Sustainability of Banana Fiber as an Alternative Key Element in Paper Production

CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This chapter presents the relevant theories, related literature and studies,

conceptual framework, research paradigm and definition of various relevant terms used in

the study.

Relevant Theories

This study will be conceptualized along the following theories: Biotechnology of

Lignocellulose Theory and Practice by Hongzhang Chen (2014), The Theory for the

Tensile Strength of Paper by D.H. Page (1969), and Fundamentals of the beating process:

the theory of the development in pulps of papermaking characteristics by mechanical

treatment by H.W. Emerton (1957).

The first theory that supports this study is the Biotechnology of Lignocellulose

Theory and Practice by Hongzhang Chen. This theory explained the energy stored

substances and the main component of plant cell walls, such as cellulose, hemicellulose,

and lignin are deemed to be crucial in paper making. Chen stated that main component of

plant cell walls is found in its fibers. With this in mind, it is known that both wood and

This study source was downloaded by 100000824034407 from CourseHero.com on 03-18-2024 10:43:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/138833002/Chapter-2-Relevant-Theoriesdocx/
 non-wood plant sources contain fiber that makes it the key component in paper

production.

The backbone of this research is Richard Stanley's Theory, which backs up the

majority of the findings. First, the theory mentioned that the main component of the plant

cell walls that is found in plant fibers is the main material that made paper making

possible. Hence, Biotechnology of Lignocellulose Theory and Practice because banana

fiber contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Additionally, the paper formed in this

study is made from banana fiber from the stems of the plant, which is a huge part of

agricultural waste.

Additionally, The Theory for the Tensile Strength of Paper by D.H. Page. This

theory explained that the cellulosic fibers from both woody and non-woody plant source

is one of the key factors that makes paper making possible. Page revealed that fibers from

non-woody plants, such as the seed hairs and the inner bark layer of certain plants are

said to have greater aspect ratio. Furthermore, it is indicated that the cellulosic fibers'

tubular or roughly rectangular cross-sections tend to flatten as a result of beating, and the

resulting ribbon-like shape and enhanced conformability of the beaten fibers allows for

more bonded area, resulting in higher paper strength.

Page’s Theory for the Tensile Strength of Paper is relevant to this study for he

indicated in his theory that cellulosic fiber is one of the key factors in paper production.

Furthermore, he pointed that fiber strength which is parallel to its length is a key factor to

the paper strength. The banana plant, a non-woody plant which is considered to have high

aspect ratio of cellulosic fiber, is the major variable in this study. As a result, this theory

supports the use of banana fiber as an alternative key component in paper production.

This study source was downloaded by 100000824034407 from CourseHero.com on 03-18-2024 10:43:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/138833002/Chapter-2-Relevant-Theoriesdocx/
 Meanwhile, H.W. Emerton’s Fundamentals of the beating process: the theory

of the development in pulps of papermaking characteristics by mechanical

treatment stated that the beating causes a change in the structure of the pulp fibers. The

beating process is some kind of pounding to the wet fibers as a part of the pulping

process. This led to a greater bonded area of the cellulose within the fiber resulting in an

increase in strength of the formed paper. For that reason, this theory is deemed relevant to

the study.

Emerton’s theory of the beating process delved on the pulping process that is a

step of paper making. Hence, this theory is relevant to the study. This study uses banana

fibers that undergo the beating process before being cooked to loosen the fibers. Since

banana fibers will undergo the beating process, it will be able to increase the strength in

the formed paper.

The three theories: Biotechnology of Lignocellulose Theory and Practice by

Hongzhang Chen, The Theory for the Tensile Strength of Paper by D.H. Page, and

Fundamentals of the beating process: the theory of the development in pulps of

papermaking characteristics by mechanical treatment by H.W. Emerton involved factors

including the banana fiber’s composition and the processes that it undergoes to increase

the quality of the handmade paper. In the theory of Chen, it became clear that banana

fiber can be used as an alternative key component in paper making. To produce this

product, both Page and Emerton’s theories are relevant as it explained the importance of

cellulosic fibers and the beating process in making paper. Furthermore, these two theories

indicated that the composition of the plant fiber and undergoing beating process increases

the strength of paper.

This study source was downloaded by 100000824034407 from CourseHero.com on 03-18-2024 10:43:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/138833002/Chapter-2-Relevant-Theoriesdocx/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)