Norwell Brian C. Bautista, Mialo C. Lacaden, John Paul Q. Carillo (January 2003)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Various researchers were done to study the feasibility of different raw materials for the paper. This study is another contributor to the paper making section of the field of research. In this study, the researchers made and compared paper made from banana stalk fibers (Musa musaceae) and pineapple leaf fibers (Ananas comosus). The researchers used common household and laboratory equipments and spend about two months to complete the manufacturing and comparing of both papers. Among the comparability tests performed were appearance test, where in volunteers judged the final products according to smoothness, neatness of surface and whiteness, durability test, based, based on the number of folds the paper can undergo until it tears, oil retention test and water resistance test. The results of the tests, favored the paper made from pineapple fibers. So pineapple fibers are better raw materials for paper. As a significant finding, banana fibers remain strong and sturdy even when wet or after cooked wirth chemicals. Banana fibers should work as good raw materials for rope rather than paper.