Sweet Corn (Zea mays) Husks as a Substitute in Producing Fiber Paper

T.A. Abad, B. Ayson, N.M. Barreto, J.M. Dela Torre, R. De Leon, E.A. Madarang, A.J.
Santos, A.F. Vasquez

1. INTRODUCTION streets and landfills in different bodies of

The threat of deforestation and water.
environmental calamities has led to The Philippines is an agricultural country
extensive research into the suitability of filled with crops such as corn. Sweet corn
several agricultural waste materials for (Zea mays) is a major crop in the
papermaking and production. The majority Philippines that generates large amounts of
of the people worldwide use paper for agricultural residues. An estimated amount
various purposes and tasks. Since paper is of 4 million tons of grain maize and 0.96
an important material in an individual's million maize cobs are produced yearly in
everyday life, nearly 3.5 billion to 7 billion the Philippines (Zafar, 2019). But most of
trees are cut down per year to produce the time corn husks are thrown resulting in
non-recycled paper (Rainforest Action an additional mass of the waste. Instead of
Network, 2017). Three countries have the throwing the corn husks away, utilizing it
largest paper production namely China, to produce fiber papers and reducing
United States, and Japan. In addition to wastes from the trash in different places
that, these three countries produce more and landfills in bodies of water is an
than half of the total paper production alternative to better waste management
worldwide. Meanwhile, Germany and the and provide environmental sustainability
United States are the leading importers and in the Philippines.
exporters of paper (Garside, 2019). The purpose of this study is to understand
Although in the Philippines, the paper if corn husks are feasible alternatives for
industry plays a huge role in the producing paper along with three different
industrialization of the country, providing types of tests, specifically paper and ink
work opportunities to other workers. The testing, tension test, and bursting factor,
consumption of paper in the Philippines is instead of relying on non-recycled paper
still low at 19 kg per capita, although it that are produced from different types of
increases by 2.5% per year. In addition to trees such as the most commonly used
that, the Philippines is expected to surpass spruce, pine, fir, larch and hemlock, and
2 million tons in the span of five years or hardwoods such as eucalyptus, aspen, and
an additional 0.3 million tons per year birch.
depending on the current consumption The study of sweet corn (Zea mays) husk
level (Parayno & Busmente, n.d.). Thus, as an alternative in producing fiber paper
the greater the potential of waste products can be an aid to society in order to help
to give rise to mountains of trash on the make a greener environment. Paper is a
necessity to society; it is used in mostly all

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of the communities and industries in the on the grade of the paper. Some paper such
world. ​If the test will be successful, the as currency paper is almost 100%
researchers can help the environment and cellulose. On the other hand, copy paper
can attain an alternative way of acquiring made from deinked pulp may contain more
and producing paper not just through trees than 10 organic and inorganic compounds.
but through corn husk as a possibility. Some special purpose paper such as coffee
However, the research does not emphasize filter paper containing wet strength
the corn husks suppliers and their polymer so to withstand hot water soaking.
locations. The specific amount of corn While, colored paper may contain dye or
husks that are used in this experiment will pigment. A paper’s chemical formula is
also not guarantee the number of fiber C​6​H​10​O​5 with cellulose as its primary
papers produced since there are various component. Cellulose is significant in
kinds of corn with different sets of papermaking since it has adequate tensile
characteristics. strength and suppleness or flexibility.
Thus, this paper is especially addressed to Corn husk is composed of lignocellulosic
learners, teachers, office employees and to biomass with a low content of lignin with
those who often use paper in their jobs or a similar amount of hemicellulose and
in their daily lives. This research aims to α-cellulose​. ​A corn husk's chemical
lessen the cutting of trees in the structure consists of 34-41%
environment in making paper, reducing hemicellulose, 31-39% cellulose, 2-14%
crop residues, preventing trash and lignin, 3-7% ash, 10-18% extractives and
landfills, and promote the recycling and water-soluble constituents. ​It contains high
utilization of corn husks in the Philippines. levels of ash content and extractives and it
Since corn husks are only either thrown was observed to have water soluble
away or burned, its fibers go to waste, yet, materials as well.
this paper offers a way to reduce the husk's This composition was close to the values
waste and reuse it for a better purpose. for corn stovers recorded in the
publications. It is clearly evaluated the
1.1 Review of Related Literature capability of pulp and paper making innate
Most studies define paper as a significant in corn husks.
thing in an individual's daily life. It The substance's fibre morphology revealed
provides various uses such as taking down that this really comprises of small,
notes, literature, news printing, hardwood-like fibres. Chemical analysis of
bookmaking and so on. Until it paved its the material therefore confirms that this is
way for inventions of numerous new types aligno-cellulosic product with only an
of printing, designing, and more (Suba, approximate cellulose quantity with less
2018). Paper is a heterogeneous mixture of than 20%, comparable with several
plant material such as cellulose, non-wood crops that help reduce the
hemi-cellulose, lignin etc. and filling quantity of chemical and pulping
material such as china clay, calcium resources. Certain structural indices, i.e.
carbonate and other chemical additives runkel ratio, coefficients of versatility,
such as rosin, alum, and starch depending slenderness percentage and resistance of

2
the sheet provided a good perspective on Moreover, producing more paper from
the characteristics of that same specific agricultural waste will yield further
fibresent in the product. The compressive benefits, as the need to cut down trees in
strength quality of the paper sheets order to produce paper will be diminished.
developed from the corn husk pulp Thus, helping to alleviate the
indicates that even the material can be environmental concerns over
accepted as more of an acceptable source unsustainability in regards to deforestation.
for papermaking. 42% of the global wood harvest is used to
Although this study concluded produce paper, and paper products
comparatively poor versatility and runkel represent one of the greatest components
proportions, corn husk-produced pulp can of landfills, accounting for a third of
also be combined with softwood, municipal waste (The World Counts,
hardwood or recycled paper pulp to 2014). In view of the shortage of
generate paper with improved printability, conventional raw materials for pulping and
breaking endurance as well as mechanical the increasing demand for paper products
resistance​ (Mendes et al, 2014). worldwide; non-wood plants and
But these are not the only moist cellulose agricultural residues have attracted
fiber that can be used in producing paper. renewed interest, especially in
In fact, paper can be made from different Mediterranean countries like Spain, Italy,
types of wastes such as pulped native corn and Greece with insufficient forest
husk fibers that can be used in many ways. resources (Hurter, 1988).
Increasing concerns on wood consumption The Philippines is said to have rich natural
and raw-material availability for the paper resources which is why agriculture is one
industry have resulted in a renewed of its primary resources of income. Some
attention on the benefits inherent in several of the commonly planted crops is corn
non-wood fiber plants, with annual or since it is as a close substitute for rice
biannual harvests (Fagbemigun, Fagbemi, (Untalan, 2018). The top ten regions that
Otitoju, Mgbachiuzor, & Igwe, 2014). produce corn are Cagayan Valley, where
Several agricultural food crop residues 25% of their harvest which is
including rice husk, corn straw, okra approximately 7,389,425 metric tons is
stalks, corn stalk, banana bunch, pineapple derived from corn. Next are Northern
leaf and corn husks which do not have Mindanao with 17%, SOCCSKSARGEN
immediate beneficial applications in many with 16%, ARMM with 10%, Ilocos
communities have been proposed to be Region with 10%, Western Visayas with
potential sources of pulp. Among these 4.5%, Bicol Region with 3.1%, CAR with
agricultural residues, corn husks have been 3%, Zamboanga Peninsula with 2.9%, and
the subject of a very limited amount of Central Luzon with 2.8% (Department of
research interest as a fiber source. Husks Agriculture, 2012, p.1). Given the fact that
of sweet corn, peeled off and discarded almost all regions in the Philippines are
after harvest, constitute a menace to the planting and producing corn, there are tons
environment because they are classified as of supply of corn husks that are thrown
waste with no beneficial importance. away which can be recycled and a

3
substitute for making papers instead of The researchers aim to determine if there
cutting down trees. In this way, it can is a possibility to produce paper using corn
prevent deforestation and preserve old husks to reduce the usage of trees in the
trees. environment.
The present study, therefore, aims at
investigating the paper-making potential of H​a​: Sweet corn (Zea mays) is a possible
corn husks via the determination of its substitute in making fiber paper.
fiber morphology, chemical composition H​0​: Sweet corn (Zea mays) is not possible
as well as the strength of paper sheets as a substitute in making fiber paper.
produced from the material. As it
examines the physical properties of maize 1.4 Definition of terms
husk and stalks fiber to determine their ● Agricultural residue ​- the
suitability in writing and durability, as well harvested corn husks left in fields
as in pulp and paper production as an or thrown away.
alternative to the use of conventional wood ● Agricultural waste - waste
in paper production. produced from crops such as sweet
corn.
1.2 Statement of the Problem ● Conventional wood - An ordinary
The study makes an inquest into the and widely used wood that
paper-making potential of corn husk for contributes to the need of taking
the preservation of more forest trees that down trees in order to produce
are widely used in the production of paper. materials such as paper.
The results could imply if corn husks are ● Fiber morphology - Study of
possible alternatives in making paper then individual fibers within a particular
paper producers can not just rely only on fiber; morphology is a biological
the different trees in the environment. study of the forms of things.
Adding that corn husks will be used ● Fiber paper ​- the paper made from
efficiently rather than burning or throwing corn husks.
it away. The study seeks to answer the ● Moist cellulose fiber - is seen in
following: most agricultural crops such as
1. Is it possible to use corn husks as sweet corn.
an alternative in making paper? ● Stalk fiber - the fiber to be tested
2. What are the differences between in this research to substitute
the commercially available paper, non-recyclable paper.
corn husks mixed with paper bags ● Zea mays - the scientific name of
and the paper made from pure corn sweet corn which will be a major
husks? factor in this study. It is also a
3. Do these fiber papers have the diverse major crop in the
same characteristics as the papers Philippines that generates a large
made from trees? amount of agricultural residues.

1.3 Hypothesis

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2. METHODOLOGY black is an excellent coloring agent as
black pigment, it is used for printing inks,
2.1 Research Design resin coloring, paints, and toners. It has
The research method that will be used for higher tinting strength and is also excellent
this paper is a quantitative experimental for absorbing ultraviolet light compared to
study. The experimental method is a other pigments, that is why the researchers
method that is in line with a scientific ought to use a ballpoint pen which
research design where the researchers are contains carbon black ink.
able to manipulate the variables present Second, the bursting factor will be used to
and control possible changes in other determine what amount of pressure is
variables. During the experiment, the needed for the fiber paper to rupture. It
controlled variable is the number of corn measured by means of Burst Pressure Test
husks that will be used in making the fiber machine. To measure the bursting factor,
paper. To prove the efficiency of corn TAPPI T 403 (Bursting strength of Paper)
husks as the material for producing fiber will be held in the Department of Science
paper, there will be three types of tests and Technology (DOST) to test. Bursting
namely the paper and ink testing, tension pressure is measured using Burst pressure
test, and bursting factor. These three tests test machine. The materials grip between
will determine if fiber papers may be annular clamps is subjected to increasing
possible substitutes to normal pressure by a rubber diaphragm, which is
non-recycled paper and if it can be easily an increase at a controlled rate by
written on, has the same durability and hydraulic pressure, until the materials
tensile strength of a normal non-recycled breaks down or ruptures. The pressure
paper made from trees. scan at the moment of breakage is reported
as the bursting pressure. The units of
2.2 Research Instrument expression are pounds per square inch.
The tests or the instrument that the Lastly, the tension test or tensile test will
researchers will use to gather the data are be used to determine how materials react
paper and ink testing, bursting factor, and to the tension load. In order to know the
tension test. Paper and ink testing strength of the paper, the researchers will
measures the ability of the paper to absorb go to the Department of Science and
ink and the writability on the fiber paper. Technology (DOST) to test the paper
To test the fiber paper, a ball point pen using TAPPI T 494 (Tensile Breaking
will be used to test its writing surface. Properties of Paper and Paperboard Using
Ballpoint pen consists of carbon black for Constant Rate of Elongation Apparatus).
black ink suspended in a solvent of oil or In a tension test, the material will be pulled
water. Frequently used oils for ball point up or down to its breaking point to know
inks are benzyl alcohol or phenoxyethanol, the strength of the material. Typically,
which is mixed with the pigment or dyes mechanical behavior is measured by
to create a smooth, vibrant ink that dries utilizing strips of paper cut from the same
quickly. Its ink has a density of +- 1.0743 sheet in perpendicular directions: machine
g/cm3 at 20°C room temperature. Carbon direction (the direction in which the paper

5
moves during manufacture) and hour. Put the pot away from the heat and
cross-machine direction (the direction let it cool. Soak the cooled corn husks in
orthogonal to the machine direction). The room temperature water. Rinse the husks
resulting stress-strain plot will provide a properly in order to eliminate the
fundamental engineering description of the remaining soda ash before handling it.
mechanical behavior of paper when For setup A​: Put the rinsed corn
subjected to tensile stresses as they are husk and water to a blender and let it blend
pulled to failure. The test will measure the until the husks are similar to a puree.
amount of force that is applied to the For setup B​: Put an estimated
material and the elongation of the fiber amount of paper, water and rinsed corn
paper. husk in the blender. In this experiment, the
researchers would be using 30% amount of
2.3 Procedure brown paper bag while the remaining 70%
Handmade Fiber Paper vs commercially would be from the husk and the water.
made paper Blend all three until it becomes similar to a
There are different chemical composition puree.
based on different kinds of paper. A Pour the two liquids into separate silk
typical copying paper is made from a screens and remove excess water to form
mixture that contains cellulose, the shape of a rectangle ( 9” x 12”). For
hemi-cellulose and lignin derived from test A, stick the shaped corn husk at the
wood pulp. The organic chemical spotted bottom of a baking paper and put another
are oxygen, chlorine and hydrogen shaped corn husk on its top to serve as its
peroxide. It also consists of fillers and cover. Do the same thing with test B but
pigments such as china clay and calcium instead of the shaped corn husk, stick the
carbonate. Lastly, a chemical additive one that is mixed with paper. Lastly, for
(starch, rose, etc) is also added depending both tests, place heavy books on it
on the grade of the paper. On the other overnight. Put it under the sun and let it
hand, a handmade fiber paper used on the dry completely. A total of 30 fiber papers
research is made from a mixture of corn will be produced, each test will be yielding
husk and soda ash and corn husk, soda ash, 15 fiber papers. After the drying of the
and a brown paper bag. fiber papers, proceed to the three tests.

Handmade Fiber Paper Making There is a wide range of physical tests on

The corn husks that will be used is from paper materials, in accordance with
vendors around Sampaloc, Manila. The various International Standards. As a
corn husks must be washed thoroughly standard, all of the tests are performed in a
before putting it inside the pot. Dry corn controlled laboratory environment.
husks will be allowed in this procedure However, it has the capability to combine
since when boiling, the husks will any of the testing services at a set
rehydrate. Put the corn husks in a pot with temperature or after exposure to freezing
boiling water and add soda ash to soften temperatures or high humidity. The
the husks. Stir gently and simmer it for an mechanical and strength properties of

6
paper reflect the intrinsic chemistry, which the ink and paper combination
morphology, and structure of the paper. “set”. A standard “Fast Set” cyan ink is
These properties also reflect those used for this test, but any ink can be used.
chemical changes that cause the paper to
lose its permanence with time. Strength After finishing all the tests, the researchers
properties can thereby serve as indicators will compare the two setup based on the
of the permanence of paper, even when the results given. Then, proceed to data
nature of the chemical changes responsible analysis.
for the deterioration remains unknown.
Careful monitoring of strength properties
can also be used for evaluating the
effectiveness of treatments for aging. This
requires test methods and procedures that
have been proven to be reliable. TAPPI
test methods for evaluating the properties
in terms of the fundamental characteristics
of paper on which they depend. Tensile
strength allows only the evaluation of
elongation at break or stretch. Bursting
strength of papers requires a thickness up
to 06 mm. The most commonly used
tearing test often called the Elmendorf tear
test, measures the internal tearing
Figure 1​ Fiber paper procedure.
resistance of paper rather than the
edge-tear strength of paper. A folding
endurance test is used to measure the 2.4 Data Analysis
ability of a paper to maintain its strength The physical characteristics of the fiber
after repeated folding. TAPPI test methods paper produced from corn husk fibers such
require strict observance of standard as tensile, bursting factor, and paper and
conditioning and environmental conditions ink testing will be analyzed by using a
during strength testing of paper. While the standard measurement based on the
paper and ink stability test measures the Technical Association of the Pulp and
ability of a paper to absorb the thin oils Paper Industry-TAPPI 220 sp-06 as well
from ink. As the oils leave the ink film, the as the standard thickness of paper which is
ink sets and after time, eventually dries. If 0.1mm. The paper’s quality will be
the ink contains heavy oxidation-type oils, measured through GSM or grams per
it sets slowly. If the ink is formulated with square meter in which printer paper has a
hydrocarbon oils, it will be fast setting. GSM of 90-100. GSM is the standard way
During this test, it measures the splitting for measuring the quality of the paper; the
forces of the ink on the paper. Over time, higher the GSM, the thicker the paper. For
this generates a setting curve, and the the evaluation, the gathered data is going
slope of this curve is reported as the rate at to be observed and treated under the

7
one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
that compares the means of two or more
independent groups in order to know if
there are any statistically significant
differences between the means of two or
more independent groups. The three
independent groups present for the
analysis is the normal printer paper
(90-100 gsm), purely made fiber paper
from corn husk, and the fiber paper made
from 70% corn husk and 30% brown paper
bag. A number of 15 tests will be
compared in each mixture. Moreover, it
will be used in determining the accepted
qualities produced from the fiber paper
such as texture, durability, thickness, and
its suitability for writing.

8
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