Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region XII
Division of Sultan Kudarat
BAMBAD NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Bambad, Isulan Sultan Kudarat

Banana (Pseudo-Stem) as Eco-Friendly

Alternative to Disposable Face Mask

A Research Proposal Presented By:

Winer,Karleth Angel O.

Catalan,Ronnel S.

Barretto, Ezekiel Ronel B.

Researchers

A Research Proposal Submitted to:

Emely L. Lapinas

Research Adviser

January 2021
 Introduction

A. Background of the Study

Our world today change due to Covid 19 as it brought
various negative impact to the world. This pneumonia-like disease
has launched a global economic tsunami and disruption to our
lives that was later on declared as a pandemic.During the previous
years, the world has been battling plastic pollution. Furthermore,
the pandemic has contributed to this problem because of the
sudden demand and use of disposable face masks, gloves, and
other equipment to ensure everyone’s safety against the virus.
Due to this, thousands of synthetic masks will only pile up and take
so long to decompose.According to UN News 2020, disposable
face mask will help to fight this covid 19 but it can also bring
various negative impact to our environment which eco-friendly
replacement must be promoted.

Banana plants belong to the family of Musaceae that

typically grow in tropical and subtropical countries like Philippines
of South-east Asia. It is the most important fruit crop in the country
that the Philippines is known as the second largest banana
exporter in the world producing approximately 3.5 million metric
tons of bananas annually.The wide availability of the banana
pseudo-stem transform them into potential source of raw
material.With that the researcher think about a solution to lessen
the mass pollution by creating an eco-friendly face mask out of
banana pseudo-stem.

The fibre from banana stem where synthesized through

various methods such as preparatory treatment by hand stripping
then grinding it through a mixer, then subject to water afterwards.
The soaked pile will be placed under sunlight. Face masks are
usually made with 3 layers - an inner, outer, and filter layer.And
compile the layers of the biomasks then sew it all together with the
ear-loop. Masks made from banana pseudo-stems will be present
to filtration efficiency tests that focused on air permeability, water
absorbency, and water repellency. In this study there would be 10
selected individuals as our respondents for our data gathering. The
answers that the participants would provide will be then appraised
and will look into by using the coding process and theme
analysis.The results collected from the participants revealed the
problems and issues being encountered when people are using
face masks during the CoVid-19 pandemic.

B. Statement of the problem

This study will be conducted to test the feasibility of banana pseudo-stem as

Eco-Friendly Alternative to Disposable Face Mask

Specifically, this research study will sought to answer the following

questions:

1) Does the banana fiber filters can provide extra comfort in terms of
breathability?
2) What are the materials and processes in doing a sustainable or eco-
friendly face mask?
3) Does this eco-friendly face mask has the ability to protect against inhaled
particles and also resist fluid?
4) If theirs side effects upon using the face mask like itchiness,allergies etc.
5) Can the sustainable face mask be measured in terms of?
1.1. Acceptability
1.2. Durability
1.3. Efficiency
6) Does the pseudo-stem mask be more affordable than disposable face
mask?
7) What can the respondents recommend to improve the proposed
sustainable face mask?

C. Hypothesis
H0. There is no significant difference between the acceptability,
durability, efficiency of banana pseudo-stem fiber mask and disposable
face mask.
H1. There is significant difference between the acceptability,
 durability, efficiency of banana pseudo-stem fiber mask and disposable
face mask.

D. Significance of the study

Face masks, gloves, and wipes are made from multiple plastic fibers,

primarily polypropylene, that will remain in the environment for decades,

possibly centuries, fragmenting into smaller and smaller microplastics and

nanoplastics.A year ago, the idea that disposable face masks could become

global environmental pollutants,aside from that, mass pollution does not only

affect the human beings but also causes damage to animals habitat..

As these disposable masks make their way into the environment, the

researchers think about a solution on how to lessen the mass pollution by
creating an eco-friendly face mask out of banana pseudo-stem.

This study have a big benefits to the environment as a sustainable face

mask supports a future of decreased waste, outstanding health results,
broader job growth, and healthier and safer surroundings for both people and
nature. Amid the pandemic, pseudo-stem fiber has a potential to be an
alternative to plastic in making different personal protective equipment.

And this study can also help the researcher to improve their knowledge
about some alternative components in making an environmental friendly face
mask,

E. Scope and Delimitations

This study aims to determine the Banana (Pseudo-Stem) as a Eco-

Friendly Alternative to Disposable Face Mask.This study is a Pre-
experimental research where groups are observed for when treatment is done
as its goal is to determine if there will be changes made from its initial
instance.In this sampling technique, the researcher is the one who is in
charge in selecting who their respondents are which there would be 10
individuals whom are going to be the respondants , hence, their judgement
in.– banana pseudo-stem fiber as a sustainable face mask.
This study is limited only in the determination of Banana (Pseudo-
Stem) as a Eco-Friendly Alternative to Disposable Face Mask.It will be
conducted in the Urban Areas of the town of Bambad and Kolambog Isulan
Sultan Kudarat.

F.Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Banana (Pseudo-Stem)
concentration

 Time of drying or hours

of exposure under the
sun.
Quality of the
 Layers of the mask.
 Material of banana
Face mask
Banana (Pseudo-
Stem)
 Size of making mould
frame
G.Definition of Terms

For better understanding of the study, certain important terms used

were given their conceptual and operational meanings.

 Eco-Friendly- items and materials are defined as being not

environmentally harmful.
 Fluid- liquid discharge from nasal and mouth.
 Mass pollution- huge dumping of waste consuming massive space and
contributing environmental hazardous.
 Microplastics- small plastic pieces which can be harmful to our ocean
and aquatic life.
 Musaceae- family of flowering plants and is native to the topics of Africa
and Asia.
 Polypropylene- uses range from plastic packaging, plastic parts for
machinery and equipment and even fibres and textiles.
  Pseudo-Stem- the part of the banana plant that looks like trunk.
 Respondents - individuals who complete the survey or interview for the
researcher.
 Sampling technique- the name or other identification of the specific
process by which the entities of the sample have been selected.

Research Methodology

Gathering of materials

Determination of materials
 Determination and definition of precise procedure

Theoretical differentiation of research questions for

survey interview

Determination of analysis units (coding,context or

evaluation units)

Compilation of findings and interpretation in lined with

defined problem

Determination of materials

Determination of materials

 Banana-pseudo-stem

-The main variable for this study

 25ml Hydroxide Solution
-To help soften the banana pseudo-stem.
 Boiling water
-To sanitize and and soften also the banana pseudo-stem.
 Blender
-To crush the pseudo-stem
 Strainer
-To separate its flesh to its sap
 Paper making mould frame
-To help the pseudo-stem to mould
 Cauldron
-To boil the water
Determination and definition of precise procedure

The banana pseudo-stem will be collected from one of the researchers

household around the area of Kolambog Isulan Sultan Kudarat. The Banana
Stem will be cut in pieces specifically cube or squares.And put 2kg of
chopped banana fiber and 1 cup of sodium hydroxide.Boil the mixture for
about 20 mins in medium heat. Preferably like a simmer. After 20 mins your
mixture should look like soft banana tissues.Then rinse the mixture with water
for 2 to 3 times before feeling the texture. Rinsing the water would wash off
the chemical that was added for you to not burn your skin After rinsing,
proceed to blend the mixture to become puree or paste looking. Blend until
you don’t see any more solid particle.And get a sieve or a mold and deckle,
basin or any tub and put a ratio of 1:1 of the fiber and water. Start sieving your
fabric for the mask Put and let it dry under the direct sunlight as much as
possible drying will depend how thick or how thin the solution you are going to
dry.: Remove the fabric from the sieve and proceed to cutting, layering, and
designing the mask.The finished product would be similar to a k95 face mask.

Theoretical differentiation of research questions for survey

interview
Survey interview questions are used as a tool to gather data. When an
interviewer, who coordinates the process of the conversation and asks
questions and an interviewee, who responds to those questions are involved it
is often referred as a survey interview.
The interview can be conducted face to-face, or in some cases over
the phone.The study also makes use of the Code and context unit analysis in
order to process the gathered data. Thematic analysis is A tool for
systematically defining, organizing, and providing insight into patterns of
significance through a data set.The answer of the participants revolves
around these research questions for interview to be conducted.

 The fact that surgical face masks are causing an allergic reaction to those
people who have sensitive skin in which they had experience breakouts or
acne.
 Good alternative for people who are less fortunate since banana trees
here in the Philippines are a lot and people can harvest it to make the
product making it more known for others to see and try it.
 Environment friendly product.
 Factors tackling durability
 Means of blocking the virus by the material used

Determination of analysis units

(coding,context or evaluation units)

Coding-the coding unit is the smallest part of the material that can be
analyzed.
Context-contexts are specified as a kind of "sampling unit" consisting of
a fixed number of words,
Evaluation Unit -develops and conducts evaluations – on its own or in
partnership with other experts and partners.

Compilation of findings and interpretation in lined with

defined problem
I. Problems and Issues being encountered in using surgical face masks
A. Skin Irritations
B. comfort in terms of breathability
C. Size
II. Factors of a sustainable face mask
A. factors tackling Acceptability
B. factors tackling durability
C. factors tackling efficiency

Workplan
Research goal January 2022
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Finalize Research
Proposal and submit to
the adviser for
consulting
Gathering of materials

To conduct procedure
on how to create face
mask ou of banana
pseudo-stem
To conduct
research questions for
survey interview to
selected
individuals(respondents)

Discussion forum
questions about the
response of forum titled:
“the problem is"
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DOI: 10.1007/s11783-021-1413-7