search for ideal fibers that will improve the quality of recycled paper. On the other hand, piles of garbage in the form of raw materials are rapidly increasing. To compound the problem, population surge in the country results in the need for more houses and buildings. These results in less garbage dump sites available for use. To enhance the quality of recycled paper, discarded raw materials like banana (saba) and Corn peelings, if and when found to be an ideal component in recycled paper making, will be an ideal solution to our rising garbage problem, at the same time reducing the need to cut down more trees saving our forest resources in the process.

Chapter III Methodology

Materials

In this experiment, the materials that are needed are corn, pulp and molder. First, collect corn husks. Peel the corn husk from the corn. Make sure to remove the silk from the corn husk. Second, make a molder. A molder is used to define the shape or outcome of the paper. It will help the pulp mold its shape and size. The materials needed in making the molder are: window screening, staple gun, hammer, scissors, duct tape, four wood, screwdriver, pliers and garbage bag. Lastly, make a pulp. The pulp is the one that will turn into paper. In making a pulp, the materials needed are: crock pot, blender, plant fiber, water and shredded toilet paper. Use a sponge to dub the excess water from the pulp or put newspaper under the molder to help sip the water from the paper and an iron to dry and flatten the newly formed paper.

Procedures

First, cut the husk into small pieces and place them in the crock pot. Put some warm water and let them simmer for about thirty minutes. This will help the husk to soften and separate the fibers. Place the softened husk into the blender with enough water and blend it for forty five minutes or until there is no more pieces of corn husk left. Also add other types of pulp in the mixture. Remove the pulp from the blender and strain it. The fibers may look stringy. Blend again the strained fibers to get

smaller fibers and use warm water. Put cornstarch while blending. Now place these pulps into a larger vat or sink full of water. Immerse the mold and pull a sheet of paper by lifting the mold in a horizontal position from the water. Place the mold over a pan to catch the water as it drips while the air dries the paper. It can take up to two days to dry this way. To dry it in half the time, use a sponge to dab excess water from the paper or put newspaper under the molder to sip the water from the paper. Dry it thoroughly. Lastly, to finalize the paper, remove the dried paper from the molder by placing it upside down on a flat surface. Use your fingers to help the paper separate from the screen. If you want to change the color of your newly formed paper, just dab the color of your liking with a wet teabag. Continue the process until the color of your liking appears. To dry and to flatten the crumpled part of the paper, just place it between two clean sheets of paper and press it with hot iron.

Chapter IV Data and Results

Results

The paper that is made out of corn husk is just like an ordinary paper except for being a little rough. We tried to figure out if a recycled paper is as good as an ordinary or new one. The results we're unexpected because we thought we can't make a paper using a corn husk. We asked 5 of our block mates from MT1-4 to rate the smoothness of the paper and the results are as follows:

Not so Smooth 5

Moderately Smooth 0

Smooth 0

Discussions

What was written in our hypothesis slightly supports the data that was acquired. The results attained were the same as the results of other investigators. These investigators also said that paper made of corn husk is not that durable than other kinds of paper in terms of appearance and permeability. It has been proven that paper can be produced out of corn husks but the finished product proves that it is not that durable and this type of paper wouldn't give assurance that it can last for a long time. However, some of the results obtained did not support the hypothesis. Seeing the final product, there is no assurance that these recycled papers can be used for wrapping of leftover foods or other kinds of objects because of its thick texture and fragile state, the paper may apart therefore causing it not to be a function for wrapping. It may be for decoration, kindling and writing purposes, but it is not certain if this paper serve as wrapper. After the research that was carried out, some formulates questions are necessary to further deepen the data acquired. Aside from the functions mentioned, what other uses can this paper have? Can this paper still be available for future use?

Chapter V Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusion

In this experiment, it is clearly shown that corn husk can be made into paper without using chemicals. Even though the paper out of corn husk and paper have different characteristics and components, we can say that corn husk is capable to be an alternative way in making paper. It is very durable and can absorb water without breaking easily. It contains the same components with the trees, like the fibers that keep the paper intact with each other. This experiment proved to us that there are still many natural products that can be made to paper not just trees. We can also help in the reduction of trees being cut. Through this experiment, we figured out another way of reducing the consumption of papers in the world. Corn husk can be really made into paper.

Recommendation

Corn husk is a natural product that came from nature. Mainly, it is the protective covering of the corn. Our group did some experimentation on how to make a paper out of it. One out of three papers had good results. For the next researchers who are planning to redo this experiment, we suggest and recommend you to be mindful of what you are doing. Make sure to follow all the steps and procedure clearly and neatly because one mistake can affect the outcome of the experiment. Make sure to have the complete materials on hand and be careful in handling it. Accuracy is a very important factor because you can test how well you can do in this experiment. Aim for the best result and remember to be patient in making this experiment.

Chapter VI Acknowledgement

First of all, we would like to give our deepest gratitude to our dearest Chemistry Laboratory teacher, Ms. Joy Mendiola for giving us the opportunity to conduct this research/investigatory project, because in this experiment we've gained new knowledge and became more aware of the state of our environment today, and also deepen the bonds between the members of our group. Not to be forgotten to be thankful for our parents for providing everything we need such as materials, money and of course their advice. Their support and encouragement made it easier for us not to procrastinate in doing it. Lastly, we would like to thank and congratulate ourselves for finishing this experiment and being cooperative and open to share ideas to make this investigatory project successful.

Chapter VII References

 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-uses-for-corn-husks.htm  http://ecology.com/features/paperchase/  http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/25446  http://e.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindling  http://e.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulping  http://www.ehow.com/how_5819683_make-papyrus-paper-corn-husk.html  http://www.ehow.com/how_5335462_make-own-handmade-paper.html#ixzz1 4bbfwWaH

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