A DESIGN OF BIO-MASK EXTRACTING MACHINE: ABACA AND BANANA FIBER

AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF FACE MASKS

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Undergraduate School

of Lilyrose Educational Foundation Inc.

A. Mabini Avenue, Tanauan City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for

Research in Daily Life of Grade 11

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics

Esminda Imee

Mico, Amanda Ashley M.

Magsino, Jan Rovic C.

Moncada, Alliah Nicole M.

March 2022
 THESIS ABSTRACT

TITLE : A DESIGN OF BIO-MASK EXTRACTING MACHINE: ABACA

AND BANANA FIBER AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF FACE

MASKS

No of Pages :

Researchers : Imee Esminda Atienza

John Rovic Magsino

Amanda Ashley M. Mico

Alliah Nicole M. Moncada

Adviser : Engr. Jeverson V. Veluz, M. E.

School : Lilyrose Educational Foundation Inc.

School Year : 2021-2022

Level : Senior High School Grade 12

Strand : Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Summary

The purpose of this study is to design a bio-extracting machine for abaca and

banana fibers in use of making abaca and banana face mask, at the same time, this helps

our environment plastic waste that the world is dealing with. The objective of the study is:
(1) To design a technology that is potentially medical-grade, reusable bio-masks made

from abaca and banana fiber for an alternative source of face masks. (2) To make the

abaca and banana fiber as alternative natural facemasks for the consumers. (3) To

provide information about natural fibers, their components, and their use.

Survey was used by the researchers to gather needed data for the study. They

used the descriptive method in research design as how to choose the respondents on

their chosen place. 230 respondents from Pantay Bata and Población 2 of Tanauan City.

The data collected were interpreted using the formula for weighted mean which shows

the highest average amount of the chosen choices of the residents with the given number

of questions.

In conclusion, the researchers designed the bio mask machine that can withstand

a bulk work at the same time. The durability of the machine can withstand a long work for

a long period of time. The production of abaca and banana fibers will be easier and faster

that can lead to more production of abaca and banana face mask.

The data gathered from the survey was that the respondents often feel discomfort

of using face mask, they often want to buy boxes of face masks per month and the

respondents often would buy an expensive but naturally reusable face mask than a

disposable face mask. As a result, the abaca and banana face mask are made to be

comfortable and reusable to lessen the expenses spent by each and one of us.

Additionally, the study has shown that the respondents have not enough

knowledge about the abaca and banana fibers. They have never tried using a face mask

made out of natural and organic fibers but indeed they sometimes want to try/use the eco-

friendly natural face mask made out of abaca and banana fibers. The natural fibers are

addressing the advantages of its components in the environment than the once in the
market which is the disposable masks. Thus, this would satisfy the second objective of the

study which mainly points the alternative masks for the consumers.
 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

As the world has been facing a lot of difficulties whereas both people and the

environment get affected due to people’s behavior like erosion, air and water pollution,

improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes. They can get health problems that would lead

the bacteria or viruses to transmit to other people. Firstly, is the outrage of Coronavirus-

19 that spread throughout the entire world wherein people stay at their houses that often

attack more severe people 60+yrs or with health conditions like lung or heart diseases,

diabetes or conditions that affects their immune system. The said virus presents an

unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems, and the world of work. Due to

this with the help of personal proper equipment (PPE) and alcohol products will create a

non-disease-specific barrier to penetration of substances, solid, liquid, or airborne

particles and disinfect the viruses in your skin. But on the other hand, these kinds of

equipment are highly damaging the habitants of wildlife and aquatic-marine species. To

lessen the impact of adding plastic waste materials in society the researchers conducted

a study to design a bio-mask in which with the use of banana and abaca fiber as an

alternative source of face mask.

There are different masks that can alter the level of protection of the users like

cotton material and surgical masks which mainly the advisable mask is the surgical mask

that can be manufactured from different polymeric materials. Such

as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, polycarbonate,

polyethylene, or polyester depending on the order of the customers. Those polymeric

materials, exactly, have been using as raw material for different plastic product

productions. Disposable masks consist of three layers; an inner layer which is a fibrous

material, a middle layer (melt gusted filter part), and an outer layer (nonwoven, which are

water-resistant and colored). Those kinds of materials are expected harmful to the

environment. Furthermore, there are natural fibers that can be alternative filters for the

masks we’ve been using.

The Philippines Abaca Fiber largely comes from the chunks of abaca tree that are

generally rooted from banana leaf and are considered to be strong as polyester but high

on the sustainability front. A proper validation on the use of abaca fibers for the production

of face masks is offered by the country’s Department of Science and Technology. Reports

state that the region produces about 80% of these fibers in about 130 thousand hectares

of land. It supplies 8 percent in the world that is used in tea bags, ropes Mercedes Benz

Cars that as tough as polyester.

Banana fiber, a lignocellulosic fiber, obtained from the pseudo-stem of the banana

plant (Musa sepientum), is a bast fiber with relatively good mechanical properties. These

fibers can be used for various purposes such as in the textile, paper, or handicrafts

industry.Further-more, banana pseudostem fiber has been already proven to have

excellent physical and chemical characteristics such as better fineness and spinnability

than bamboo and ramie fiber, high moisture absorption, strength, lightweight, and is

economical, which makes it a good material for producing textile products.

Natural fibers are sustainable materials which are easily available in nature and

have advantages like low-cost, lightweight, renewability, biodegradability, and high

specific properties. The sustainability of the natural fiber-based composite materials has

led to upsurge its applications in various manufacturing sectors.

With this dreadful situation, plastic pollution is a terrible act in the environment, the

use of single-use plastics in our daily living can affect one’s life. Due to this we cannot able

to address the proper solutions. We cannot eliminate these kinds of materials with only

one solution but to expand our thoughts to figure out how people can stop this economic

problem.

Background of the Study

The world has been challenged by the pandemic which is called Coronavirus-19.

People must wear protective equipment such as face masks that help to prevent

transmitting any respiratory viruses emitted via droplets and aerosols. Although it affects

people it has also given a new challenge to the environment particularly to both aquatic

and terrestrial.

“Disposable masks may accumulate and release harmful chemical and biological

substances, such as bisphenol A, heavy metals, as well as pathogenic micro-organisms.

These may pose indirect adverse impacts on plants, animals and humans," says Elvis

Genbo Xu. If not disposed properly, disposable masks can end up in the environment,

freshwater systems, and oceans, where it can generate a large number of micro-sized

particles (smaller than 5 mm) during a relatively short period (weeks) and further fragment

into nano plastics (smaller than 1 micrometer). A newer and bigger concern is that the

masks are directly made from micro sized plastic fibers. When breaking down in the

environment, the mask may release more micro-sized plastics, easier and faster than bulk

plastics like plastic bags.

 According to a study, plastic waste flowing into our oceans could triple by the next

20 years to 29 million metric tons. Recent studies estimate that we use an astounding 129

billion face masks globally every month -- that is 3 million a minute. Such numbers signify

that although face masks add to the general protection during the pandemic situation, they

also contribute massively towards environmental degradation and landfill pollution,

demanding a bio-degradable solution and substitute. This has gradually led to the

emergence and usage of abaca and banana fiber-based surgical and sustainable masks.

Fiber from the banana and abaca tree could replace plastic in millions of face

masks and hospital gowns the world is making to fight the coronavirus. Fiber from a

relative of the banana tree could be the savior for us, it could replace plastic in the face of

millions of respiratory face masks and hospital gowns, PPE kits in the world that is right

now fighting in high spirits against the deadly coronavirus.

Abaca fiber is commonly used for filtration. It is generally a hypoallergenic material.

The banana fiber is firm yet soft, making it suitable for sewing and designing. This is the

reason why these fibers are the perfect raw material for face masks and protective gear.

In this crisis, we need to help each other out by buying local products to boost the country’s

economy. The abaca and banana face masks can be reused after it’s been washed with

water and soap. Additionally, once it is thrown away, decomposition will be faster. As no

plastics or chemicals were used in its fabrication, it will not harm the environment.

Objectives of the study

Mask nowadays has become an essential part of our daily life providing comfort

and protection against the dreadful virus, Covid 19. The researchers conducted a study
with the use of bio-masks: abaca and banana fiber as alternative filter to ensure the health

of people and environment also will promote the local products made from naturals.

The objectives of the study are the following:

1. To design a technology that is potentially medical-grade, reusable bio-

masks made from abaca and banana fiber for an alternative source of face

masks.

2. To make the abaca and banana fiber as an alternative natural facemask

for the consumers.

3. To provide information about natural fibers, their components, and their

use.

Significance of the Study

It is therefore the aim of the study to provide information which would be

beneficial to the following in the field of environment and safety:

To the Abaca and Banana Farmers, this study will provide them a new

opportunity that seeks to lessen their work as a stripper and make their work much easier

by introducing a high-tech machine.

To the front liners and other people, this study will provide them a face mask

that is safe to use, durable, comfortable, long lasting, reusable and environmentally

friendly.
 To the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), this study will be

substantial natural face masks that would help to promote local products and provide an

eco-friendly to the consumer.

To the environment, this study will contribute help to lessen the plastic waste

material in our country and make the environment cleaner.

To the economy, this study would help to grow our economy by means of

contribution of a new product of face mask that can utilize the usage of abaca and banana

fiber.

To the researchers, this study will help them to design and find a solution to the

problem of this research.

To the future researchers, this study will serve as a guide for additional

information regarding their works.

Conceptual Framework

This part consists of the conceptual framework that researchers have designed

and utilized in their studies. The system approach (concept-design-implement-output

system) was used in describing the study. This will serve as a reference point/structure

for the discussion of the literature, methodology and results. This plays an important role

in guiding the researchers in the entire process of the research study.

 Concept Design Implement Output
• Natural fiber • Material • Survey • Product
product • Sketch up • Interview • Process Flow
• Reusable face
masks
• Fibers from
abaca and

Figure 1. Research Paradigm of the Study

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study focuses on designing an eco-friendly facemask that are suitable for the

people. Also, to know how durable and efficient when it comes in filtering. Since abaca and

banana fiber is abundant in the Philippines, these plants would have a huge impact to the

growth of the economy by utilizing their mechanical strength and resistance to saltwater.

Additionally, the extracting machine for the farmers of abaca and banana for them to easily

extract the fibers on the said plants. On the other hand, the researchers decided not to include

planting any abaca and banana plant.

The study will be conducted on the specific area in Tanauan City. The respondents of

this research will include the people who go outside their houses, ranging from 13 to 65 years

old and especially the front liners. The study will be conducted on the dates between October

2021 and November 2021.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are conceptually defined. Some are operationally defined for the

researchers to have a better understanding of the relevance of these terms in the present

study.

Coronavirus-19- it is a type of disease that spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or

discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Decompose- the breaking down of raw organic materials to finished compost that gradually

is a complex process in which both chemical and biological processes must occur in order for

organic matter to change into compost.

Dispose- a removing or throwing substances of waste materials of the human society in the

proper deposition that includes burning, burial at landfills, recycling. With these kind of

practices people often not follow the rules and regulations for these materials and get rid

through the wrong process.

Bio-masks- a type of mask made out of natural fibers which is more efficient than the regular

face masks. It is a biodegradable product which is less harmful to the environment.

Face mask- it is one of the essential nowadays. There are different types of masks that can

prevent airborne diseases to get through our respiratory. It is a covering fabric made out of

synthetic fibers.

Fiber or fibre - a type of artificial or natural substance made of thin threads used to make

cloth or rope. It connects through each other to form a piece that gives people a comfortable

material.

Filter- a device that have the ability to protect against inhaled particles and also resist fluids

and limit the dispersion of exhaled properties.

Front liners – a group of people that operates in a hazardous situation facing any kinds of

threats without apprehension. They are the most vulnerable workers that risks to fight against

the Covid-19.

Lignocellulosic fiber- it is the scientific name for natural fiber that are extracted from plants

such as hemp and flax that can replace cotton and polyester fibers.

Local products- it is an item belonging to particularly area where you live. These kinds of

products are highly suggested if they visit an area that is community pride.
Machine- it is a piece of equipment which uses electricity or an engine in order to do a

particular kind of work.

Natural fibers- it is any hairlike raw material directly obtainable from an animal, vegetable, or

mineral source and convertible into nonwoven fabrics such as felt or paper or, after spinning

into yarns, into woven cloth.

Personal Proper Equipment- a type of equipment that is worn to minimize exposure to

different variety of hazardous substances.

Plastic Pollution- it is a type of accumulation in the environment of synthetic plastic products

to the point where they create problems for wildlife and their habitats as well as for human

populations.

Polymeric materials- it is any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of very

large molecules, called macromolecules. Some polymers bend and stretch, like rubber and

polyester.

Sclerenchyma- it is in the plants that support tissue composed of any of various kinds of hard

woody cells. Occurs in many different shapes and sizes, but two main types occur: fibres and

sclereids.

Single-use plastics- it is often also referred to as disposable plastics, intended to be used

only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These include, among other items, grocery

bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups and cutlery.

Synthetic Fibers- a man-made fibres that derived from chemical resources (Achwal 1984)

such as petroleum, or petrochemicals. Some common materials are nylon and polyester that

absorb less water and therefore are prone to static charge accumulation.
Waste Biomass- it is any organic matter wood, crops, seaweed, animal wastes that can be

used as an energy source but in the other hand they intend to throw some of its part because

they know it would be useful to the people.

Weaving- it is the act of making cloth by repeatedly crossing a single thread through two sets

of long threads on a loom

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF CONCEPTUAL LITERATURE AND RELATED STUDIES

This chapter includes relevant sources of information from foreign literature, local

literature, foreign studies and local studies which tackle the existing activities that promotes

abaca and banana fiber as an alternative face mask. This will be a guide to the research about

said topic presented in the next chapter.

Conceptual Literature

Major players in face mask production have in this manner scaled up their capacities.

The production capacities expected to increase as a COVID-19 infection case will increase

globally (Phan and Ching, 2020).

Jenny Yeh (2020) It’s been over six months since COVID-19 swept across and

ravaged the world, and in an effort to contain this unprecedented outbreak, face masks have

become a necessity. However, an increase in the use of disposable surgical face masks is

also creating unwanted impacts on our environment.

Melanie Desert (2020) This year, face masks have become as essential to carry

around with you as your keys and purse. Research suggests that masks help to dramatically

reduce the spread of Coronavirus, however 53 million masks are ending up in landfill every

day in the UK, with others abandoned elsewhere. Contaminated and not reusable, masks are

rivalling the dreaded plastic carrier bag as yet another waste product making its irreversible,

infectious and hazardous mark on the environment.

 Keiron P., Cressida B., Simon K., Steve F. (2020) Initially, discarded masks may risk

spreading coronavirus to waste collectors, litter pickers or members of the public who first

come across the litter. We know that in certain conditions, the virus can survive on a plastic

surgical mask for seven days. Over the medium to long term, animals and plants are also

affected. Through its sheer mass, plastic waste can smother environments and break up

ecosystems. Some animals also cannot tell the difference between plastic items and their

prey, subsequently choking on pieces of litter. Plastics break down into smaller pieces over

time, and the longer litter is in the environment, the more it will decompose. Plastics first break

down into microplastics and eventually into even smaller nano plastics. These tiny particles

and fibres are often long-lived polymers that can accumulate in food chains. Just one mask

can produce millions of particles, each with the potential to also carry chemicals and bacteria

up the food chain and potentially even into humans. Even if they do not choke, animals can

become malnourished as the materials fill up their stomachs but provide no nutrients. Smaller

animals may also become entangled in the elastic within the masks or within gloves as they

begin to break apart.

Dr George Leonard (2020) Wearing a face mask in public places has become the norm

in most countries, as the world continues fighting to keep the Covid-19 pandemic at bay.

Experts now estimate that each month, 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves are used

and disposed of globally. With a surgical mask weighing roughly 3.5g, that would equate to

451,500 tons of masks a month and, when placed next to one another, cover an area roughly

three times the size of Singapore. Conservationists and non-governmental organizations are

increasingly concerned that a lot of the plastic waste, especially pandemic-related waste, is

ending up in landfills, waterways and oceans, adding to the millions of tons of plastic waste

already dumped into the world's oceans every year.

 Fabienne Lang (2021) Approximately 52 billion face masks were made in 2020 in the

face of the COVID-19 pandemic with an estimate of 1.56 billion ending up in our oceans. the

terrifying scale of plastic pollution brought on by the pandemic, something which our planet

will be dealing with for roughly 450 years the amount of time it takes for plastic to break down.

Its calculations are "conservative," but that we're likely to see 3% of these 52 billion face

masks enter our waters. These are concerning numbers, especially as the report stated that

"Annually, it is estimated that marine plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals and

turtles, over a million seabirds, and even greater numbers of fish, invertebrates, and other

marine life."

According to Debnath and Das, (2012) These fibers are extracted from the pseudo

stem of the banana plant. Suitable banana fiber extractors can be used to extract the fibers

from the pseudo stems of the banana plant. The fibers are bleached and blended with jute

fiber for diverse value-added fashionable textiles.

The Philippine Department of Science and Technology has shown abaca paper to be

more water resistant than the ubiquitous N-95 mask.

Rebecca Coons (2020), In the Philippines, a natural fiber already used to produce tea

bags and Japanese currency could be used to produce biodegradable personal protective

equipment for preventing COVID-19 infection.

Victor Waller and Astrid Wilsby (2019) The stripping is either done by hand. The

manual stripping is a primitive way of fiber extraction which gives low investment costs in

comparison with more improved methods. The by hand stripping includes the tuxies being

placed between a blade and a block of weight which presses the tuxies against the cutting-

edge of the knife. Sometimes the knife could be serrated to facilitate the extraction of fiber

bundles which usually is a very physically demanding labor. The tuxies is then manually pulled
perpendicular to the cutting-edge which leads to an extraction of the tuxies fiber bundles of

abaca. Since the thickness of the obtained tuxies varies, the width between the blade and the

block can be adjusted by a pedal hence pressure against the cutting-edge is therefore

adjusted to fit each tuxy. The whole tuxie is not stripped in one pull since the stripping operator

needs one end f the tuxy to grab as he or she pulls it over the knife and therefore needs to do

a regrip to strip the other end of the tuxie as well. Furthermore, the reason for doing the tuxying

to extract the outer part of each leaf sheath is to make the pulling of the tuxie along the cutting-

edge of the knife easier and hence ease the burden of stripping. The primitive methodology

is obviously a disadvantage for the farmer productivity but it is an easier way to get in business

with since it requires low investment costs. Regarding the hand stripping method, one trunk

of abaca will give as much as 0.5 kg of extracted fibers. Also, there are farmers that strips the

tuxies without a knife at all. Instead, farmers are using their hands to extract bundles of fibers.

To thinner the tuxies before striping the vascular and parenchyma cells are being scraped off

against a tree. This is a very slow and low yielding way of production compared with the

previous method. Since tearing tuxies into fiber bundles by using fingers is not a very

precise and consistent method it results in fiber bundles of varying thickness and purity

and hence a lower grade.

Related Literature

According to the Department of Agriculture, banana is the leading fruit grown in the

Philippines.18 Aside from being a source of food, natural fiber can also be obtained from the

banana pseudo stem. It has been used in several countries to produce yarn, fertilizer,

biochemicals, paper and handicraft due to its good properties.19-21 Further-more, banana

pseudostem fiber has been already proven to have excellent physical and chemical
characteristics such as better fineness and spinnability than bamboo and ramie fiber, high

moisture absorption, strength, lightweight, and is economical, which makes it a good material

for producing textile products

Edlan Sambatyon (2020), Locally produced Abaca fibers were processed into special

filters and made into face masks. They have fresh and appealing designs that are made from

the finest abaca fibers. They are environment-friendly because they are biodegradable and

sustainable, comfortable to wear, and are also washable and reusable.

Giselle Bonife (2020) As the Global Pandemic continues and has affected our daily

lives – being quarantined and stuck home for a while, many businesses were also affected.

One of those affected is the ones working in the Fashion Industry, and to cope with the current

situation and attain sustainability; one fashion designer decided to make face masks out of

the banana fiber.

According to Grand View Research the extracted abaca fiber, a relative of species of

banana tree is said that the fiber is as durable as polyester and breaks down within two

months.

Asmita Gaire (2020) the fiber from banana tree can replace plastics in millions. The

mask that we use these days is also one of the major polluters since we use and throw it in

the bin since it can't be reused. Covid19 in one hand has helped to cut down pollution from

vehicles and other sources, while in the other hand, there are innumerable impact on the

environment related to use of plastic around the world.

Sophie Hirsh (2020) Disposable face masks are a life-saving necessity for medical

providers working with COVID-19 patients. However, medical-grade face masks (as well as

other personal protective equipment aka PPE) are almost always made from plastic-derived
materials, meaning they are not biodegradable — and a lot of PPE is going in the trash right

now. So, a group has developed a potentially-medical-grade, single-use face mask made from

a biodegradable material: abaca fibers, a plant similar to the banana tree.

Neil Francis Rafisura (2020) “We have this strong, tear-resistant, and water-absorbent

paper material that was introduced to us about five years ago. We experimented by applying

this strong material to make face mask or face cover. The material is based from 100% abaca

fiber, the strongest fiber in the world.

Karl Ocampo (2020) Unknown to many, a raw material sourced from a type of banana

plant, Musa textilis, is now in high demand due to the global shortage of one of the most

important tools against the coronavirus pandemic personal protective equipment. Locally

known as abaca, it has been one of the country’s top traditional cash crops for decades, along

with sugar and tobacco, and appears to be making a comeback as the world rushes to

produce more personal protective equipment. Abaca’s unique, porous fibers are ideal for

making medical fabric. As such, the crop has rapidly become a prized commodity as

governments all over the world try to stop the spread of COVID-19 without a vaccine, armed

only with masks and personal protective equipment to save lives.

Alex Tran (2021) Abaca fabric is a traditional fabric made from fibers that are found in

wild banana trees on Mindanao Island in The Philippines. The all-natural fibers are knotted

together and weaved into a fabric to create a durable and reusable face covering for use

during the pandemic. Abaca fiber is the strongest natural fiber. It is flexible, very durable,

resistant to saltwater damage, and biodegradable. Abaca mask are environmentally friendly

and have been created to reduce plastic waste and keep oceans clean and free from

discarded single-use face coverings.

 Jenny Molbog Mendoza (2020) The Musa Fabric has been maximizing the use of

banana fiber in creating different wearables. In fact, it has even produced face masks out of

the sustainable raw material which the province is known for.

Gleizl Joy Soo (2020) “I was looking for a fabric that will be used during my final

completion as a graduating student in Fashion Design. I went to our provincial government

office to ask for help if there are communities that produce a manually woven fabric which is

part of the Filipino culture,” Soo found out that there were already clusters of people that were

trained on how to do it using banana fiber. Soo said the banana fiber is firm yet soft, making

it suitable for sewing and designing. Soo said they take the fiber from the cavendish banana

plant. “It will be segregated to a single strand and will be combined with ordinary thread and

undergo the weaving process. I personally design the patterns according to inspirations I draw

out from different objects, experiences, places and valuable concepts,” Banana fiber is just

actually a waste material. But now it became useful.

Christa I. Dela Cruz (2020) Plastic pollution is one of the top environmental problems

in the world, and the COVID-19 pandemic isn't helping as single-use surgical masks, gloves,

gowns, and food packaging get added to the mix. Since face masks are now one of our

everyday necessities, finding a reusable option that's also effective can make a difference.

Teresita Fernandez Sebastian, a local crafter at Ody's Home Crafts in Catanduanes, is

designing reusable face masks that use abaca fiber. Abaca has been found to be seven

times more effective at filtration and protection than cloth masks, based on a test by

the Department of Science and Technology. They're also washable. In 2018, the House

of Representatives approved a bill declaring Catanduanes as the abaca capital of the

Philippines. The island province is the top abaca producer in the country, contributing about

90% of Bicol Region's total production and about 40% of the Philippines’ abaca exports. Aside

from its economic contributions, fiber production from abaca also has great environmental
benefits. The plant, which is a species of banana native to the Philippines, is considered to be

zero-waste. Its seed is used as enzymes for cosmetics, the seed oil is used for non-toxic

paints and dyes, and the stalks are the ones used as raw fiber material for ropes, clothes,

textiles, and crafts. The fiber can also be used as pulp for paper and packaging—and now for

handmade face masks.

Asmanto Subagyo and Achmad Chafidz (2018) Banana pseudo-stem fibers have

physical and chemical characteristics and other properties that make them good quality fiber.

In terms of physical properties, it has been reported in the literature that the banana pseudo-

stem fiber has good modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, and stiffness, which makes it a

promising fiber material [1]. The appearance of banana pseudo-stem fiber is quite like ramie

and bamboo fiber, but its spin ability and fineness are much better than that of ramie and

bamboo. It has average fineness of 2400 Nm. It is a strong fiber and has lower strain at break.

Its appearance is quite shiny, which depends on the extraction and spinning processes. It has

low density and strong moisture absorption quality. Its absorbance and release of moisture

are quite fast. Table 1 shows the physical and mechanical properties of banana pseudo-stem

fiber in comparison with other types of plant/natural fibers. Additionally, studies of X-ray

indicate that banana pseudo-stem fiber has a high degree of crystallinity with a spiral angle of

about 15°. In the crystalline region, the molecules are packed more tightly. The acid and alkali-

treated banana pseudo-stem fibers showed greater amorphous region than the untreated

fiber.
 CHAPTER III

Research Methodology

This chapter presents the discussion on the research methodology, the research

design, the respondents, locale of the study, research instrument, research procedure and

data analysis that was used in the research entitled “A Designed of Bio-masks Extracting

machine: Abaca and Banana fiber as an alternative source of Face masks”

Research Design

The researchers used the descriptive type of research design for this study. The term

descriptive research refers to characteristics of a population, situation, or phenomenon that

will be applied to a given topic. It requires data gathering that can be made in a lot of ways.

This research is more concerned with what rather than how or why something has happened.

Therefore, observation and survey tools are often used to gather data (Gall, Gall, & Borg,

2007). In the case of the researchers, the study would be explored through knowing the people

how long they use the synthetic masks. This would require gathering data among the people

who often use it on their daily necessities for their works to prevent inhaling the viruses. Since

the study focuses on designing a good alternative material which is Abaca and Banana fiber.

The researchers deemed it best to use descriptive research as the research design for the

matter.
Respondents of the Study

The research is targeted towards the frontliners of Barangay Pantay Matanda, and

Población 2 of Tanauan City and it will include the respondents with the age of 13 years old

and above. In this case, the researchers decided to conduct the study on the frontliners of

barangays and the others who frequently go outside their houses, specifically 230

respondents are the selected participants in this research.

Locale of the Study

The study was conducted in selected barangays of Tanauan City, Philippines. Shown below

is the location of the area.

Research Instrument

1. Interview Questions
 - Upon performing the accumulated study, the researchers will conduct

interview questionnaires to the said participants to gain more knowledge and

create a concrete data. With the help of interview questions, the researchers

can pursue in-dept information around the study that is being collected.

2. Administration

- The researchers will request for approval from the school administration to

seek permission to conduct a survey to the barangays of Tanauan City. The

data will be analyzed and confidential.

Research Procedure

After the validation of the checklist and upon requesting for the approval of conducting

a survey and interviewing in the barangays of Tanauan City, the researchers will assign the

representatives to present the collected data to his/her groupmates. The data gathering will

start from October 2021 and will end in December 2021.

Data Analysis

The gathered data of the study will be arranged and presented visually to assist

schematic interpretation of the data. In other words, the interpretation of the data will be

presented by getting the percentage and numeric interpretation of the results.

The following statistic tools are considered in data analysis:

 Weighted Mean. This is the tool used to review and rank the result of the arranged

data from checking points and perception of the respondents upon the research.

𝑋 = Mean

𝑥 = No. of choices in a given question

𝑁= Percentage of agreed respondents

𝑛 = No. of respondents
 CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This section presented the design of an automated bio-mask extracting machine for

stripping abaca leaf sheath and banana pseudo-stem that includes the discussions and

descriptions of the portions of the machine with their functions. This chapter incorporates the

bills and the provider of every material.

1. To a design bio-mask extracting machine considering its framework components.

Manual stripping machinery of abaca and banana consumes too much time, therefore,

one of the objectives of this study is to shorten the time of work. This section presents the

parts and processes on how to extract the fibers that are being stripped automatically.

A. Description of the Components of the Bio-mask Extracting Machine.

The figure below shows the outlines the bio-mask extracting machine. This shows the

course of action and the genuine elements of the machine.

Figure 3. Bio-mask Extracting Machine

Identification of System Components

The major components of this machine include the engine, pressure sensor, on and

off switch, cord plug, battery, manual handle, wheel blade, collector roller.
Engine. Figure 4 presents the engine of the machine that can be powered by electricity.

Figure 4. Engine

Pressure Sensor. Figure 5 illustrates the pressure sensor that is used for the safety of the

workers and the machine. If the sensor reaches the hardness limit of the things going inside

the machine, it will stop automatically.

Figure 5. Pressure Sensor

On and Off Switch. Figure 6 presents the on and off switch that is utilized by the workers to

operate the machine or to cease it.

Figure 6. On and Off Switch

Cord Plug. Figure 7 presents a cord plug that is used to operate the machine by the use of

electricity or it can be used to charge the machine.

Figure 7. Cord Plug

Battery. Figure 8 presents the battery it is used to power the machine or it is where the power

from the cord plug can be stored.

Figure 8. Battery

Manual handle. Figure 9 illustrates the manual handle it is used to use the machine manually.

Figure 9. Manual Handle

Wheel Blade. Figure 10 presents the wheel blade it is located inside the machine and it is

used to extract the fibers from the abaca and banana.

Figure 10. Blade

Collector Roller. Figure 11 presents the collector roller in which the extracted fibers will be

used to collect and secure properly the threads of the abaca and banana fibers.

Figure 11. Roller

Power the system by Attentively check the Store the abaca leaf Push the green
plugging the electrical sound of the electric sheath and banana button to start
plug motor. The LED lights pseudo-stem in the
will automatically blink. machine.

Manually collect the

threads and hang them
into a clothesline to dry
the product.

Figure 12. (Outside) Process Flow of the Bio-mask extracting Machine

After the two fibers are already The fibers automatically enter By spinning blades, the raw
separated inside the storage, into the belt, allowing the materials or the fibers would
the alarm will automatically ring pressure sensor to detect the easily separate it.
when it is full to maximize the product safety
allotted capacity inside

Finally, the roller is detachable Now, the threaded fibers will

to easily hang in the sun for the appear and will attach in the
excess water inside the roller to easily organize the
threaded abaca and banana product
fibers.

Figure 13. Process Flow inside the Bio-mask extracting Machine

C. The Bill of Materials

Table 1 presents the parts of the bio-mask extracting machine, the prices of every

material which the researchers used are detailed in this part of the section.

Table 1. Bill of Materials

Number Description Price Supplier

1 Bio-Mask Machine P30000 Astro Metal Craft

Body Frame

2 Engine P8999 DENSUI-NIKKO

3 Pressure Sensor P150 Ernest Tool Store

4 On and Off Switch P6.00 Garage Sale 01

5 Cord Plug P53.00 Vision Electronics

6 Battery P1500 Zhejiang Just Electrical

Appliances Co.,

Ltd.

7 Manual Handle P180 Shutter and Rolling Parts

8 Wheel Blade P3000 Astro Metal Craft

9 Collector Roller P1500 Astro Metal Craft

Total Price P45388

This section shows the price list of every part of the machine. It incorporates the

producer of the items and the complete cost of it. The overall budget for the machinery is

shown above that would help the researchers to know how much would it cost.
2. To make the abaca and banana fiber as alternative natural facemasks for the

consumers.

Commercial face masks such as surgical masks may be added to the main crisis

of the environment, therefore the researchers designed a newly invented eco-friendly face

mask. This section presents the data about the usage of a variety of facemasks and the

time they consume them.

Table 2. Times and Duration of Face masks per day

Survey Questions Weighted Mean Interpretation

How many times do 2.59 2 times

you use a face mask

per day?

How long do you use 2.74 1 to 2 and 3 to 5 hours

a face mask per day?

Table 2 presents the data about the times consumed by the community

answerable by (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more) times of using masks per day. The highest count is

1 to 2 times has 141 respondents. Also, it shows how long (1-50 minutes,1-2 hours, 3-5

hours, 5-10 hours, whole Day) per day. Approximately, the highest among the average

consumption was 1 to 2 hours and 3 to 5 hours ranging from 127 respondents.

Table 3. Type of face masks consumed by the residents of Barangay 2 and Pantay

Bata

Survey Questions Weighted Mean Interpretation

What kind of face 1.81 Surgical Mask

 mask do you use?

Table 3 presents the data on what type of face masks the residents consumed.

With the highest count of responses having a question of what kind of face mask do you

use? As indicated by the researchers, the residents preferred to use the surgical masks

having a weighted mean of 1.81.

Table 4. Sensitivity of daily usage of face masks

Survey Questions Weighted Mean Interpretation

Have you ever felt any

discomfort using a 2.39 Often

face mask throughout

the day?

Table 4 shows the sensitivity of daily usage of face masks by the chosen residents.

The researchers calculate the responses having a weighted mean of 2.39 with the

interpretation of often.

Table 5. Boxes of buying face masks every month

Survey Questions Weighted Mean Interpretation

Have you considered 1.86 Often

buying boxes of face

masks every month?

 Table 5 shows the data of the chosen residents buying boxes of face masks every

month. The researchers see that they often buy boxes of face masks having a weighted

mean of 1.86.

Table 6. Residents buying a more expensive reusable face mask.

Survey Questions Weighted Mean Interpretation

Is there a chance

that you would

consider buying a 2.46 Often

more expensive

reusable face mask

made from abaca

and banana fiber

than your normal

disposable face

mask?

Table 6 shows a reusable face mask that is more expensive than the ordinary

surgical mask. It is proven that they would often purchase it with the interpretation of 2.46.

3. To provide information about natural fibers, their components, and their uses.

The provided information is considered, not only knowing about the natural

fibers. This section will present data on how people are well aware of these kinds of

fibers and why it is needed than disposable synthetic face masks.

Table 7. The expected fame of natural face mask

Survey Questions Weighted Mean Interpretation

Have you ever tried

using a face mask 3.61 Never

made out of natural

or organic fibers?

Do you want to use/

try eco-friendly

natural organic 3.17 Sometimes

masks made out of

abaca and banana

fibers as alternative

protection against

harmful viruses?

Table 7 presents the data of the unknown natural organic face masks by the

researchers. The question shows if the people have already tried using a face mask made

out of natural or organic fiber has a weighted mean of 3.61 and interpretation of never. On

the other hand, the last question shows if they want to try/use the product having the

highest amount of count with the interpretation of sometimes and also a weighted mean

of 3.17.

Table 8. Knowledge about abaca and banana fibers

Survey Questions Weighted Mean Interpretation

Have you ever

experienced that you 3.62 Never

tried or searched

about abaca or

banana fibers?

The tables shown above shows the result of the survey from the respondents in

Barangay 2 and Pantay bata. The total number of respondents who answer the survey

was 229. As indicated in the survey, these are the highest count of answers that have

been computed by the researchers.

 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the results of the analysis of data gathered to support the

Bio-mask extracting machine. The data that is collected and presented in Chapter 4 will

be discussed in this chapter.

1. To a design bio-mask extracting machine considering its framework

components.

a. Engine- an engine of the machine that can be powered by electricity.

b. Pressure sensor- is used for the safety of the workers and the machine. If the

sensor reaches the hardness limit of the things going inside the machine, it will

stop automatically.

c. On and off switch- is used by the workers to operate the machine or to cease

it.

d. Cord Plug- used to operate the machine by the use of electricity or it can be

used to charge the machine.

e. Battery- is used to power the machine or it is where the power from the cord

plug can be stored.

f. Manual handle- used to use the machine manually.

g. Wheel Blade- it is located inside the machine and is used to extract the fibers

from the abaca and banana.

h. Collector roller- in which the extracted fibers will be used to collect and secure

properly the threads of the abaca and banana fibers.

The proposed bio-masks extracting machine costs Php 45388. The bio-mask

machine body frame is the most expensive part of the machine since it is customized
that is made out of stainless steel and aluminum. Stainless steel is strong and has good

stability that can withstand the weight of the other parts of the machine. Also, the use of

aluminum makes it malleable and light, which is used to shape the machine.

2. To make the abaca and banana fiber as alternative natural facemasks for the

consumers.

Based on the survey done by the researchers, the data showed a weighted mean

of 2.46 among the respondents which means it implies that they will buy these abaca

and banana face mask.

3. To provide information about natural fibers, their components, and their uses.

Based on the data gathered by the researchers, the data revealed a weighted

mean of 3.62 which means the residents are not aware about the natural fibers.

Furthermore, In the next few years it will determine if the product will emerge and began

to showcase the popularity due to its advantages not only to the people but especially to

the environment.

Conclusion

Based on the indicated findings, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. The researchers concluded that the Bio Mask Extracting machine was about Php

45,388. Every part that is used in this machine is functioning and the body of the machine

is durable. The expensive part of the machine is its custom-made frame that is made in

aluminum and stainless steel. This machine can withstand big bulk works at the same
time. Even this machine is expensive the researchers want to make this machine as

durable and as long-lasting as possible.

2. The researchers concluded that the respondents from Barangay 2 and Pantay Bata

uses a surgical mask. The respondents use a mask for a long period of time which

they often feel discomfort in using the synthetic surgical masks. They often want to

buy boxes of face masks per month and the respondents often buy an expensive but

reusable face mask than a disposable face mask.

3. The researchers concluded that the respondents have never tried a face mask made

out of organic and natural fibers. Also, based on the calculated data it proves that

they sometimes want to use/ try this product which they haven’t tried researching

these fibers that can be alternative source of face masks.

Recommendations

The following are the recommendations of the researchers:

1. The utilization of a bio-mask extracting machine is energetically prescribed to the

manufacturing plant of abaca and banana.

2. With its utilization, the laborers would at long last work quicker and more secure than

manual stripping the filaments of abaca hemp and banana.

3. The machine can likewise be embraced by other extracting natural fiber

manufacturing companies. Quicker extracting implies more creation in a limited

quantity of time.

4. As reflected in the result of the study, to individuals, it is more protected than cloth

masks and equivalent to the surgical mask with regards to filtering the aerosol
 particles yet the Abanana face masks offer much more comfortable with the

assistance of banana fiber.

5. It is reusable which would reduce the plastic waste in our current circumstance,

particularly in the groups of our water.

6. To the future researchers it can lead further exploration connected with this review

to work on the plan and capacity of the Bio-mask extracting machine.

Name(optional): ___________

Age:

13-17 Years Old 18-25 Years Old 26-50 Years Old 51 and above

Barangay:

Pantay Mata/Bata Barangay 2

Answer the following questions.

1. What is your occupation?

Full-time student House wife/husband Unemployed Retired Employed

Others

2. How many times do you use a face mask per day?

1 2 3 4 5 or more

3. How long do you use a face mask per day?

1-50 Minutes per Day 1-2 Hours per Day 3-5 Hours per Day 5-10 Hours per Day

Whole Day

4. What kind of face mask do you use?

Surgical mask N95 Copper mask Cotton masks Others

 Questions Always Often Sometimes Never

5. Have you ever

felt any

discomfort using

a face mask

throughout the

day?

6. Have you

consider buying

boxes of face

masks every

month?

7. Have you ever

tried using a

face mask made

out of natural or

organic fibers?

8. Is there a

chance that you

would consider

buying a more

expensive

reusable face
 Questions Always Often Sometimes Never

mask made from

abaca and

banana fiber

than your normal

disposable face

mask?

9. Do you use/try

these eco-

friendly natural

organic masks

made out of

abaca and

banana fibers as

alternative

protection

against harmful

viruses?

10. Have you

ever

experienced that

you tried or

searched about
 Questions Always Often Sometimes Never

abaca or banana

fibers?

Comments and/or questions

_____________________________________________________________________