Feasibility of Oyster Shell as Stain Remover

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Science and

Technology III

February 10, 2010

Abstract

Oyster has been an important food way back since the medieval period.

Up to know it is favored by many people not only because of its delicious taste

but also because of its nutritional values. Just recently, Ms. Acaso and her

colleagues proposed a new product that could be derived out of its shell; a stain

remover. Oyster shells are made up of calcium carbonate which is also one of

the main components of a detergent. Aside from that, 0.14% of extractable

chlorine is also present on Oysters. The main argument here is whether or not

Oyster shell would indeed be feasible for substituting the commercially available

stain removers. What could be its possible effects on the plants?

The said research project was made possible through the following

procedures: After gathering the materials needed, pound the Oyster shell until it

became a powder-like substance. Put it first in a container and set it aside for

later usage. Do this procedure with the chalk as well. Cut the fabric into equal

sizes and stain it using black paint, catsup, and soy sauce. Make sure that the

stains that will be put are of equal amounts. Mix 3 table spoons of pounded

Oyster shell, Chalk, Chlorine, and detergent into 60 ml distilled water. Soak the

stained fabrics into these treatments and set it aside. Record the changes that

will took place in every desired length of time.

 When the experimentation was taking place, different observations and

changes were observed by the scientists. Oyster and Chalk are not soluble

substances, reason why they settled at the surface and bottom of the solution.

Water from the black paint has changed into black. It will be seen that chlorine is

the most effective stain remover used but it has side effects. Frequent use of this

substance may cause the fabric to be thin and may be an irritant to our skin.

Aside from that, Chlorine, and even detergent, is proven hazardous for the

plants. As for the oyster, indeed, it is proven feasible for substituting

commercially available products, it is even better when compared to the chalk,

further studies and development is still needed for it to attain its best

effectiveness.
Review of Related Literature

Oyster shell is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of

bivalve mollusks which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly

calcified. True oysters are members of the family Ostridae. It includes edible

oyster which mainly belongs to Ostrea, Crassaostrea, and Saccostrea. These

oysters are incapable of making gem quality pearl.

It is only one of the numerous highly cultivated marine creatures of the

Philippines. It has been favored by food lovers throughout the century. It has

been an important food since Neolithic period, and was cultivated long before

Christian era. Oysters are not only delicious but they are also a well balanced

food, containing protein, carbohydrates, and lipids. The National Heart and Lung

Institute suggest Oyster as an ideal food for inclusion in low-cholesterol alerts.

They are also excellent source of vitamin A, Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2),

Niacine, Ascorbic Acid, and calciferol. Four of five medium size oysters supply

the recommended daily allowance if Iron, Iodine, Magnesium, Manganese, and

Phosphorus.

Based on the research done by Ms. Jessa N. Acaso and her colleagues,

more than 95% of an Oyster shell is Calcium Carbonate that helps to produce

chalk which is one of the components of detergent. When pounded, they produce

whitish product in which based on the report conducted at ITPI, each 50g of

pounded Oyster shell has 0.44% extractable chlorine which can remove stains
and 82.95% calcium carbonate which has a special white color as coating

pigment that off sets stain. Scientists also found out that it has Amino Acid that

could absorb large amount of liquid. Based on these gathered data, scientists

also concluded that it could be used as a water cleanser.

Oyster shell stain remover, if developed will be very successful not only to

housewives but also to our mother earth. We all know that detergents are not

eco-friendly because it contains large amount of chlorine which reacts with

organic material to trinalomethanes like chloroform which is well-known

carcinogen. It is also respiratory irritant because of its pungent odor.

Problem

What properties of Oyster shell does it possess that makes it feasible for

substituting commercially available stain remover? Will it remove stain

effectively? What would be its possible effects on plants?

Hypothesis

1. Oyster shell will be an effective alternative stain remover if further

developed.

2. Pounded oyster shell has calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate or chalk

is one of the components of the detergent.

3. This will be ideal for promoting the care for our environment since it

doesn’t have any harmful effects to plants and other organisms.

4. Soaking the stained cloth in distilled water with pounded oyster shell will

remove its stain.

Significance of the study

This study aims to provide a health an eco-friendly stain remover since all

commercially available stain removers react with organic material to

trinalomethanes like chloroform which is well-known carcinogen. It is also

conducted to test which stain remover could off set a stain well.
Methodology:

Materials used:

 Mortar and pestle

 Pearl or true oyster

 Chlorine

 Detergent

 Plant

 Containers

 Fabrics (plain white and

printed)

 Black paint

 Soy sauce

 Chalk
1. Pound the Oyster shell until it became a powder-like substance. Put

it in a container and set it aside.

2. Pound also the chalk into a powder-like substance like the oyster.

3. Mix 3 table spoon of Oyster into 60 ml distilled water. Do this

procedure with the Chalk, Detergent, and chlorine as well.

4. Cut different fabrics of equal sizes. (3x3 inches is used for this

project)

5. Put stains on these cloths. Stains should be of equal amounts.

6. Soak these fabrics into different solutions that we have made. Set it

aside and record all the changes that will happen.

7. Use two different plants to know the effect of Oyster shell solution

and detergent on them. Water both plant with these solutions. Make

sure that they are both under good condition.

Observations and result

Product Observations

Pearl Oyster  Brittle

 Inside part of the oyster is wax-like

 Outside texture is rough unlike the insides

 No strong odor

 Color: Outside-dirty white, inside-white

*when pounded  Color is dirty white with specks of brown

 Odor is similar to that of a chalk only

stronger

 Even though it is brittle, it took long time for

it to be pounded into powder like substance

Chalk  White

 Brittle

 Smooth

*when pounded  Dirty white

 Irritating smell

Chlorine  Color yellow (according to some, its hue is

similar to that of a pee)

 Strong pungent odor which is lung irritant

  Causes a stingy feeling on your skin

Detergent  Strong odor that can make you sneeze

 White with specks of red and blue

When mixed with distilled water:

Mixture Observation

Oyster shell  Bubbles appeared on its surface

 After several minutes, the solid particles

settled on the bottom

 After few more minutes, the water became

clear because all the solid particles settled

at the bottom

Detergent  Water became blue and a lot of bubbles

appeared

 Powder did not dissolve in one stirring.

Some of the particles which are not

dissolved settled at the bottom.

Chlorine  Lost its color.

 Mixed well with water

 No other visible changes happened

Chalk  Water became whitish

 Chalk particles became stiff/ thick

Legend:

Treatment A1- black paint in oyster shell

Treatment A2- black paint in Chalk

Treatment A3- Black paint in detergent

Treatment A4- black paint in chlorine

Treatment B1- catsup in oyster

Treatment B2- catsup in chalk

Treatment B3- catsup in detergent

Treatment B4- catsup in chlorine

Treatment C1- soy sauce in oyster

Treatment C2- soy sauce in chalk

Treatment C3- soy sauce in detergent

Treatment C4- soy sauce in chlorine

First five minutes:

Treatment Observations

Water Plain white fabric

Treatment A1  Water  Color of the stain

beacame gray did not lessen

 White particles

on the surface

appeared

Treatment A2  Water also  Color of the paint

became did not lessen as

grayish well

 Some semi-

solid particles

settled at the

bottom

Treatment A3  Blue became  The stain

grayish spreads
Treatment A4  Water also  Stain lessen a bit

became gray

Treatment B1  No changes  No changes

happened

 Like treatment

A1, some

whitish

substance

appeared on

its surface.

Treatment B2  No changes  No changes

happened

 Semi-solid

particles

settled at the

bottom

Treatment B3  No changes  Blue spots

appeared on the

fabric

Treatment B4  No changes  Color has lighten

already

Treatment C1  Color of the  Dark brown

water did not became light

 change

 White particles

on its surface

also appeared

Treatment C2  Water  Same with C1

becomes

clearer

because white

particles are

settling at the

bottom

Treatment C3  Water is still  Similar with C2

blue

 Bubbles

disappeared

Treatment C4  no changes  similar with C2

After 24 hours:

Treatment Observations

Water Fabric
Treatment A1  Solid particles  Color of the fabric

settled at the gradually

bottom and becomes gray

some on top.

 The water in

between is clear

Treatment A2  1/8 of the water  Similar with

is taken by the treatment A1

solid chalk

particles which

settled at the

bottom

Treatment A3  Blue water  At first, the fabric

became gray is gray in color

but when washed,

it became blue.

TreatmentA4  Water is gray.  Stain on the fabric

Lighter than the totally faded.

color of the  Fabric had

water in other become thin, it

treatments ripped off

Treatment B1  Water became  Stain on the fabric

very light faded but the

 orange yellow borders did

not

Treatment B2  Water is still the  The borders did

same. not disappear.

 At first look, it

seems like the

stain has

completely faded

but when you

take a closer look,

you may notice a

very light brown

spot at the middle

Treatment B3  Water is Blue  Fabric is blue as

well. The yellow

borders have

been covered

with its blue color.

Treatment B4  Water is very  The yellow

clear unlike the borders also

others faded

 Fabric became

very thin.
Treatment C1  Similar with  Stain has faded

Treatment A1 but the yellow

and B1 borders used did

not

Treatment C2  Similar with  Stain also

Treatment B1 disappeared but

and b2 the yellow

borders did not

Treatment C3  Similar with  Fabric has been

other detergent covered by blue

treatments color

Treatment C4  Water is clear  Same with other

fabrics that was

soaked in

Chlorine.
Effect of Detergent and Oyster to plants

Condition of the Plant before experiment:

Plant A (Oyster)

 Under good condition

 With 4 flowers and 5 flower buds

 It has no dry leaves

Plant B (detergent)

 Plant under good condition

 With 4 flowers and 6 flower buds

 It has no dry leaves

Day 1:

Plant A:

No changes

Plant B:

No changes

Day 2:

Plant A:

No changes

Plant B:

No changes

Day 3:

Plant A:

No changes

Plant B:

Yellow Pigment on the leaves started to appear

Day 4:

Plant A:

Flower Buds start to open. Few leave starting to turn yellow

Plant B:

Leaves are still the same with day 3

Day 5:

Plant A:

Plant still under normal condition Progress of the flower bud is still the

same. No leaves started to change anymore.

Plant B:

Yellow pigment starts to scatter. Flower buds do not open anymore

Day 6 and 7: Saturday and Sunday

Day 8:

Plant A

Still under normal condition

Plant B:

All the leaves are dry already as well as the flowers. Stems and branches

are darker than the usual.

Effect of Oyster, Chalk, Detergent, and Chlorine to colored fabrics (after 24 hours)

Oyster Shell

No changes

Chalk

Became whitish in color but when washed with clean water it turned back to its

original color

Detergent

Blue spots appeared. When dried, these turned into white.

Chlorine

Color faded. Ruined the fabric

 6

Soy sauce 5

0
oyster chalk detrgent chlorine

6
Paint
5

3 Series1

0
oyster chalk detrgent chlorine

Catsup

3 Series1

0
oyster chalk detergent chlorine
Description:

The graph above shows the effectiveness of different stain removers used. When

studied, it will show that chlorine off sets different stains well.
Conclusion:

After series of experimentations, Scientists were able to come up with different

conclusions. Each of the proposed stain removers is effective in different aspects. It

could be noticed that Chlorine has the most successful outcome, but it has a side effect.

First is that often usage of these product may damage your clothes and your skin.

Second, it is not suitable for colored fabrics. Color-safe stain removers have already

come out of the public but its effectiveness is not as much as the chlorine and it has a

costly price thus, not recommended to housewives who wanted to save money. Lastly,

it is dangerous for our plants. Based on the experiment, the development of the plant

watered with Chlorine ceased. It also caused the plant to be withered. Oyster shell is

more effective than chalk or calcium carbonate most especially if it will be developed. It

has no direct harmful effect on the plant. As to the detergent, the amount of detergent is

not proportioned to the amount of the water. The black paint was the most difficult stain

to off set.
Recommendation:

Further studies and development of this product will make it more successful.

When conducting the experiment, make sure that all the materials used are of equal

amounts.