Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

LIKHA – PROJECT PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

(1) PROJECT PROFILE

Project Title:
 “DRAGON FRUIT PEEL FIBER IN PRODUCTION OF WEAVING
THREAD”
Names of Project Proponents:
 SAMANTHA ISABEL CHAVEZ
 IRA JADE PINONGCOS
 SOFIA BERIDO
School: General Mariano Alvarez Technical High School
Division: Cavite
Grade Level: Grade 10
Project Duration (number of months): 6 Months
Emails:
 samanthaisabelchavez7@gmail.com
 sofiaberido4@gmail.com
 irajadepinongcosiii@gmail.com
Contact Number:
 09927640709
 09981870057
 09262830854

(2) CATEGORY OF RESEARCH (4) THEME

_____ Physical Science _____ Food Safety
_____ Life Science _____ Water Conservation
_____ Robotics and Intelligent _____ Renewable Energy
Machines _____ Cyber Security
_____ Mathematics and _____ Traffic/ Road Congestion
Computational Sciences _____ Health
_____ Disaster Mitigation
(3) _____ Agriculture and Environment
_____ Individual _____ Others (please specify)
_____ Team

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

(5) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (not to exceed 200 words)

The research project proposal is intended to introduce a new product

to the market. As well as to reduce organic waste production and innovate
waste materials into a new and marketable product. Researchers aim to
generate a new source of weaving thread using the fiber of fruit peel waste,
more specifically, Dragon Fruit peel fiber. The output from said research is
expected to help the local government in proper waste management by
reducing organic wastes. It also intends to manufacture more affordable
weaving threads with the help of proper partnerships with the local
government and other stakeholders. Researchers will openly pursue further
development of the project in the future once it succeeds.

(6) INTRODUCTION

Waste management is a constant issue our world continues to face.

Years and decades have passed and we managed to come up with several
inventions, innovations, and concepts to help with the burden of this problem.
The Philippines itself generates over 21 million metric tons of garbage
every year with about 52 percent to 58 percent categorized as biodegradable
according to a study conducted in 2019 by the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR). And with the country’s rich tropical lands, it
is one of the biggest fruit manufacturers to its neighboring countries. Thus,
making fruits, tropical fruits in particular, indigenously and widely produced
all over the country.
Selenicereus Undatus, locally known as Dragon Fruit, containing high
amounts of fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals, as well
as healthy fatty acids and probiotics. And in this research, researchers aim to
take advantage of these properties of the Dragon Fruit, more specifically, its
high fiber content. The peel of a red Dragon Fruit offers a generous amount of
fiber which is about 69.3 percent.
The researchers strive to introduce Dragon Fruit Peel Fiber in the
production of weaving thread, using its peel which usually goes to waste. The
research proposal gives solution to lessen organic waste production and
additionally, introduce Dragon Fruit Peel Fiber as a source of thread material
to the market.

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

(6.1) RATIONALE/SIGNIFICANCE

This project is developed to analyze the use of Dragon Fruit peel fiber
in the production of weaving thread. The proposed project aims to reduce
organic waste production of the country as well as to provide and create a new
and innovative source of thread fibers.
Selenicereus Undatus or Dragon Fruit in simpler terms, is an
indigenous fruit to the province of Cavite. Dragon Fruit farms are found all
over the province. It is easily accessible in the region and widely enjoyed by
locals and tourists alike. The proposed research project aims to make use of
the local fruit’s offered properties. Innovating and utilizing its peel that
commonly goes to waste, researchers intend to develop an eco-friendly product
manufactured to take advantage of local resources. Furthermore, the product
output of the research resolves to promote culture and heritage of Filipino
weavers all over the country. Giving spotlight to local Filipino customs,
advocating local craftsmanship, and local artforms.

By using Dragon Fruit peel fiber, the project uses not only locally
sourced materials, but also utilizes excess waste from said material. Aiming to
help in proper waste management and the reduction of organic waste
production by utilizing waste materials into an innovative and marketable
product. In addition, it also seeks to contribute to the reduction of artificial
fibers such as rayon, nylon, acrylic, and others that the production is known
to be incredibly impactful to the ever so alarming global warming we are facing.
Aiming to reduce and eliminate these environmentally harmful products in the
market by introducing a more efficient and organically sourced fiber in the
production of weaving thread.
The research proposal proves to be a low-cost project beneficial to the
environment and the community, so far as to even foresee potential livelihood
and income generating opportunities with proper communication and
partnership with the local government.
(6.2)SCIENTIFIC BASIS/THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK/MATHEMATICAL
THEORY INVOLVE

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

The “Dragon Fruit Peel Fiber in Production of Weaving Thread”

project aims to use these Dragon Fruits skins from our province, the province
of Cavite, to provide a product that benefits not only the consumers but also
the planet. Since this fruit is well known in the province, we have been
searching for ways to turn these organic wastes into innovative and useful
products by processing these organic wastes into a weaving thread. This
research will not only help reduce organic wastes but will also benefit local
weavers across the country. We encourage the public to use organic wastes to
save money and create new things that will help to reduce the use of man-
made synthetic fibers that are made up of chemicals which are harmful to
people's health. Especially to the elderly, children, newborns, pregnant women,
and sick people.

(6.3) OBJECTIVES

General: The general objective of the study is to produce weaving threads from
Dragon Fruit peel fiber.

Specific: The project specifically aims to:

1. help to reduce the amount of organic waste, specifically the Dragon Fruit
peel by producing weaving thread;

2. reduce artificial and environmentally harmful fibers in the market by

providing affordable and organic weaving thread fibers as an alternative;

3. promote local tradition, culture, and heritage of local weavers; and

4. create possible income generating projects with the final output with proper
partnership and communication with the local government.

(7) REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

A lot of existing research has been conducted regarding fruit fibers and
their ability to produce threads. Authors used different types of material source
including leaves, stems, fruit peels, and fruits itself of various types.
One significant thing though is the common use of tropical fruits in these
studies, whether it be the use of its leaves, stem or peel.
The research project proposal itself uses Selenicereus Undatus, locally
known as Dragon Fruit, that has the first commercial variety grown in
Philippines traced back in the farm of a Taiwanese businessman named Mr.
Alex Liton in Tambong Balagbag in Indang Cavite. (Pascua, 2014)

Many organic materials are widely available to be utilized into fiber

products that are more eco-friendly and economical than existing artificial
fibers that are very impactful to waste pollution. The production of weaving
thread fibers has been upgraded in this research by using organic waste
materials that prove to be more beneficial to our environment. It added virtue
into the manufacturing of thread fibers. The production uses utilized Dragon
Fruit peel waste to reduce artificial fibers present in the market, reduce organic
waste production, and deliver more cost-efficient and ecological product to the
market. The product output is sure to be organic and free of harmful
chemicals, strong and durable to be used in thread looming and fabric
weaving. Sourced from organic waste, it is also an inexpensive project requiring
easily available tools and mostly having manual work rather than needing
expensive equipment.
Production of weaving thread has also been carried out using tree
leaves such as the Kapok Tree. Extracting its fibers then proceeding to create
threads out of it. The most famous, however, is the use of Pineapple leaves to
produce the renowned Pinya Fibers. Usually used as an efficient thread fiber
to weave Filipino Customary clothing. Aside from mentioned existing plant
fiber extraction to be used as thread, the recent studies have also been
conducted on the fibers of the Banana pseudo stem. Utilizing them into
different projects such as paper and weaving threads.
Aforementioned studies include organic materials that have high
fiber contents which makes them suitable for fiber extraction and thread
production.

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

(8) METHODOLOGY
MATERIALS
Dragon Fruit peel will be the primary material for the execution of the
research project. Using locally sourced Dragon Fruits from nearby farms, fiber
would be extracted from their organic waste i.e. their peels. That will then be
turned into weaving threads.

METHODS
The research uses methods such as soaking and hand-scraping of the
Dragon Fruit peel to extract the fiber. It will be soaked for several days to soften
it and then would be proceeded to be hand-scraped to remove the outer layer
of the peel and expose the fibers. Once extracted, the fibers will then be
gathered to undergo degumming in running water and continue to be dried
under the sun after. After drying, gathered fibers would then be knotted by the
end to create a long continuous thread to be prepared for warping.

OUTLINE DESCRIPTION
Dragon Fruit peel weaving thread fiber is a product that offers the smart
utilization of organic waste material to a marketable product. It is a product
ethically sourced and produced from waste material that aims to eliminate
existing artificial fibers in the market that are known to be harmful to the
environment. Inexpensive and requiring minimal work to be produced, the
product is cost-efficient aimed to be easily attainable to common folk providing
organic weaving thread fiber that is non-toxic and of high quality to the
masses.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The Input-Process and Output (IPO) diagram (Figure 1) of the product

made it easier to the researchers to accomplish the project. Specifically the
methods and process used to develop the product output. For the input phase,
it shows that the researchers surfed through various resource materials via
the internet and brainstormed to conceptualize the project. Identifying
different physical properties to be utilized and coursing through different ways
to be able to utilize them.

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

Next, is the Process Phase. Preparation of the Dragon Fruit Peel to extract
the fibers from by gathering and soaking them. Along with the Fiber extraction
itself, from scraping to washing and drying, to at last warping the Fibers.
And finally, the output phase, that contains the prototype product output
of the research.

PROCEDURES:
 Preparation
 Collection of Dragon Fruit peels
 Soaking of the peel in water
 Extracting of fiber by scraping Dragon Fruit peel
 Washing fiber obtained through running water
 Gathering and sun drying of fiber
 Knotting of fiber to create long continuous thread
 Warping/spinning of thread to prepare for looming

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1) DATA GATHERING 1) EXTRACTION

 Brainstorming/  Preparation of
Group Discussion Dragon Fruit peel for
 Researching from fiber extraction. Weaving thread
the internet and other  Scraping of peel to from Dragon
extract fiber
resource materials. Fruit peel fibers
 Gathering and
preparation of
2) PROCUREMENT extracted fibers for
OF MATERIALS warping
 Dragon Fruit peels  Warping fibers
 Tools for fiber
extraction

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

Figure 1. IPO used in developing the weaving thread fiber using Dragon Fruit peel

(9) EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS

The research project is expected to produce an economic and

ecological weaving thread developed from Dragon Fruit peel fiber that would
widely be available to the local markets and highly affordable for local-
everyday-consumers. It would be economical as it is developed and utilized
from organic waste materials that requires zero-cost and ecological as it
introduces an alternative way of managing organic waste and innovating new
products from it. The product outcome is also expected to promote local
traditions, cultures and heritage of local Filipino weavers.
(10) WORKPLAN AND TARGET DELIVERIES

“DRAGON FRUIT PEEL FIBER IN PRODUCTION OF WEAVING THREAD

WORKPLAN”

TARGET MONTHS ACTION REMARKS

ACTIVITIES TAKEN
SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB.

1 Submission and
presentation of
project research
proposal.
2 Communication
with the partner
LGU, DOST
laboratories, and

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

other
stakeholders.
3 Identify other
needed materials,
machineries, and
equipment for the
project.
4 Procurement of
raw materials,
tools, and
equipment for the
project.

5 Preparation of
materials, tools,
and equipment to
be used.

6 Start of fiber
extraction from
raw materials.

7 Gathering and
warping of
extracted fibers.

8 Sending to
laboratories for
experimental
trials.

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

9 Present and
communicate the
results of the
research project.

(11) REFERENCES

Paula Marcela Duque Jaramillo, Jürgen Andreaus, Geraldo Pereira de Souza

Neto, Carlos Frederico de Souza Castro & Edivaldo Ximenes Ferreira
Filho (2015) The characterization of a pectin-degrading enzyme
from Aspergillus oryzae grown on passion fruit peel as the carbon source and
the evaluation of its potential for industrial applications, Biocatalysis and
Biotransformation, 33:5-6, 310-322, DOI: 10.3109/10242422.2016.1168817

Afam I. O. Jideani, Tonna A. Anyasi, eds. Banana Nutrition - Function and

Processing Kinetics (London: IntechOpen, 2020). 10.5772/intechopen.76736

Rohit K, Dixit S. A Review - Future Aspect of Natural Fiber Reinforced

Composite. Polymers from Renewable Resources. 2016;7(2):43-59.
doi:10.1177/204124791600700202

Tanvi Saxena, V.K. Chawla.Banana leaf fiber-based green composite: An

explicit review report,Materials Today: Proceedings,Volume 46, Part
15,(2021),Pages 6618-6624,ISSN 2214-
7853,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.099.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785321029953)

Didem Albayrak, Yasemin Seki, Gonca Balcı Kılıç, Serhan Koktas, Özgür Yasin
Keskin, Ramazan Dalmış, Cihan Karademir. (2022) Exploration of alternative
cellulosic natural fiber from the stem of Malva Slyvestris. Journal of Natural
Fibers 0:0, pages 1-18.

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF CAVITE PROVINCE

Adam, A., Yusof, Y. & Yahya, A. 2016. Extraction Of Pineapple Leaf Fibre:
Josapine And Moris. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 11, 161-
165.

Cavite Capitol Compound, Brgy. Luciano, Trece Martires City, Cavite

(046) 419-0014, 419-1286, 412-0349, 419-1739, 412-0849
www.depedcavite.com.ph
deped.cavite@deped.gov.ph