Testing The Possibility of Banana Pseudo Stem as an Alternative Facemask

JOHN BRAVE B. YABUT

RICHARD C. LAGUYO

JESTER T. DANO

DONNA MAE M. DANI

KRISTINE MAE O. BUGAS

SHAINA MAE C. CAÑETE

QUEEN HAZEL ANNE A. ABE

DIMPLE JOY RAFAL

KEN JIU CANINO

A Research Proposal

Submitted to Senior High School Office

As Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Research / Capstone Project

June 2023
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In appreciation to the support given to this quantitative experimental study entitled

Testing the Possibility of Banana Pseudo Stem as an Alternative Face Mask, the researcher

would like to offer genuine or sincere thanks to the people behind the success of this research

study. Specifically, the researchers would like to express the sincere gratitude to the

following people:

Ms. Jeaneth Joyce Ladra, the research adviser for checking the papers, assessing

different errors specifically in our handouts and even the guidance and support to the research

study. We also thank for their suggestions in shaping the direction of this study.

Mr. Zaldy L. Bornea, the principal, for allowing us to conduct the study in the

research locale Makilala National High School located at Poblacion, Makilala, Cotabato.

Without their support, the study would likely to fail. With their loving and heartfelt support, it

prepares the path of our future even in the most challenging time.

Respondents, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for their participations and answering

the survey questionnaire genuinely. Also, for spending time in order for us to gather data

from their responses.

Researchers, who plead their role and responsibilities, big or small, their assistance is

highly appreciated. We would also like to thank for sharing their knowledge, time, effort, and

unstoppable support to make the study successful.

We also want to express our gratitude to everyone who helped with this study and

played a significant part, especially Almighty God, who has always guided us in producing

our products, primarily the Research Paper and banana pseudo stem as an alternative

facemask.
 ABSTRACT

Testing The Possibility of Banana Pseudo Stem as an Alternative Facemask

This study tests the possibility of banana pseudo stem to be an alternative facemask

it's positive impact to the Marketability and difference between the traditional facemask that

contain plastic polymer. Creating the banana pseudo stem as an alternative facemask by

boiling then destructing the fibers using blender and then sieved to create a mesh that serve as

a sheet for mask. Conducting a survey is one method utilized to gather the data needed in this

study. The researchers utilized descriptive analysis to describe the advantages and

effectiveness of banana pseudo stem as an alternative facemask in marketability and the

difference between the traditional facemask. The results of this study go into detail and

demonstrate the banana pseudo stem's substantial potential as a substitute facemask in

relation to the marketability and distinction from traditional facemask containing plastic

polymer. Thus, the alternative facemask made of banana pseudo stem offers several positive

attributes, including marketability and the difference of banana pseudo stem over the

traditional facemask.
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

According to UN news (2020) as cited by Nuesca & Baodilla (2022), disposable

facemask helps us fight Covid-19, however, it can also bring negative impacts to our

environment. It contains plastic produced from polymers, such as polypropylene,

polyurethane, poly acrylonitrile, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and polyethylene. As a result of

single use masks, a massive rise with the sum of littering on the streets, beaches, canals, and

rivers have been witnessed around 75% of it have been reported (United States of Food and

Drug administration, 2020). A similar view in the exploration conducted by Carag (2021)

confirmed that the use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable face masks,

gloves, and so on have become a new hygiene habit and protection against the virus, leading

to a 300% rise in demand at the peak of the pandemic.

On the other hand, Chia-Yuan et al. (2016) as cited by Aguilar, J. et al. (2016) studied

the use of banana filters which are made of lignin, improve the filtration efficiency of

facemask by reducing the pressure drop within the filter. Another study conducted by Heaven

(2018) as cited in the study of Aguilar et al. (2021) measured the viability of facemask when

in the contaminated area. They moreover tested each facial mask by having three dissimilar

dummies with three dissimilar qualities of air intake and measuring the quantity of

penetrations per facial masks.

In the latest study by Cuison, R. et al. (2021) concluded that the fiber obtained from

the pseudo-stem of banana plants can be utilized as a substitute for face masks, which could

potentially provide potential benefits for the farmers. They also mentioned that the use of
filter made from the strong fibers found in the pseudo stem of a banana can aid in protecting

against viruses. Also, Li et al. (2010) found out that banana pseudo-stem contains a high

amount of holocellulose and a low amount of lignin, which makes it a potentially valuable

resource for pulping compared to other non-wood fibers, in which banana pseudo stem has a

property that could make it a useful material for papermaking.

Davies et al. (2013) as cited by Aguilar, J. et al. (2021), discovered that testing the

water repellency of facial mask is crucial as it helps determine their effectiveness in

preventing the spread of diseases through droplets. In simpler terms, a water-repellent mask

is better at preventing a droplet-based transmission of disease.

Wearing facemask is still required in some establishment especially in Makilala

National High School. Thus, wearing facemask in this area could help the residents to protect

students not only to Covid-19 but also on communicable disease. The researchers want to

conduct this study to promote alternative facemask as it reduces viral transmission, prevent

the spread of pre-symptomatic infected individuals, consequently wearing facemask is still

essential in some establishments. It is beneficial to the individuals in Makilala National High

School as this can be and alternative or substitute to the traditional facemask to lessen the

waste that can cause pollution to the environment.

Significance of the Study

This study is beneficial to the faculty, teachers, staff, and students of Makilala

National High School, and to the future researchers.

To the teachers, faculty, staffs and students Makilala National High School. This

would be beneficial to the teachers, faculty, staff, and students as it would help them to avoid

the possibility of being infected by some communicable disease such as simple coughs and

colds, in addition it would also help the school to minimize the possibility of producing

pollution because environment as stated by Saliu et al. (2021), the multiple plastic fibers
content on the face mask stays on the environment for decades, possibly centuries while

decaying into smaller nano plastics.

For future researchers. This research can be useful to the future researchers as they

can use this as reference, this research will also guide them in doing their research and

generate new idea.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This exploration is concerned with (1) the repurposing of banana pseudo stem to

create an alternative facemask and, (2) the impact to its respondents to investigate the

potential benefits of using alternative facemask, as in the recent report of Makati Medical

Center (2022) that there are 3.4 billion facemasks were thrown away daily in a single use.

Banana pseudo stem as an alternative facemask is disposable, biodegradable and can be an

effective natural fertilizer to plants. A similar opinion by Carag (2021) explains that banana

pseudo stem as facemask is cheaper and environmentally friendly compared to surgical

facemask in view to the fact that it is compostable and has a significance to protect from

virus. The study was conducted in Makilala National High School, Rizal Street, Barangay

Población, Makilala North Cotabato starting on April 2023 using quantitative experimental

study as a method to collect and analyze the gathered data. The limitation of this study is that

the researcher has not tested the contents of a banana pseudo-stem facemask.

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this quantitative experimental study is to explore the possibility of

banana pseudo stem as an alternative face mask. It is also biodegradable, making it more

environmentally friendly for every individual at Makilala National High School.

Research Questions:

1. What are the advantages of using a biodegradable alternative facemask out of

banana pseudo stem over the surgical facemask in terms of marketability?

 2. How does banana pseudo stem as an alternative facemask differ from the

surgical facemask?

Conceptual Framework

Boil the chopped Banana Pseudo

Banana Pseudo Stem Cut into bits
Stem

Drying
process Sieve Mix in water Blending
process

Independent Variable
= (Factors)

 Marketability
Dependent Variable
Alternative Face Mask  Difference from the
traditional/Surgical
facemask

Figure 1. Conceptual framework of the study which contains the independent and dependent variables.

Definition of Terms

Pseudo Stem. A portion of the banana plant that resembles a trunk and is made up tightly

packed overlapping leaf sheaths.

Communicable Diseases. Disease that can be passed through one individual to another.

Disposable. Intended to be used once, or until no longer functional, and then discarded.

Environmentally Friendly. Material that considers the environment and can’t result to

pollution.

Facemask. A mask or protective covering for the face or part of the face to prevent

communicable diseases.
Fiber. One of the filaments that make up the majority of the intercellular matrix of connective

tissue.

Alternative: It is an alternate or substitute option that can be chosen instead of the

mainstream or traditional one.

Pollution. The consequence of making environment dirty and dangerous.

Polymer. A mixture of chemical substance that can be used and plays a vital role in

producing disposable facemasks.

Protection. It is a state of not being exposed to harmful or danger and refuse from obtaining

viruses and communicable diseases.

Possibility. Signifies the existence of potentiality or the capacity for something to happen or

be true.

Viruses. A micro-agent bacterium that infects humans but cannot be seen. If the situation is

not addressed, it may result in death.

 CHAPTER II

METHODOLOGY

Research Design and Locale

Quantitative experimental was utilized in this study to establish procedures to allow

researchers to test a hypothesis and to systematically and scientifically explore the

relationship between variables and predict the effectiveness of banana pseudo stem facemask.

The research locale is at Makilala National High School, Rizal Street, Poblacion Makilala,

Cotabato.

Figure 2. Map of Makilala National High School (Google map, 2023)

Population and Sampling Method

The study made use of purposive sampling method. Purposive sampling was used for

the convenience of the researchers to select ten (10) respondents, then the researchers pick 5

Male and 5 Female and let the respondents try the banana pseudo stem facemask and answer

the survey question about their experience on the said alternative facemask.

Data Gathering Procedure

 The researchers first gather related studies about the topic to make sure that

conducting this study would be effective and successful. Furthermore, the researchers also

experiment the possibility of banana pseudo stem as an alternative facemask to measure its

capability to withstand against different environmental conditions using different materials to

come up with the best product. After creating the product (facemask), the researchers

distributed the Parent consent and Survey Questionnaires to the respondents and conducted a

survey (See Appendix B and C).

Data Analysis and Procedure

The researchers applied several steps to analyze the data of this study, starting from

the procedures conducted to make the Alternative Facemask and conducting surveys to

examine the possibility and effectiveness of the alternative facemask. Descriptive analysis

was employed to analyze the data.

 CHAPTER III

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This part of the study shows the gathered data using IBM SPSS statistics v. 21 (Appendix

D).

Table 1. Advantage of the alternative facemask in terms of its marketability.

Frequency Mean Percent
Disagree 2 0.2 4%
Undecided 11 1.1 22%
Agree 26 2.6 52%
Strongly Agree 11 1.1 22%
Total 50 5 100%
Based on the information gathered from the respondents, 52% agreed and 22%

strongly agreed that it is possible to be on the market, while 22% are unsure and only 4%

disagree. This only implies that introducing alternative facemask in the market can be

accepted in the market.

Table 2. Statistics how the alternative facemask differs from surgical facemask.
Frequency Mean Percent
Strongly 8 0.8 16%
Disagree
Disagree 3 0.3 6%
Undecided 16 1.6 32%
Agree 13 1.3 26%
Strongly Agree 10 1 20
Total 50 5 100%
As shown in table 2, a comparison was made between facemasks containing plastic

polymers and alternative facemasks based on various factors: comfort, breathability, scent,

environmental impact, and biodegradability. The results indicated that 46% of the
respondents agreed that there is a difference between the alternative facemask and the

facemask containing plastic polymers, while 32% remained undecided, and 16% expressed a

contrary opinion.

In recent study of Carag (2021) face masks produced from pseudo stem fiber are

economical because they help farmers create more jobs and environmentally good because

they may reduce rising COVID-19 PPE waste. Economically both responses are in favor of

making the most of masks produced from banana pseudo stems because they are both

affordable and environmentally friendly. Polymers components frequently found in plastics

can be replaced with natural composite fiber derived from banana pseudo stems (Carag,

2021). Banana pseudo stem masks have the potential to be an alternative face mask. As stated

by Carag 2021, it is cheaper than usual surgical masks, more environmentally friendly as the

materials are compostable, and with its strong fiber, it can substantially protect us from the

virus.
Conclusion

The results of this study go into detail and demonstrate the banana pseudo

stem's substantial potential as a substitute facemask in relation to the marketability and

distinction from traditional facemask containing plastic polymer. Thus, the alternative

facemask made of banana pseudo stem offers several positive attributes, including

marketability and the difference of banana pseudo stem over the traditional facemask.
 REFERENCES

Aguilar, J., Cacando, A., De Leon, A., Fararen, L., Menchaca, J., Samaco, M., Santos, R.,
Villamor, S., Ojeda, A., & Fararen, F. (2021, July 7 to 9). Development of
Biodegradable Facial Mask Using Pseudo-Stem Fiber Filters: assessing Its Air
Permeability, Water Absorbency and Repellency. https://www.google.com/url?
q=https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-contents/uploads/pdf/conference/research-congress-
proceedings/2021/FNH-
02.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjAvWv5vT9ahWPpIYBHVXIDloQFnoECAKQAg&u
sg=AOvVaw0fTN9mKcvA-aU29AGtH6u

Carag, J. A. (2021). Banana Pseudo-Stem Face mask as Post-Pandemic Future Business

Venture. Volume 5 Issue 6. IRE Journals.
https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1703031.pdf

Cuison, R. R., Hernandez, L. S, J., Pascual, S, T., Santiago, J, B., Villarin, K, J., Villatema,
A, J., & Francisco, C, D. (2021, April 4). Banana Pseudo-Stem Fiber: A Sustainable
Face Mask.https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ijeas.org/wpcontent/uploads/
2021/4/
IJAMR210445.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjYleiku5LAhWXmFYBHT_ZCnQFnoEC
AkQAg&usg=AOvVaw12awV8b7dD6dyTvTEvIPEO

Davies, A., Thompson, K. A., Giri, K., Kafatos, G., Walker, J., & Bennet, A. (2013, May 22).
Testing the Efficiency of Homemade Mask: Would They Protect in an Influenza
Pandemic? https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fdmp.2013.2013.43

Googles Maps 2023

https://www.google.com/maps/place/MAKILALA+HIGH+SCHOOL/@6.9640948,12
5.772118,374m/data=!3m1!1e3!46!3m5!
1s0x32f8f87ea590835b:0xdde342511185b0ad!8m2!3d6.964187!4d125.0780536!16s
%2Fg%2F11cs01rtlq!5m1!1e4?entry=ttu

Li, A., Sathishkumar, P., Selahuddeen M., Abdullah F. (2022, June 27). Adverse
environmental effects of disposable face masks due to the excess usage. Retrieved
September 1,2022, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9233961/#:~:text=The%20multiple
%20plastic%20fibers%20content,et%20al.%2C%202021

Li, K., Fu, S., Zhan, H., Zhan, Y., & Lucia, L, A. (2010). ANALYSIS OF THE CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION AND MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF BANANAPSEUDO-
STEM.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lucian-Lucia/publication/41847123_Analysis_o
f_the_chemical_composition_and_morphological_structure_of_banana_pseudo-
stem/links/09e41505794527d20800000/Analysis-of-the-chemical-composition-and-
morphological-structure-of-banana-pseudo-stem.pdf
Makati Medical Center. (2022). Help the Environment Proper Disposal of Used Face Masks.
Makati Medical Center. https: www.makatimed.net.ph/blogs/help-the-environment-
with-proper-disposal-of-used-face-mask

Nuesca, C. R. & Baodilla, Y. P. (2022). SPARKLE: Face Mask of Hope Made of Banana
Pseudo-Stem. https://www.studocu.com/en-us/document/bently-university/human-
inheritance/sparkle-face-mask-of-hope-made-of-banana-pseudo-stem/27192881

Saliu F., Veronelli M., Raguso C., Barana D., Galli P., Lasagni M., The release process of
microfibers: from surgical face masks into the marine environment. Environ. Adv.
2021;4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2021.100042
 Appendix A

The Process

Banana Pseudo Stem as an Alternative Facemask

 Appendix B

Sample Survey Questionnaire

 Appendix C

Parent Consent of the Respondents

 Appendix D

Tables and Data from the Analytical Tool

Statistics
Environment Health Marketability Difference Prevention
Valid 50 50 50 50 40
N
Missing 0 0 0 0 10

Marketability
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Disagree 2 4.0 4.0 4.0
Undecided 11 22.0 22.0 26.0
Valid Agree 26 52.0 52.0 78.0
Strongly Agree 11 22.0 22.0 100.0

Total 50 100.0 100.0

Difference
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
8 16.0 16.0 16.0
Strongly Disagree
Disagree 3 6.0 6.0 22.0
Valid Undecided 16 32.0 32.0 54.0
Agree 13 26.0 26.0 80.0
Strongly Agree 10 20.0 20.0 100.0
Total 50 100.0 100.0