ABSTRACT
As the paper industry seeks more sustainable alternatives to wood pulp, agricultural
waste materials like banana plants are gaining attention. This study compares banana stem fiber
and banana pseudo-stem fiber to evaluate their potential as raw materials for paper production.
Both are by-products of banana cultivation, making them abundant and environmentally
friendly sources of fiber.
The research involved analyzing key properties of each fiber type, including
fiber length, diameter, cellulose and lignin content, and how they perform during pulping and
papermaking. The results showed that fibers from the pseudo-stem generally had a higher
cellulose content and longer fibers, leading to stronger and more flexible paper. In contrast, stem
fibers contained more lignin and produced paper with slightly lower mechanical strength.
Overall, while both fibers proved suitable for making paper, the banana pseudo-stem
offered better quality in terms of paper strength and texture. This suggests it may be the more
promising option for sustainable paper production. Using these plant residues not only helps
reduce waste but also provides an eco-friendly alternative to cutting down trees for pulp.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter I. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 3
Rationale of the Study ..........................................................................................
4 Background of the Study ....................................................................................
6 Statement of the
Problem ...................................................................................... 8
Objectives ............................................................................................................. 8
Specific Objectives ...............................................................................................
8
Variables ................................................................................................................
8 Hypothesis.............................................................................................................
9 Relationship between the
variables ....................................................................... 9
Significance of the Study .................................................................................... 10
Chapter II ........................................................................................................................ 11
Review of Related Studies and Literature .......................................................... 11
Theories and Facts .............................................................................................. 11
Related Studies.................................................................................................... 12
The Research Methodology ................................................................................
18
Design .................................................................................................................
18 The Flow of the Study.........................................................................................
18
Procedures ...........................................................................................................
20
A. Gathering of materials................................................................................... 20
B. Similarities of the effectiveness between Banana stem and Pseudo stem as
analternative raw material for paper
productionl…………………………………………………….22
C. Gathering data on the differences between Banana stem fiber and Pseudo
stem………………………………………………………………………..22
Chapter III ....................................................................................................................... 27
Results and Discussion ....................................................................................... 27
Statistics ..............................................................................................................
29
Conclusion ..........................................................................................................
39
Recommendation ................................................................................................ 40
References
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
The global demand for paper continues to rise, placing increasing pressure on forest
resources and contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation. Traditional paper
production relies heavily on wood pulp, which is both resource-intensive and unsustainable in
the long term. This has led to a growing interest in alternative, renewable, and eco-friendly raw
materials for pulp and paper manufacturing.
Banana cultivation, widely practiced in tropical and subtropical regions, generates large
quantities of agricultural waste—particularly in the form of stems and pseudo-stems that are
often discarded after fruit harvesting. These plant parts are rich in lignocellulosic fibers, making
them a promising source of raw material for paper production.
This study seeks to explore and compare the fiber characteristics and paper-making
potential of banana stem fiber and banana pseudo-stem fiber. By identifying which of these
waste materials provides better quality pulp and paper, the research aims to promote sustainable
practices in both agriculture and the paper industry. Utilizing banana plant residues not only
helps reduce environmental pollution but also adds economic value to agricultural by-products
that would otherwise go to waste.
Ultimately, this study supports the development of greener alternatives in paper
production, contributing to resource conservation and sustainable waste management.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The global paper industry heavily depends on wood pulp, leading to deforestation,
energy-intensive processing, and substantial environmental degradation. In response to these
challenges, researchers and environmental advocates have been exploring alternative sources of
fiber for papermaking. Among the most promising are agricultural residues and non-wood
materials, which are not only renewable but also help reduce waste and the carbon footprint of
paper production. One such underutilized agricultural byproduct is the banana plant, which
yields a significant amount of biomass after harvesting, most of which is discarded or left to rot.
Banana plants, commonly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, produce massive
quantities of waste in the form of stems and pseudostems once fruiting is complete. The banana
stem (which includes the central stalk) and the pseudostem (the tightly wrapped layers of leaf
sheaths) are rich in fibrous material, making them potential candidates for pulping and
papermaking. Unlike wood, these parts of the banana plant grow rapidly and are abundantly
available after each harvest cycle, making them an attractive, sustainable raw material. However,
despite their similar origins, the stem and pseudostem differ in fiber characteristics, chemical
composition, and papermaking properties—warranting a closer comparative investigation.
Research has shown that banana stem fibers are high in cellulose content and can yield
strong, dense paper when processed under optimized conditions. For example, studies in Uganda
and India have demonstrated the successful production of writing and printing paper using
banana stem pulp, with mechanical strength and brightness suitable for practical applications.
Furthermore, the stem fibers have been improved when blended with other agricultural residues
such as pineapple leaf and rice straw. However, banana stem pulp alone may sometimes fall
short in strength and bonding properties, necessitating chemical or physical enhancements to
achieve commercial-grade paper.
On the other hand, the banana pseudostem has also been studied for its high
lignocellulosic content and fiber length, which are essential traits for good papermaking. It has
shown promising results in terms of pulp yield and mechanical performance, especially when
subjected to treatments such as natural fermentation, starch addition, or mechanical
homogenization. Researchers have found that pseudostem fibers can be extracted using chemical
or alkaline processes, and when properly treated, they can produce paper with acceptable tensile
strength and tear resistance. However, issues such as surface roughness, low brightness, and poor
optical quality in untreated pseudostem paper highlight the need for processing improvements.
In conclusion, both banana stem and pseudostem present viable, eco-friendly alternatives
to wood pulp for paper production. While the stem offers high cellulose content and good
density, the pseudostem shows better structural fiber organization and resilience when enhanced
with proper treatment. A comparative study between these two materials is essential to determine
which part of the banana plant offers greater efficiency, strength, cost-effectiveness, and
environmental sustainability in papermaking. Such research could pave the way for the
commercialization of banana-based paper and contribute to sustainable agricultural waste
management practices.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Objectives
General Objective:
To compare the suitability of banana stem and pseudostem as alternative raw materials for
sustainable paper production in terms of fiber quality, pulp yield, and paper properties.
Specific Objectives:
1. To extract fibers from banana stem and banana pseudostem using appropriate mechanical
and/or chemical pulping methods.
2. To evaluate and compare the physical and chemical properties** (e.g., cellulose content,
lignin content, fiber length) of the extracted fibers from banana stem and pseudostem.
3. To produce paper sheets from both types of fibers and assess their mechanical properties,
including tensile strength, tear resistance.
4. To determine the pulp yield and paper quality from both banana stem and pseudostem
under similar processing conditions.
5. To analyze the economic and environmental implications of using banana stem and
pseudostem as alternative sources of fiber for paper production.
VARIABLES
Independent Variable:
The primary independent variable in this study is the type of raw material used for paper
production, specifically comparing fibers extracted from the banana stem and the banana
pseudostem.
Dependent Variable: The measured properties of the paper produced from banana stem and
Pseudostem.
Controlled Variables:
• Pulping Method
• Processing Conditions
• Chemical Concentrations
• Cooking time and Temperature
• Banana Type
• Size of the molder
Hypothesis:
Ho1: Banana stem fiber can’t beusedas an alternative raw material for paper production.
Ho2: Bananastem fiber and Pseudostem have the same quality of paper and are both can
be used as an alternative raw material for paper production.
Relationship between the variables
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Its potential to contribute to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices within
the paper manufacturing industry. Traditionally, paper production relies heavily on wood pulp,
which contributes to large-scale deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and significant carbon
emissions. By exploring alternative raw materials such as banana stem and pseudostem fibers,
this research offers a promising solution to reduce the environmental impact associated with
conventional paper production. Utilizing banana agricultural residues not only helps in
preserving forest resources but also encourages the sustainable management of natural resources,
aligning with global efforts toward environmental conservation.
From an economic perspective, this study could provide valuable insights into the
utilization of banana plant waste, which is often discarded or burned, leading to air pollution and
wasted biomass. By identifying the fiber characteristics and paper-making potential of banana
stems and pseudostems, the research promotes the conversion of agricultural waste into
commercially valuable products. This creates new economic opportunities for farmers, paper
manufacturers, and rural communities involved in banana cultivation. The development of
banana-based paper products could also lead to cost savings in raw materials and potentially
open new markets for eco-friendly and specialty papers, thereby fostering rural entrepreneurship
and sustainable livelihoods.
Furthermore, the study’s findings may enhance the technological understanding of non-
wood fiber pulping and paper production, providing a foundation for further research and
development in this field. By comparing the quality, yield, and mechanical properties of paper
made from banana stem and pseudostem fibers, manufacturers can make informed decisions on
which raw materials to utilize or blend to optimize paper performance and production efficiency.
This can encourage innovation in green manufacturing processes and promote the
adoption of cleaner production technologies.
Socially, the study supports community empowerment by encouraging waste utilization
and sustainable agriculture practices. It aligns with the principles of the circular economy, where
waste materials are repurposed rather than discarded, reducing environmental pollution and
promoting resource efficiency. Additionally, the use of locally available raw materials can
reduce dependence on imported wood pulp, enhancing national self-sufficiency and resilience in
the paper industry.
In summary, this study is significant because it addresses environmental sustainability,
economic development, technological advancement, and social responsibility through the
innovative use of banana plant residues in paper production. Its outcomes could influence policy-
making, industrial practices, and community development initiatives aimed at promoting
sustainable resource use and green industrial growth.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN BANANA STEM
FIBER AND PSEUDO STEM AS AN ALTERNATIVE RAW
MATERIAL FOR PAPER PRODUCTION
Submitted to :
Dr. Florentina Pasajingue
Submitted By:
Crystal Joyce T. Valeriano
Rosha Mae A. Tio
Ma. Luisa B. Tinghil
Queshal Kyle Sagario
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES AND LITERATURE
THEORIES AND FACTS
The comparative study between banana stem fiber and banana pseudostem fiber as
alternative raw materials for paper production is grounded in both theoretical frameworks and
empirical findings that highlight their potential sustainability, mechanical properties, and
cellulose yield, with theories suggesting that non-wood fibers such as those derived from banana
plants can provide an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to traditional wood pulp due to their
high cellulose content, rapid biomass regeneration, and minimal environmental impact, while
factual studies validate that the pseudostem, which is the fibrous, water-rich part of the banana
plant that remains after harvest and forms the false trunk composed of tightly packed leaf
sheaths, contains approximately 60–65% cellulose, 15–20% hemicellulose, and 10–15% lignin,
which is suitable for papermaking due to the ease of pulping and fiber bonding properties,
whereas the banana stem fiber—often referring to fibers extracted from the bark or the outer core
of the stem—also offers high tensile strength and resilience but may vary more in fiber quality
and uniformity due to differences in plant maturity, extraction methods, and environmental
conditions; theoretically, the pseudostem is favored in life cycle assessments and circular
economy models because it is a by-product of banana fruit production that is typically discarded
or composted, thus offering a zero-waste utilization approach, and its use reduces pressure on
forest resources while creating value-added products from agricultural waste; experimental
studies further indicate that mechanical and chemical pulping methods, such as soda pulping or
organosolv techniques, can effectively extract usable pulp from banana pseudostem, yielding
smooth, heavy paper with tensile indices comparable to conventional paper grades, whereas
enzymatic or manual extraction from banana stem fiber may preserve better fiber morphology
but can be labor-intensive and less scalable; furthermore, microscopic analysis and SEM
imaging confirm that pseudostem fibers have desirable characteristics such as moderate fiber
length (1.1– 2.4 mm) and diameter (~20 microns), making them suitable for forming uniform
paper sheets with decent inter-fiber bonding, while some studies reveal that the banana stem
fiber, particularly from older plants or outer layers, can yield coarser fibers with less surface
smoothness and higher bulk, affecting paper quality in terms of brightness, opacity, and
printability; facts also demonstrate that banana pseudostem can be processed into nanocellulose
and microfibrillated fiber, offering high-performance paper materials and biodegradable
packaging solutions, and recent innovations in biosoftening using enzymes like cellulase and
pectinase have shown improvements in fiber flexibility and pulping efficiency, reinforcing
theoretical claims that tailored pre-treatment of pseudostem fiber can optimize its industrial
applicability; in conclusion, both banana stem and pseudostem fibers present viable alternatives
to wood pulp for paper production, but the pseudostem, due to its abundance, favorable
composition, and easier extraction, aligns more closely with sustainable production models and
modern ecological theories advocating for agricultural waste utilization, while ongoing research
continues to refine the processing technologies, economic models, and environmental metrics
that support the wider adoption of banana-based fiber in the paper industry.
