Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks as an Alternative Source

Material for Paper Making

Cassandra Marie Francesca V. Abina, Maybel Encinas, Allana Jane Abante

Mark Phillip B. Gregorio

A Research Proposal Presented to the Committee on Oral Examination

Senior High School Department of San Rafael National

High School, Tigaon Camarines Sur

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Practical Research 2

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

2019
 CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Background

Background of the Study

Flood and droughts soil erosion increases the slow foils, due to that

the specific cycle of flood and drought started. Air pollution there are

consequences for forest destruction. Its biggest disadvantage is in the form

of air pollution, the air where there is lack of trees gets polluted, the

problem of air pollution is the highest in the cities there people suffer from

many diseases especially breathing problems such as asthma. Global

warming has a direct impact on the natural climate change thereby

increasing the global temperature .This contributes to global warming

which has direct impact to human.

40% of the worlds commercially cut timber is used for the production

of paper. Pulpwood plantations and mills endanger natural habitats. Over

30 million acres of forest are destroyed annually. The pulp and paper

industry is a big contributor to the problem of deforestation. The life cycle

of paper is damaging to the environment from beginning to end. It starts

off with a tree being cut down and ends its life by being burned emitting

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Most of the materials in landfills are

made of paper when paper rots are burned or composted; it emits

methane, a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Pulp and paper mills discharge

water that’s riddled with solids, dissolved organic matter called lignin,

alcohol, inorganic material such as cholates, chlorine and metal

compounds. All of this contributes to soil and water pollution. The paper

industry is the 5th largest consumer of energy in the world. It uses up 4% of

the worlds energy. To produce 1 ton of virgin paper, it is estimated that 253

gallons of petrol is used

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is the main ingredient for Cocoa chocolate

production. According to Department of Agriculture of Davao (n.d.), cacao

pod husk which comprise 77% weight of Cacao are usually the main waste

from cacao beans processing. These unutilized cacao pod husks usually

generate foul odor and became an inoculants of pathogens that can bring

serious health problems to the nearby community.

Cacao pod husk is a major agro industrial residue with a potential

value as a low-cost unconventional feedstuff for livestock. The increased of

cocoa pod husk due to the growing global demand of chocolate products,

since cocoa bean is the main ingredient for chocolate production.

 The conventional material used for paper making are trees, as an

alternative to the usual source material, researchers will use Cacao

(Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks, utilizing the cacao for paper will not just

help the environment also the public health. Considering the scenario, the

researchers will utilize cacao pod husks as an alternative source material for

paper making to decrease the problems of waste disposal and

environmental problems

Paper is a made of cellulose fibers, formed on a wire screen from

water suspension. The fibers are separated and wetted to produce the

paper pulp, or stuck. The pulp filtered on a woven screen to form a sheet of

fiber, which is pressed and compacted to squeeze out most of the water,

the remaining water is removed by evaporation. The dry sheet is further

compressed and, depending upon the intended with other substances`

The cocoa paper contains cocoa shell content which gives the paper

a natural color and avoids the need for artificial dyes. The other is

predominantly made up of unbleached cellulose fibers from sustainable

crops.
 Cocoa is non-wood material pod husks are potential fiber sources of

pulp and paper production. These materials were used of pulp for paper

production industries to promote the concept ‘from waste to wealth’ and

recyclable material to available product ‘for reducing the environmental

issues. In order to maximize the utilization of non-wood fibers for pulp and

paper making and to propose sustainability of the studied plant as an

alternative fiber resources in pulp and paper making. Cocoa pods husk as

an alternative paper helps to improve the environmental responsibility and

enhance their waste recovery processes. Incorporating waste cocoa shells

into the paper-making process without the need for any additional

processing was the result.

Statement of the Problem

This study generally aims to evaluate the acceptability of unutilized

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) pod husks as an alternative source material for

paper making.

Specifically, this ought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the quality of the Cacao (Theobroma cacao) pod husks

used as an alternative paper material based on the following

attributes?

a. Tear Strength

b. Color

c. Smoothness

d. Stiffness

2. Is there a significant difference between the paper made of Cacao

(Theobroma cacao) pod husk and the commercialized product?

3. Which among the (2) two paper; the alternative paper from Cacao

Pod Husk and Commercialized paper will decompose faster?

Statement of the Objectives

This study generally aims to evaluate the acceptability of unutilized

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) pod husks as an alternative source material for

paper making.

Specific Objectives

1. To evaluate the quality of the alternative paper from Cacao

(Theobroma cacao) pod husks based on the following attributes:

a. Tear Strength

b. Color

c. Smoothness

d. stiffness

2. To determine the significant difference between the final product

and commercialized product.

3. To determine which among the alternative paper from Cacao Pod

Husk and Commercialized paper will decompose faster.

Statement of the Hypotheses

1. Ho: Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks is not acceptable as an

alternative source material for paper making.

Ha: Unutilized Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks is acceptable as

an alternative source material for paper making

2. Ho: There is no significant difference between the final product from

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks and commercialized product.

Ha: There is a significant difference between the final product from

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks and commercialized product.

3. Ho: Commercialized paper will decompose faster than the

Alternative paper from Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks

Ha: Alternative paper from Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husks will

decompose faster than the Commercialized paper.

Significance of the Study

The study will be considered significant to:

Community - it would be a solution to the problem of unutilized waste

from the production of several cacao products that usually gave foul odor
that attracts pests and pathogens that can harm people’s health..

Cacao Industry/Farmers – This study will provide valuable information on

practical ways of making use of unutilized cacao pod husks and farmers
may be encouraged to plant more Cacao Trees and Sell the discarded pod
husks and become an additional source of income.

Paper Industry – Paper industries may take advantage to get cheaper

source material for paper production and lower price of paper in the
market.

Consumers – this will help and provide the users for a new type of better of
paper

Department of Agriculture – This research will help to promote the

concept "from waste to wealth " and " recyclable material to available
product " for reducing the environmental issues.

Future Researchers - this study will serve as an eye opener for improving
this research or a guide study for providing relevant information for future
researchers.
Scope and Delimitation

This study mainly focuses on evaluating the acceptability of

unutilized Cacao (Theobroma cacao) pod husks as an alternative source

material for paper making. The parameters used in evaluating the qualities

of the paper are the tear strength, color, stiffness and smoothness. This

study will also focuses on determining the significant difference and which

will decompose faster between the produced alternative paper and the

commercialized paper.
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature and Studies

Cacao Pod Husks

Cacaos are the main ingredients for chocolate production. Processing

cacao produce cacao husk that is usually being unutilized and end up as bio-

waste. According to the Department of Agriculture of Davao City (n.d.),

when cacao husk leave unutilized, it generates foul odor and serve as an

inoculums of black pod rot and pathogens. Cacao pod husk (CPH) is a waste

by-product of the cocoa industry, obtained after the removal of the cocoa

beans from the fruit. Approximately 52–76 % of the weight of the cocoa

fruit is pod husk (Donkoh et al. 1991). For each ton of dry beans produced,

ten tons of cocoa pod husks are generated, which presents a serious

challenge for waste management (Faridah Yusof, et al., 2016).

Cacao pod husk is a major agro industrial residue with a potential

value as a low-cost unconventional feedstuff for livestock. The increased of

cocoa pod husk due to the growing global demand of chocolate products,

since cocoa bean is the main ingredient for chocolate production.

 Cacao pod husks represent between 70% to 75% of the whole weight

of the cacao fruit, i.e. per each ton of cacao fruit there will be between 700

to 750 kg of waste, and is a major by-product from the cacao industry but is

currently under-utilized. Nevertheless, some alternative have been carried

out to avoid the final disposal as well as to create valuable products, e.g.

food antioxidants, dietary fibers, animal feed. Cacao pod husks show good

features to be used as a precursor in the activated carbon production due

to its cellulosic and hemi-cellulosic content.

The cocoa paper contains cocoa shell content which gives the paper

a natural color and avoids the need for artificial dyes. The other is

predominantly made up of unbleach cellulose fibers from sustainable crops.

Cocoa pod husks are potential fibre sources of pulp and paper

production. In order to maximize the utilization of non-wood fibres cocoa

pod husks. Cocoa pod husks have a rough surface to protect their fibre. In

conclusion, chemical properties and morphological characteristics of

cassava peels and cocoa pod husks indicated that they a promising to be

used as an alternative fibre sources for pulp and paper making (Zawawi

Daud, Angnas Sari Mohn Kassim, et.al.,2013)

 The production of a brand new paper that repurposes the primary

waste material of cacao and chocolate industry reflects how far we can

push the capabilities of our state-of-the-art mill, our expertise and paper

itself perhaps providing a starting point for other industries to consider how

their waste materials could be better reused rather than disposed of. ( Elks,

Jennifer. 2013)

Paper

Due to increasing of pulp and paper demand in Malaysia has

inevitably caused the depletion in wood sources. Non-wood fibers offer

several advantages including its abundance volume, a short cycle growth

and environmentally friendly (Jahan et al., 2007).

Paper Making Process

Paper is a made of cellulose fibres, formed on a wire screen from

water suspension. The fibres are separated and wetted to produce the

paper pulp, or stuck. The pulp filtered on a woven screen to form a sheet of

fibre, which is pressed and compacted to squeezed out most of the water,
the remaining water is removed by evaporation. The dry sheet is further

compressed and, depending upon the intended with other substances`

Flood and droughts soil erosion increases the slow foils, due to that

the specific cycle of flood and drought started. Air pollution there are

consequences for forest destruction. Its biggest disadvantage is in the form

of air pollution, the air where there is lack of trees gets polluted, the

problem of air pollution is the highest in the cities there people suffer from

many diseases especially breathing problems such as asthma. Global

warming has a direct impact on the natural climate change thereby

increasing the global temperature .This contributes to global warming

which has direct impact to human.

40% of the worlds commercially cut timber ism used for the

production of paper. Pulpwood plantations and mills endanger natural

habitats. Over 30 million acres of forest are destroyed annually. The pulp

and paper industry is a big contributor to the problem of deforestation. The

life cycle of paper is damaging to the environment from beginning to end. It

starts off with a tree being cut down and ends its life by being burned

emitting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Paper production used lots of

water. An A4 paper requires 10 liter of water per sheet. Most of the

materials in landfills are made of paper when paper rots are burned or

composted; it emits methane, a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Pulp and

paper mills discharge water that’s riddled with solids, dissolved organic

matter called lignin, alcohol, inorganic material such as cholates, chlorine

and metal compounds. All of this contributes to soil and water pollution.

The paper industry is the 5th largest consumer of energy in the world. It

uses up 4% of the worlds energy. To produce 1 ton of virgin paper, it is

estimated that 253 gallons of petrol is used

 Conceptual Framework

As
INPUT show PROCESS in
To evaluate the the The Researcher will perform 1
OUTPUT
acceptability of trial with the experimental set
unutilized Cacao up only.
i. Gathering of
(Theobroma cacao) Evaluation of the qualities of the
Data through
pod husks as an paper under;
the finish
alternative source Smoothness Color
product.
material for paper Tear Strength stiffness
making.
Observation of decomposition

conceptual framework, the

study focuses on evaluating the acceptability of unutilized Cacao
(Theobroma cacao) pod husks as an alternative source material for paper
making and evaluating its qualities and observation of decomposition.
 Figure 1.Conceptual Framework
Conceptual Framework

INPUT - Evaluation of the acceptability of unutilized Cacao (Theobroma

cacao) pod husks as an alternative source material for paper making.

PROCESS- The researchers will perform 1 trial with experimental set up

only making the paper. Evaluation of the qualities of the final product and

commercialized paper will also be perform

OUTPUT- The output of this study is the alternative paper and its
information about the final product.

Definition of Terms

Cacao pod husk - Cacao pod husk is a major agro industrial residue with a
potential value as a low-cost unconventional feedstuff for livestock..

Cacao shell - the husk of cacao beans used as a stock feed or fertilizer or in
the preparation of a beverage.
Cellulosic - a polysaccharide which is composed of glucose monomers and
is the main constituent of the cell walls of plants. It is used in the
manufacture of numerous products, including paper, textiles,
pharmaceuticals and insulation.

Color – something used to give color to something: a pigment or dye.

Compressed - to press or squeezed so that it is smaller or fills less space

Pathogen - is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. The
term is most often used for agents that disrupt the normal physiology of a
multicellular animal or plant.

Pulp - a soft, wet, shapeless mass of material.

Qualities - a high level of value or excellence.

Smoothness - having a flat, even surface, not rough.

Sustainability - able to maintained at a certain rate or level.

Tear strength – the strength of the paper

Un-bleach cellulose – the un-bleach cellulose adopts a texture

characterized by small crumbs, forming a porous medium

Wire screen - is a made up of low carbon steel wire. It is available in various

sizes and shapes. It is widely used in agricultural, industrial, horticultural
and food procuring sectors.

Woven screen - used for filtration and is available in a wide range of

materials and mesh sizes
Bibliography

Daud Z., et al. (2013) Chemical Composition and Morphological of Cocoa

Pod Husks and Cassava Peels for Pulp and Paper Production.
Retrieved February 7, 2019 from
www.researchgate.net/publication/281424723_Chemical_Compositi
on_and_Morphological_of_Cocoa_Pod_Husks_and_Cassava_Peels_f
or_Pulp_and_Paper_Production.
Department of Agriculture, Davao City.(n.d) Cacao pod husk Briquettes.
Retrieved February 15, 2019 from http://davao.da.gov.ph/index
php/media-resources/17-news/341-cacao-pod-husk-briguettes

Donkoh A., et al.(1991). Chemical composition of cocoa pod husk and its
effect on growth and food efficiency in broiler chicks. Retrieved June
5, 2018 from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii
/0377840191901074
Elks J., (2014) How Sweet: Chocolate Bars Can Be Wrapped in Paper Made
from Cocoa Husk Waste. Retrieved from February 8, 2019
http://sustainablebrands.com

Yusof F., et al. (2016) Cocoa Pod Husk, a new source of hydrolase enzymes
aggregate. Retrieved February 13, 2019 from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov//pmc/articles/PMC4750640/

Material District, (January 7, 2015) Cacao Paper. Retrieved February 15,

2019 from materialdistrict.com/material/cacao-paper/

Chapter III

Research Methodology

Research Design
The One-shot case study design will be used by the researchers. It is
A type of pre-experimental design where a single group of test units is
exposed to an experimental treatment and a single measurement is taken
afterwards. The Complete Randomized Design/Posttest will be used for
this study to determine the significant difference between the Alternative
Paper from Cacao Pod Husk and the commercialized paper.

Locale of the Study

The study will be conducted in the Cacao Pod Husks will be collected
in the backyard of the researchers in Lagonoy and Tigaon.

Materials and Instruments that will be use

Cacao pod husk Sponge

Knife Towel

Chopping board Flat iron

Blender Bleach

Wire screen Bleach

Basin Blower

Woven screen

Materials and Instruments Purposes in the Experiment

The materials needed are; knife and chopping board to cut the cacao
pod husks, blender it to make the chopped Cacao Pod Husks into a paper
pulp, Bleach to whiten the made pulp, wire screen to get the freely floating
pulp in the basin, woven screen to intact and drain the captured paper
pulp, Sponge and a towel to sip the remaining water, blower to totally dry
the paper pulp. Flat iron, is using to flatten the surface of the paper pulp.
Cacao Pod Husks collected in the farm, market and households

Collecting of Cacao Pod Husks

The researchers will collect 1 sack of Cacao Pod Husk in the backyard
and local area of the researchers.

Preparation and Grinding Process of the Cacao Pod Husks

After collecting the Cacao pod husks, it will be soaked and wash
thoroughly in running water to remove the dirt. The cacao pod husk will be
cut into pieces using a knife and a chopping board, then after the cacao pod
husk has been chopped into small pieces, place the chopped pieces in the
blender in the water, then grind it for approximately 3 minutes until it
became a pulp. Put the ground cacao pod husk into a basin with a bleached
water then drench the paper screen and shake it sideward to strain the
substance. After straining, place it into a dry towel, put some weight on it
and let the towel absorb the water to dry to be properly compressed.

Evaluation Process

After finishing the product, the researchers will pick 5 persons to

evaluate the alternative paper and commercialized paper using an
evaluation sheet. After the evaluation , the researchers will conduct an
observation on the two (2) papers for at least 2-3 weeks on which among
the two (2) papers will decompose faster.

Data Collection and Organization

The evaluation takes place a day after the making of paper. Changes
in rate of qualities in term of stiffness, smoothness, color and tear strength
between the two (2) papers will be recorded.

What is the quality of the Cacao (Theobroma cacao) pod husks used
as an alternative paper material based on the following attributes?
Cacao Paper
 Attributes 5 4 3 2 1
Tear Strength
Color
Smoothness
Stiffness
Total

Commercialized Paper
Attributes 5 4 3 2 1
Tear Strength
Color
Smoothness
Stiffness
Total
 Rating Scale
Acceptabl 5 4 3 2 1 Not acceptable
e

Statistical Tool

This study will use one-way ANOVA to generalize the two sample t
test. The F statistic compares the variability between the groups to the
variability within the groups.
MST
F=
MSE
k

∑ (T 2i /ni )−G2 /n
MST = i−1
k−1
k ni k

∑ ∑ Y 2ij −∑ (T 2i /ni )
i=1 j =1 i=1
MSE=
n−k

Where f =the variance ratio for the overall test

MST =is the mean square due ¿ treatments/ groups
MSE=is themean square due ¿ error
( within groups , residual mean square)
Y ij =is an observation
T i=is a group total
G=is the grand total of all observations
ni =isthe number∈group
i and n = is the total number of observations