CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Human beings consume billions of bananas each year, making this

peculiar yellow fruit one of the most popular foods in the world. Full of vitamins

and minerals including potassium – a nutrient which is well known for its ability to

aid with muscle recovery after strenuous physical activity – it’s easy to see why

we like them so much. However, those billions of bananas we eat result in

billions of banana peels which are typically thrown away, leading to several

million pounds of waste added to the world’s landfills each year. If you’re

thinking, “Wow! That’s a lot of trash,” you’re right. But it doesn’t have to be.

Bananas are among the most important food crops on the planet. Bananas are

most commonly known for being a good source of potassium. Bananas contain

several vitamins and minerals. It helps with metabolism. It plays an important role

in brain development during pregnancy and infancy and in the immune system.

Aside from their health benefits, did you know that banana peelings can be used

as a substitute for the production of pinboards?

Banana is one of the most common and widely grown fruit crops in the

Philippines. It is also one of the country’s major dollar earners, and banana has

consistently ranked next to coconut oil and prawns in terms of value earning

during the last five years. In 1993, bananas topped local production of other

1
major fruits such as pineapple and mango. Banana has many uses. The ripe fruit

is pureed, candied, and preserved in various forms when not eaten fresh. Its

extract is used in the manufacture of catsup, vinegar, and wine. The unripe fruit

is powdered and chipped. Among the more popular varieties are the Bungulan,

Lacatan, Latundan, Saba, and Cavendish. In rural areas, the young leaves are

pounded and applied to injuries to suppress bleeding. The leaves are also used

widely as packing materials for fruits and vegetables in market centers. Banana

fiber is woven into rope and mat. Sheets of paper and paper boards are also

made from banana peel. Banana blossom is exported dried and usually added to

meat recipes. Banana has long been considered a food, fruit, and fodder crop. In

addition to this, now a day, it is also gaining importance as a source of fiber.

Annually about 1.5 million tons of dry banana fibers can be produced from the

outer sheath of pseudostem. Being a rich source of natural fibers, the

pseudostem can be profitably utilized for numerous applications and the

preparation of various products (Bhowmik, Duraveil, Kumar, & Umadevi, 2012).

The study will be conducted to investigate or explore the effectiveness of

these pinboards made up of banana peelings and how to work compared to an

ordinary pinboard. The purpose of this research is to produce a demand number

of pinboards through the peelings of bananas as an alternative to buying costly

pinboards to prove very helpful and useful to students, offices, and schoolwork,

and it is easy to make and would cost lesser expenses considering the

availability of banana peels.

2
Statement of the Problem

This study will be conducted to explore the effectiveness of banana peel

as a substitute raw material in the production of pinboards and the qualities that it

possesses in relation to pinboards. The aim of this study is to produce an

appealing number of pinboards through the peelings of bananas as an alternative

to buying costly pinboards. This will allow people to purchase environment-

friendly at a lesser price considering the abundance and availability of banana

peel.

This study aims to answer the following questions in particular:

1. What mixture of banana peelings and cornstarch will give the best setup?

2. How will the quality of the pinboards out of banana peelings be

comparable to commercialized pinboards, in terms of density, water

absorption, and cost?

3. How long can pinboards from banana peel last?

4. What is the adverse effect of the development of this project on the

environment?

5. Are banana peelings effective as a raw material in the production of

pinboards?

3
Significance of the Study

The information that the researchers will gather and will present will be significant

to the following:

Students. This study will be beneficial to students because it will be helpful for

their academics or other activities. For instance, they can pin all of their

schedules and assignments. and this can also reduce costs. Fostering the values

of independence, creativity, and environmental care is a beneficial activity. This

might be useful for students learning about recycling. Many people may be able

to take part in the effort to protect the world's resources.

Teachers. This study will be a great opportunity for teachers to organize their to-

do lists through pinning from pinboards while being cost-effective and

environment-friendly.

Manufacturers. This study will serve as a foundation for manufacturers to

innovate and produce a demand number of pinboards while being eco-friendly

and budget friendly for the consumers.

Community. Through this study, they will be able to achieve their intended goals

and enhance their abilities and skills. They will also be able to take action to deal

with global issues more effectively. Instead of purchasing costly pinboards,

perhaps they should learn how to manufacture them to save money.

4
Future Researchers. The information that they can gather from this study to can

be used as a basis and encouragement to conduct a more thorough investigation

while utilizing this study as a guide.

Definition of Terms

To unlock the difficulties, the following terms were defined:

Banana Peel. In this study, it is defined as the outer shell (cover) of the banana

fruit. It is a by-product of home consumption and the processing of bananas.

Banana Fiber. As defined in the study, it is a natural fiber extracted from the

stem of the banana tree and used for making papers and various products.

Pinboards. In this study, the term is used to a material that is used to display

important dates, manage people and projects, and organize schedules.

Eco-friendly. This term is defined in this study as practices or behaviors that are

implemented in a way that reduces harm to the environment and promotes

sustainability.

Recyclable. This term refers to a product or a material that can still be used or

transformed into a new product. These are materials that have been recovered or

diverted from the non-hazardous solid waste stream for purpose of reuse,

recycling, or reclamation and a substantial.

Paper Molder. It is a material used to collect each sheet of pulp during the

handmade paper process. In this study,

5
Effectiveness. In this study, it is defined as the validity and efficacy of banana

peel as a substitute raw material.

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Theoretical Background

Bananas are one of the most common and widely grown fruit crops in the

Philippines. There are over 57 varieties of bananas worldwide; 5 of which are

common in the Philippines namely saba, lacatan, latundan, bungulan, and

5ocuments. It is also one of the country’s major dollar earners and has

consistently ranked next to coconut oil and prawns in terms of value earnings

during the last five years (Banana Production Guide, 2016).

Banana is the number one fruit commodity in the Philippines both in

production and land scale. The Philippines produced a total of 2.39 million metric

tons of banana in the last quarter of 2019. The total banana production is

distributed based on the requirements of the domestic and export market (PSA,

2019). Aside from its fruit, banana plants are also known for its leaves. After a

banana plant Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Vol.

16, No. 1 28 yields its fruit, it dies and is replaced by a secondary stem called

6
sucker (FAO, 2011). The main stem together with the leaves is considered waste

as it was thrown away after fruit is harvested. Banana leaves should be utilized to

prevent it from being treated as waste.

Banana is one of the most important fruit crop plants and belongs to the

genus Musa. After harvesting the fruit, the plant is cut down and thrown away,

mostly as waste. The banana plant is largely divided into three parts-

pseudostem, peduncle and leaf. The pseudo stem portion of the plant fiber is

suitable for making ropes and twines (Saikia et al., 2012).

In 135 countries and territories across the tropics and subtropics, Bananas

are being produced. The majority of producers are farmers who grow the crop for

either home consumption or for local markets (Bergh, Picq, & Vézina, 2013) .

Banana is the second most produced fruit after citrus. It has 16% contribution in

the world’s total fruit production. It has also stated that India is the most or the

largest producer of banana in the world estimating up to 27% of banana’s

production. According to them the banana is useful in every part just like food,

feed, pharmaceutical, packaging, and many other industrial applications

(Debabandya Mohapatra, 2010).

Banana peel has been utilized for various industrial applications including

bio-fuel production, bio-sorbents, pulp and paper, cosmetics, energy-related

activities, organic fertilizer, environmental cleanup and biotechnology-related

processes. The banana peel is rich in phytochemical compounds than its pulp.

The antifungal, and antibiotic properties of banana peel can put to be a good use.

The peel is used as a home remedy for treating several skin problems including

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allergies and skin irritations. The banana peel waste is normally disposed of in

municipal landfills, which contributes to the existing environmental problems.

However, the problem can be recovered by utilizing its high-added value

compounds, including the dietary fiber fraction that has great potential in the

preparation of functional foods.

The banana plant has a very juicy aerial stem, properly denoted as the

pseudostem, which is a clustered, cylindrical aggregation comprised of leaf stalk

bases of leaf-petiole sheaths (Fanquiero, Mukhopadhyay, Senturk, & Yusuf,

2008). There is also a subterranean stem, known as the corm, as well as the part

that supports the banana fruit, peduncle, stalk, or rachis. The leaves and stalk of

the pseudostem are disposed of after the fruit has been harvested. Collectively,

the waste of banana production is an estimated 220 tons of byproduct per

hectare annually (Padam et al., 2012).

Banana has long been considered a food, fruit and fodder crop. In addition

to this, now a day, it is also gaining importance as a source of fiber. Annually

about 1.5 million tons of dry banana fibers can be produced from the outer

sheath of pseudostem. Being a rich source of natural fibers, the pseudostem can

be profitably utilized for numerous applications and preparation of various

products (Bhowmik, Duraveil, Kumar, & Umadevi, 2012).

Pseudostem and peduncle are the major source of fiber for banana.

These fibers can be used as raw material for making paper, cardboards, tea

bags, and etc. The strong property of pseudostem as a fiber is an advantage for

it to be a main product for making a rope since it contains a massive amount of

8
cellulose. And cellulose contains an indigestible or insoluble substance, making it

hard (Preethl, 2013).

As stated by Vigneswara, Pavithra, Gayathri, and Mythili (2015), banana

fibers have a huge contribution for textile and packaging industry. However, the

banana stem forms a major source of waste material. But today, most of banana

fibers are used for making ropes and cordage. They have compositions,

properties, and structures that are suitable for using in industrial applications

(Vigneswara, 2015).

Cornstarch can be enriched, meaning processed; cornstarch is

supplemented with an amount of nutrients equal to or greater than levels in the

unprocessed flour, including iron and B-vitamins (thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and

folic acid). Flour can also be (chemically) bleached to whiten or enhance baking

qualities or unbleached (naturally aged and bleached by oxygen present in the

air). When cornstarch is mixed with water, its proteins; gliadin and glutenin,

combine to form the protein known as gluten. Gluten gives dough elasticity,

strength, and structure (Colorado Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence,

2020).

Fernley, W. (2010) stated that corkboard throughout the ages, cork was

produced same as it ever was, with much of the cork going to waste. In 1890, a

German company began collecting the waste cork particles and using a clay

binder to create an agglomerate cork sheet. The next year an American by the

name of John T. Smith improved upon the process. Instead of using a clay

binder, Smith's process used heat and pressure to combine the waste cork

9
together, created a pure agglomerated corkboard. Initially, corkboard was used

primarily as insulation. This all changed in 1924 when George Brooks, a resident

of Topeka, Kansas, patented a new use for corkboard: as a bulletin board you

could stick tacks into. A simple yet brilliant design which has impacted the way

people post messages to this day. Also known as pin boards, bulletin boards and

of course cork boards, George Brooks' invention is a mainstay in homes and

offices around the world. As popularity at workplaces grew, the corkboard soon

began to become a common fixture in the home as well. Spouses could easily

post notes to each other, or notes for children. Today, as technology continues to

progress with computers, the Internet and more, bulletin boards are becoming

less ubiquitous, however they remain a mainstay in offices and many homes

throughout the world.

2.2 Related Studies

The following studies served as a basis for the conduction of this study.

Through several observations and analyses, the researchers have come to an

assumption that banana peel is also a viable raw material in the production of

pinboards.

In a study conducted by SPXAL back in 2011, a researcher experimented

on the feasibility of peanut shells with sawdust as a pinboard. Results show that

the experiment was successful once the peanut shells were cut into tiny pieces.

After the experimentation, the researcher conducted a survey among 10

10
participants and asked them to observe the appearance and odor of the pin

board made of peanut shells with sawdust (experimental group) and

commercialized pin board (control group), to determine the quality of both pin

boards. The experimental group obtained an average score of 1.4, while the

control group garnered an average score of 1, where 1 is excellent and 2 is

satisfactory.

According to a study by Joycelicious in 2012, pinboards are a common

necessity, they are used by students and office workers as a way to leave

messages in an effective and creative manner. This research aims to create a

pinboard out of peanut shells and coconut pulp, since this raw material is easily

obtained from the surroundings. Joycelicious’ goal is to answer the following

questions: Is there a significant difference between the commercial one and the

alternative one? Is it the same as the commercial in terms of color, odor, texture,

and hardness? The tests were based on the color, odor, texture, and hardness of

the pinboard. Results show that on their first trial, molds were found on top

because of non-continuous drying. Bad odor and brittle quality were also

observed. On their second trial, no more molds were found because of

continuous drying. Water and adhesive were added, which improved the quality

of the pinboard. In trial three, the pin board’s quality was harder and it did not

break easily, the color was like the commercialized pin board, and the texture

was rough.

According to a study conducted by Austria in 2016, coconut leaves are

usually used as a material in building ceilings, but once the coconut leaves dry

11
up it has no longer a purpose, and are just thrown away or burned. Cassava

starch is known for its remarkable characteristics to use as a glue-like substance.

The purpose of this study is to use coconut leaves as a material in producing

corkboards. Some of the questions yet unanswered were: What mixture of dried

coconut leaves and cassava starch will create the best outcome? Will there be a

significant difference between the control group and the experimental group?

Can dried coconut leaves be a substitute for making corkboards? And will society

be positively affected once this project succeeds?

A feasibility study of making pineapple peelings and leaves as corkboard

conducted by Francisco was aimed to answer the question: Will the quality of the

corkboard out of pineapple peelings and leaves be comparable to the

commercialized product, in terms of strength, appearance, and texture? Its goal

is to use waste material as an alternative to replace commercial material to

produce products that people use on a day-to-day basis. Experimental method of

research was observed, extraction, filtration, and testing are also included. The

researchers thought of a way to use a waste product for something useful

instead of just throwing them away.

According to the previous related studies, pinboards are essential to

people, especially to students and office workers that are in need of an organizer

for their notes, messages, calendars, etc. The researchers’ aim is to use waste

products such as peelings, leaves, shells, and pulps, and turn those into a useful

product, a pin board. The researchers used natural binding agents such as

coconut pulp and cassava starch, instead of using chemicals that are typically

12
used in the commercialized pin board, to promote an eco-friendly product to

society. The common question asked is: Are the experimental and

commercialized pinboards have a significant difference? The success rate of this

experiment is average to high, based on the previous researches. The general

tests used are observed based on its appearance, quality, odor, texture, and

color.

Hypothetical Statement

Ha = Banana peelings are suitable to be used as a substitute raw material in the

production of pinboards.

Ho = Banana peelings are not suitable to be used as a substitute raw material in

the production of pinboards.

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 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

A comprehensive analysis of the methods, that are, can be, or have been

used in this study. This outlines the research resources, methods and

procedures that were used to develop the environment-friendly and cost-effective

pinboard made up of banana peels.

This study is an experimental research, which means the variables are

being actively controlled. The gathering of the materials and experiments were

conducted in each of the researchers’ residences, hence a wide array of findings.

The main ingredient, banana peels, was also collected and gathered through the

purchase of the banana fruit and keeping the banana peels.

Materials:

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 • 200 grams of banana peelings

• 200 grams of torn papers

• 300 grams of cornstarch (converted into ml)

• molder (20 cm x 15 cm)

• fork

• clean-clean basin

• water

Research Procedure

Precision and consistency are required in the creation of the banana peel

pinboard. Minor errors should be avoided and refrained from happening, as the

experiment could result in a bad way if handled recklessly. There were two parts

of procedures that the researchers made use of which namely the general

procedures and the specific procedures.

General Procedures:

1. Prepare all the materials

15
2. Boil the banana peelings for 20 minutes at 75 °C.

3. Scrape the fiber of the boiled banana peelings with the use of a fork.

16
4. Soak torn papers into the water for 2 minutes.

17
5. Place the soaked paper in a clean basin together with the banana

peelings.

6. Mix the cornstarch together with the soaked paper and banana fiber

for 5 minutes.

18
Specific Procedures:

1. Gathering and Preparing the Materials

The researcher gathered all the materials including laboratory and kitchen

tools, especially the raw material. Next is removing the fibers from the banana

peelings. The researcher used a fork to scrape the fiber.

2. Measuring the Materials

By the use of laboratory apparatus, weighing scale, and beaker. The

researcher measured 50g, 100g, and 150g of banana peelings and 100 ml of

cornstarch to conduct each setup.

3. Cooking and Mixing

The researcher cooked the cornstarch in a pan. When it reached the paste

texture, the researcher put the scraped banana peelings and mixed it well.

4. Molding and Drying the Products

A screen, bottle, or rolling pin was used to mold the product. The

researcher simply puts the product on a screen, flattened it, and gave it a shape.

After the process of molding is the process of drying. This product is sun-dried.

The product is placed under the sun. Drying usually takes 1-2 days. Every time

the product gets curved, it is flipped to turn its back.

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5. Testing and Observing the Product

The water absorption and density were tested and observed. Water

absorption was tested by soaking the product in water for 5 minutes, while the

density was tested by measuring the mass and getting the volume of the product.

The researcher follows the formula for density is equal to mass over volume.

CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION, AND RESULTS AND

DISCUSSION

Table 1.1 Variables and Measurements

SETUPS Banana Peelings(g) Corn Starch (mL)

1 50 100

2 100 100

3 150 100

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 This table shows that all set-ups are made by a constant volume of corn

starch while banana peelings are measured as less than 50, equal to 100, and

greater than 50.

Table 1.2 Values and Measurement in Finding the Density

SETUPS MASS (g) VOLUME DENSITY OBSERVATION

(cm3) (g/cm3)

1 90 200 0.45 Pinboard floats in

water.
2 100 125 0.80 Pinboard floats in
water.
3 185 250 0.74 Pinboard floats in
water.

Pinboard floats in water because of its low density but having a high

density defines a better product because it is more compacted. In this project,

density was used to test the compactness of the product. All setups float in water

and the table above also shows that set up 2 got the highest density, meaning it

is the most compacted among the setups followed by set up 3 then set up 1.

GRAPH 1.1

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 DENSITY
250

200

150

100

50

0
MASS VOLUME

SET UP 1 SET UP 2 SET UP 3

Table 1.3 Measurements in Finding the Water Absorption

SETUPS MASS TIME

(minutes)
BEFORE AFTER SOAKING

SOAKING

1 90 100 5

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 2 100 140 5

3 185 240 5

Table 1.3 shows that all setups were soaked in water at a constant time of

5 minutes. Set up 1 absorbs less water followed by set up 2 then set up 3. The

setup that absorbs less water is the best product.

GRAPH 1.2

WATER ABSORPTION
300

250

200 SET UP 1
SET UP 2
150 SET UP 3

100

50

0
BEFORE SOAK- AFTER SOAKING RESULT
ING

Table 1.4 Comparisons of the Control and the Experimental Group

Water Density Cost

Absorption

Control group 20g 0.78 g/cm3 P650.00

Experimental 40g 0.74 g/cm3 P250.00 (same

23
 group size)

GETTING THE BEST SETUP

Best = 3 points

Better = 2 points

Good = 1 point

Table 1.5 The Best Setup

SET UP 1 SET UP 2 SET UP 3

DENSITY 1 3 2

WATER ABSORPTION 3 2 1

RESULT 4 5 3

The best setup is set up 2 having 5 points followed by set up 1 then set up 3.

Table 1.6 Displays of the Duration of Banana Peel Pinboards

(Survey)

RESPONDENT DURABILITY OF THE PRODUCT THEY RECEIVED

Laurence 10 DAYS

Christian Abay

24
 Clark Vincent 13 DAYS

Modequillo

Mr. Bert Kevin 13 DAYS

Escuadra

Renz Wynn 12 DAYS

Corbin

Paula Louise 10 DAYS

Abarquez

John Earl 15 DAYS

Echavez

Ms. Naomi 14 DAYS

Laurente

Julian Ramil 14 DAYS

Andales

Luke Patrick 11 DAYS

Fernandez

Ms. Amabelle 12 DAYS

Romo

Table 1.6 shows the durability of the product that the 10 respondents

received for testing and observation. It was observed that two respondents used

a product that lasted for 10 days. One respondent received a product that lasted

for 11 days. Two respondents used a product that lasted for 12 days. Two more

25
respondents said that the product they received for testing lasted for 13 days.

Another pair of respondents said that their product lasted for 14 days. And lastly,

one respondent said that their product lasted for 15 days.

Table 1.7 Adverse Effect of the Product on the Environment

(Survey)

RESPONDENT POSITIVELY NEGATIV REASON/WAY

ELY

Laurence It lessens the dirt around

Christian Abay us.

Clark Vincent Agricultural waste or

Modequillo discarded material will be

useful.

Mr. Bert Kevin Instead of dumping the

Escuadra banana peelings, it

became useful and it

promotes being eco-

friendly.

Renz Wynn The coconut leaves

Corbin became useful.

Paula Louise It might be cheaper than

Abarquez the commercial one.

26
 John Earl We can use the waste

Echavez material for producing a

good product.

Ms. Naomi It is more affordable than

Laurente the commercial one.

Julian Ramil It lessens the waste in our

Andales environment and it is very

useful and at the same

time affordable.

Luke Patrick It is affordable and can

Fernandez lessen waste in our

environment.

Ms. Amabelle It can help us reduce the

Romo waste in our environment.

The table above shows the answer to the question; how will the

development of pinboards made from banana peelings affect the environment? 3

teachers and 7 students were asked, and 10 out of 10 said that the development

of this product will affect the environment positively in a way that this product

could help to eradicate some of the environmental problems such as waste and

pollution. This study makes agricultural waste or discarded material useful and

the product to be produced in this study is much more affordable than the

commercial one.

27
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Summary of Findings

Based on the data presented, discussed, analyzed, and interpreted by the

researchers, it is found that banana peelings (Musa sapientum) can be used as a

28
raw material in making pinboards. The mixture of 100 g banana peelings and 100

ml of cornstarch produced the best product.

This study differs significantly from the commercial one in terms of water

absorption, density, and cost. This study affects the environment positively. It

lessens the waste caused by banana peelings and air pollution caused by

burning as well as dumping them. It can also be used in business and provide an

extra income.

B. Conclusions

The following are derived as conclusions as this study was conducted:

1. The best product was produced with 100 g of banana peelings and

100 ml of cornstarch.

2. Experimental group differs significantly from the control group in

terms of density, water absorption, and cost.

3. Pinboards made from banana peelings last up to 10 - 15 days.

4. The development of this project will have a positive effect on the

environment and could be a provider of extra income.

5. Banana peelings can be used as a raw material in making

pinboards.

C. Recommendations

It is widely recommended by the researcher to test the modulus of

elasticity to know if the product is ductile. Also, the researchers would suggest

29
that it is best to scrape the banana peelings more thoroughly. Moreover, the

researchers would suggest that it is best to apply vanilla cream along with the

mixture to lessen the foul odor of the used banana peelings.

The researcher also recommends conducting more setups to find the best

of the best mixture that’ll produce the best product. And it will be better to create

an experimental pinboard with the same size as the commercial one to better

differentiate the significant difference between them. It is also recommended to

show how will this product affect and helps the environment then conduct a

survey and ask others’ opinion regarding it.

APPENDICES

DENSITY Density = 100g/125cm3

Density = 0.8g/cm3

Density = mass/volume

30
WATER ABSORPTION

Water absorption = mass after

soaking - mass before soaking

Water absorption = 140g - 100g

Water absorption = 40g

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1