Ateneo de Manila Senior High School

Water Hyacinth as an Alternative Additive in the Production of Bioplastics

CSIP Dulot

Submitted to:

Ms. Jerlie Sianda

Submitted by:

Ang, Luis Adrian E.

Ferrer, Angela Nicole Isabel F.

Reyes, Ruth Nicole A.

Santos, Ralph Vincent F.

Sto. Domingo, Voltaire T.

Tronqued, Crysania Felicia B.

Viray, Guillian Brian D.

12 - Pantalia

Submitted on:

October 8, 2019
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III. METHODOLOGY

This chapter will provide an in-depth discussion of the methods to be used in the

research. Research Design, Participants, Sampling Instruments, Procedure, and Analysis will

all be thoroughly discussed respectively with a step by step explanation on the experimental

flow, as this will serve as a reference for future replications of the study.

Design

The utilization of bioplastics is a relatively new concept introduced to the community.

The researchers propose two methods that the community can recreate on their own, and

ensure the feasibility and effectivity of the said bioplastic at the same time. First, a pilot

study design will be conducted to determine the feasibility, reception, and perception of the

community to water hyacinth added bioplastics. Second, in order to test the bioplastic’s

effectivity, a comparative experimental design will be conducted while the variables in the

experimental design will be tested through a true experiment.

Method 1: The Pilot Study Design. Pilot studies are small-scale preliminary studies

done before actual high-risk experiments, which aim to investigate whether the crucial

components and methods of a study are feasible. This is to ensure that resources and time are

properly utilized before proceeding with the actual experiment. These can also come in the

form of interviews and surveys which aim to determine whether all the participants and

stakeholders will agree with the methods employed in the experiment. In the case of this

research, the pilot study will be in the form of interviews which will gather perspectives and

insights on water hyacinth added bioplastics from the participants of Barangay Santiago.
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Strengths of the Pilot Study Design. ​The pilot study design is beneficial for the

research as it will assess the degree of necessity for the alternative to plastics in the

community. Moreover, it will provide an opportunity for the participants to become fully

aware of the presented solution, and allow them to suggest further adjustments to the

proposed methods. It will also determine the degree of reception at which the interviewees

perceive the alternative product that will be presented.

Significance of the Pilot Study Design in Answering Research Questions. The pilot

study design will involve a semi-structured interview. There will be two factors considered in

selecting the participants for the interview: livelihood and convenience. The researchers will

target both farmers and fishermen in determining the participants, since they are the primary

stakeholders. As for convenience, the researchers will interview members of the same

livelihood background. The discussion during the interview will be composed of two themes:

the degree of necessity for alternatives to commercially produced plastics and the feasibility

of the bioplastic being used in the community. The information that will be collated from this

research design will be contributory to answering what process is the most feasible and

effective method in producing bioplastics as the approval and support of the community is

integral to the feasibility of the process. This allows a dialogue between the researchers and

the locals so that the locals may come to accept the project as their own.

Method 2: True Experimental Design. ​This design method will be used once the

precautionary feasibility test will be employed. Instead of feasibility being tested, this design

determines the effectivity of the product bioplastic produced. A true experiment supports or

refutes a hypothesis through statistical analysis, and establishes the cause and effect

relationship between variables present in the study.

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​ ne of the major strengths of this research

Strengths of True Experimental Design. O

design is that it allows the researchers to have full control of the independent variable in

gathering results. ​Being an experimental design, this type of research requires a control and

experimental group. The control group is a group of research samples that resemble the

experimental group but do not receive the same experimental treatment. On the other hand,

the experimental group is the converse where the independent variable is tested. In the case of

the study, the control group will be commercially produced plastics which will then be

compared to the experimental group, starch based bioplastics with water hyacinth additives.

With this design, it gives researchers the ability to compare and contrast the results gathered

from both pools of samples. Another criterion of this type of design is random assignment

which means that samples are collected randomly, thus reducing bias from the researchers.

Significance of the True Experimental Design in Answering the Research

​ ith regards to answering the research questions, the true experiment will help
Questions. W

compare and contrast the similarities and differences of commercially produced plastics and

water hyacinth added bioplastics. With this method, the effectivity of the proposed alternative

will be measured. The properties of water hyacinths will also be measured together with the

bioplastics. The results of the true experimental design will be statistically analyzed so the

results are definite. In addition, this design aims to help with the goal of using water

hyacinths as an alternative material for bioplastics. A significant point in this design is to

further observe the effects of the control and experimental group that would be essential with

the analysis of the data and results. The research objectives which can be fulfilled by this

design are ​studying the properties of water hyacinths and transforming water hyacinths into

eco-friendly plastic that can fend off crops which are food sources for insects, since the true
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experimental design can test one effect at a time and can have an overview of the variables

being studied.

Participants and Sampling

As the nature of the study is based on the community, the participants will be the

residents of the community of Barangay Santiago, Baras, Rizal.

Criteria for Inclusion.​Twelve (12) residents from Baras, Rizal will be chosen to be

part of the study. The following attributes shall be taken into account in choosing the

participants: occupation and proximity. The researchers will consider the participants’

occupation since this is considered vital for the study, in terms of determining the effects of

water hyacinths in the community. The fishermen and farmers are the benefactors of the

study, which is why they will be regarded as the target participants. By getting information

from the stakeholders of the study, the needs and viewpoints of the respondents will be taken

into account. As for proximity, the limited time accommodated to perform this process, as

well as convenience, will also be considered.

Demographic. ​Twelve (12) participants, aging from 18 to 75 years old, will be

interviewed. The participants have either fishing, farming, or both as their livelihoods. All

participants will be male Filipino citizens who have lived in Barangay Santiago for at least 30

years.

Type of Sampling. ​Due to the nature and purpose of the research, purposive sampling

is to be used. This type of sampling is a non-probability one that is done based on the

characteristics of a population and the objective of the study. This sampling was chosen

because of the two characteristics considered in choosing the participants, namely the

occupation of the participant and the location. In order to get accurate information about the
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experiences of people living in the community of Barangay Santiago in Baras, Rizal, only a

selected number of people will be chosen as participants as they fit the profile being studied,

and have the needed first-hand experience and knowledge.

Selection and recruitment. ​Selection and recruitment will be done through the help

of the foster families of each of the researchers. Each participant that will be chosen through

purposive sampling will be provided with a consent form, which will serve as an aid in

understanding the study being conducted.

Consent and safeguard process. ​In order to ensure the safety of all participants, the

researchers will provide consent forms to the participants before conducting the interviews.

Details about the study, such as the problem being addressed as well as its purpose, were

included in the said form. These would be of help to the participants in understanding what it

is that they are getting involved in. It also states that all information shared with the

researchers is for academic purposes only and will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Moreover, the participants will be informed of the possible risks and effects of their

participation in the study, and with this, they are given the freedom to withdraw at any time

in the given procedure.

Instruments

In order to gather sufficient data, the researchers will make use of five instruments in

total : a Semi Structured Interview Questionnaire for the Pilot Test and Tensile Strength Test,

Water Resistance Test, Heat Resistance Test and Ultimate Biodegradability Test for the True

Experimental Design.

Pilot Test Instrument

Semi Structured Interview Questionnaire. ​Interviews will be conducted for the

researchers to collect data about the experiences and views of the respondents on the
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problems they face, particularly those regarding water hyacinths and how these affect their

daily lives. This will guide the researchers in the assessment of whether the experiment will

have an effect on the livelihood of the members of the community.

Materials for the instrument. ​The instrument to be used is a list of guide questions

asked by the researchers, following a semi-structured interview. The questions will tackle

whether they view water hyacinths as an impediment or as an aid to their livelihood, whether

they think making use of water hyacinths as an alternative material is a good or bad idea, how

these water hyacinths affect their job and their daily life, and whether they deem the

experiment as feasible or not. The participants will be asked about the practicability and

probability that they will use the results of the research. Other recommendations and insights

will also be taken into consideration.

Details of the instrument. ​In the preparation of the interview questions, the

information the researchers hope to obtain was taken into account. The interview questions

were mostly open-ended, in order to give an in-depth look at the gathered data. The questions

were grouped in themes to allow easy discussion with the respondents, while still making

sure each question was comprehensive. The interview guide was prepared in both Tagalog

and English to serve as a guide for researchers when doing the actual interview.

The interviews will be conducted inside the homes of each participant. Together with

the group’s foster parent, the researchers will personally visit each participant and ask for

consent before the interview. In each interview, the respondents will be asked open-ended

questions from the list, but some impromptu follow-up questions will be brought up as well

when deemed necessary, following a semi-structured interview. The flow of the interview is

as shown below.
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Figure 1.​ Flow of the Semi-structured Interview

The researchers will be able to have a one-on-one interaction with each of the

respondents, acquiring the needed data and ensuring the credibility of the provided data. The

researchers will be able to give comments and have a genuine discussion about the topic,

strengthening the reliability of the data. The purpose of conducting an interview is to collect a

rich source of information from the small group of the chosen respondents about their

knowledge, preferences, opinions, and feelings about the subject of water hyacinths. This will

be of help to better understand the phenomenon occurring in the community.

True Experimental Design Instruments. ​Considering the researchers will

experiment on the effectivity and use of water hyacinths as an alternative additive in the
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production of bioplastics for the improvement of the farming livelihood of Barangay

Santiago, Baras, Rizal, a true experimental design will be used to test the product using both

an experimental group and a control group. The research instruments bundled into this part of

the research include : Tensile Strength Test, Water Resistance Test, Heat Resistance Test and

Ultimate Biodegradability Test

Materials for the instruments. ​The materials needed for conducting the actual

experiment are 9.5g of cornstarch, 60 mL of water, 5 mL of glycerine, 5 mL of 5% acetic

acid or vinegar, 10 pcs of water hyacinths with each stalk having a length of 1 ft., box of

matchsticks, mortar and pestle, blender, stove top, beaker, 3 silicone mould trays, stopwatch

and an oven.

Details of the instrument. ​In this research design, the cornstarch acts as a long

polysaccharide chain consisting of sugar molecules. As the mixture is heated, the acetic acid

or vinegar hydrolyzes or breaks down the chemical bonds present in the cornstarch which

leads to smaller chains of polysaccharides. These linear chains are still stiff in nature. This is

why glycerine is added to act as a plasticizer enabling the bioplastic to be flexible or pliable

and not brittle (Godwin 2017). A silicone container was also opted by the researchers to

ensure that the produced bioplastic will not stick to the surface of where it was dried.

Furthermore, the research design will divide its samples into the control and

experimental group which are commercially produced plastics and starch based bioplastics

with added water hyacinths respectively. The bioplastics’ properties will be tested through a

series of experiments which will be then compared to the data gathered from commercial

plastics that went through the same process. The independent variable in this case is the

presence of water hyacinths along with several test dependent independent variables while
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the dependent variable is the properties being tested on the plastics as shown in the figure

below.

Figure 2.​ Schematic Diagram of the Tests Conducted on Both Control and

Experimental Groups.

Procedure

The procedure will be divided between the pilot and experimental design. For the

Pilot study design, an interview will be done within the community to help the researchers

assess the feedback of the community regarding the research. This will be done through

having a set of interview questions, and a letter of informed consent. The researchers will go

around the community and look for potential candidates to be interviewed for the research.
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When a candidate is selected, the researcher will ask the candidate if they are willing to do an

interview, then let the candidate sign the informed consent if he/she agrees. Both the

researched and candidate will engage in a conversation regarding the water hyacinths and

pests within the community. The interview questions will guide the conversation between the

candidate and researcher to gain more significant data that is related to the research. The

interviewees are then assigned a number which will serve as their identity in the research.

Content Analysis and Thematic analysis will be used by the research to be able to interpret

the responses given by candidates in the community.

The interview questions are as follows:

1. How long have you been a resident in Baras, Rizal specifically in Barangay Santiago?

(Gaano na kayo katagal na residente ng Baras, partikular na sa Barangay Santiago?)

2. How long has this problem (crop destruction due to pests/water hyacinth

proliferation) been occurring in the barangay? (Gaano na katagal dinaranas ng

barangay ang pagsira ng tanim dahil sa mga peste?)

3. Is the outgrowth of water hyacinth detrimental to the community? (Nakakapinsala po

ba ang matinding pagtubo ng water hyacinth sa inyong komunidad?)

4. How have these problems affected your way of living? (Paano naaapektuhan ng mga

problemang ito ang pamumuhay niyo?)

5. Were there any other methods done, aside from the use of plastic, in order to prevent

pest infestation and the outgrowth of water hyacinths? (Maliban sa paggamit ng

plastik, may iba pa ba kayong solusyong nabuo para matigil ang pamemeste at

pagdami ng water hyacinth?)

6. What are the challenges that you have experienced by using the method of your

choice? (Ano ang mga problemang naranasan niyo sa ginamit niyong solusyon?)
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7. Are you open to using another method in order to lessen crop destruction in your

Barangay? (Bukas ba kayong sumubok ng bagong pamamaraan na labanan ang

pagkasira ng mga tanim?)

8. Do you think that using water hyacinths as a source of material in creating bioplastics

is a viable option for your community? (Sa palagay mo, ang paggamit ba ng water

hyacinth bilang plastic ay mabuting solusyon sa problema ng inyong komunidad?)

For the experimental design, commercial plastics and bioplastics produced will be

tested for strength, water resistance, biodegradability, and heat resistance. The results from

these tests are recorded and will be used as comparison to the data gathered on the tested

bioplastics. The 30 pieces of water hyacinths are going to be obtained from the community

and will be left under the sun for 2 weeks until dried of water. These dried water hyacinths

are then split into three bundles of ten pieces each. Matchsticks are used to burn one bundle

of dried water hyacinths. Another bundle is crushed and grinded through a mortar and pestle.

The last bundle is blended to emulsify and puree the water hyacinths. Afterwhich, the 3

mould trays were then labelled according to the type of water hyacinth mixture: burnt,

crushed and emulsified, respectively. The 9.5g of cornstarch , 60 mL of water, 5 mL of

glycerine, 5 mL of acetic acid, and 10 pieces of the processed water hyacinths were all stirred

and heated inside a beaker until a thick homogeneous paste formed on the bottom of the

container. This step was done 3 times with each type of processed water hyacinth, namely the

burnt, crushed and dried. Each mixture was then transferred and spread across the mould tray

and left under the sun for 1 week to dry out and solidify into a bioplastic film.

To test for tensile strength, the samples will be subjected to weight being added below

the hanging samples as it stretches and breaks. This will be the method to test the strength of
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the bioplastics when force is exerted upon it. Another set of 3 samples from each mould tray

will be taken, and each sample will be exposed to 100mL of water.

To test for the bioplastic’s water resistance, the samples will be subjected to water.

When the samples are soaked, the stopwatch timer will be immediately started and the time

for the sample to dissolve in water will be recorded.

The Solder Heat Resistance Test is utilized to test the resistance of the bioplastic to

the temperature in the Philippines, since the bioplastic will be exposed to sunlight for

prolonged periods. The remaining samples together with the trays are placed in a 40 degree

Celsius oven until the samples start to melt, the instant the tray is placed in the oven, the

timer starts and stops when the samples start to melt and then the time will be recorded.

A final test called, Ultimate Biodegradability will be done in order to test the

biodegradability of the water hyacinth bioplastic. This is done by first weighing the 3

different bioplastic samples, then leaving them in an environment that is at the standard

conditions for temperature and pressure. This will be done for 10 days, after which the weight

of the samples will be tested again. If the weight of the samples are lower than 10% than the

initial weight, then the sample is biodegradable.

Table 1.1​ Mixture of Water Hyacinth and Rice Starch Bioplastic

(Each sample is one mould from the tray of 12)
Independent Variable: Burnt Water Hyacinth Bioplastic Mixture
Sample in Number of Time to Time to melt in Mass after 10
grams weights before dissolve in a 40 degrees days
snapping water celsius oven

3
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Table 1.2​ Mixture of Water Hyacinth and Rice Starch Bioplastic

(Each sample is one mould from the tray of 12)
Independent Variable: Crushed Water Hyacinth Bioplastic Mixture
Sample in Number of Time to Time to melt in Mass after 10
grams weights before dissolve in a 40 degrees days
snapping water celsius oven

Table 1.3​ Mixture of Water Hyacinth and Rice Starch Bioplastic

(Each sample is one mould from the tray of 12)
Independent Variable: Emulsified Water Hyacinth Bioplastic Mixture
Sample in Number of Time to Time to melt in Mass after 10
grams weight before dissolve in a 40 degrees days
snapping water celsius oven

Analysis

For the Pilot Study, considering that the type of data to be obtained is qualitative, the

researchers will utilize Content Analysis and Thematic Analysis to interpret the data collected

through the interviews. This can be attributed to an Epistemological lens, wherein the

researchers attempt to distinguish the truth from the prior assumptions made about the

community, which is integral for the continued dialogue between the locals and the

researchers and the fostering of a culture of sustainability and environmental awareness in the

community. For the first step, Content Analysis, the transcripts and recordings of the
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interviews are analyzed, noting keywords, frequency of phrases, including the tone or

emotion wherein a statement is conveyed that are significant to the research questions

namely, signals of agreement or disagreement to the project proposed by the researchers. The

output of this analysis will be a graphic organizer such as a word cloud, with increasing font

size as the frequency of a word or phrase increases. Refer to the sample word cloud below.

Figure 2.1​ Sample Word Cloud

For Thematic Analysis, the data organized from Content Analysis is then grouped into

themes with the goal of sorting the responses into two categories, Agreement or

Disagreement, with their respective reasons for choosing one over the other. The output for

this step of data analysis will be a simple checklist with the reason for choosing their choice.

Refer to the sample checklist below.

Table 2.1​ Sample Checklist, output for Thematic Analysis

Participant Agree Disagree Reasons

1 X Helps the fishermen

2 X Damages water hyacinth population

3 X Effective pest repellent

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From the checklist, the researchers would be able to see the points of improvement for

the research, where the proposal needs tinkering in order to cater to the needs of the locals.

For the true experiment research design, each test’s data would be interpreted through

a Binomial Logistic Regression. This method of analysis allows the effect of the Water

Hyacinth additive on the traits of the bioplastic to be effectively quantified. The process of

analysis in each test is repeated, with only differences in the independent and dependent

variables.

The first step of the statistical analysis is to ensure that the data acquired is fit for

interpretation through Binomial Logistic Regression, for which the data has to pass 4

assumptions. This step is to ensure that the results are reliable and valid. The first assumption

is that the dependent variable is dichotomous, that is to say that it is of the pass/fail type,

wherein there are only two possible outcomes in the data. The second assumption is that the

independent variables can either be continuous (a measurement) or categorical (traits). The

third assumption is that the dependent variable has to be mutually exclusive (outcomes

cannot happen at the same time) and collectively exhaustive (encompass the entire range of

outcomes). The final assumption is that any continuous independent variable has a linear

relationship with the logit transformation of the dependent variable, a trait that can be

assessed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Once the data passes all

four assumptions, it is deemed fit to undergo Binomial Logistic Regression Analysis.

The next step, is to input the variables into the program, SPSS. The data for each test shall be

organized in a spreadsheet wherein the continuous variables are specified through numbers,

while the categorical variables are specified through either yes or no. The Binomial Logistic
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Regression Analysis option is then selected and the program outputs two main tables for

interpretation. The first table is Category Prediction, wherein the program gauges how likely

an event (pass or fail) is to occur as well as the ability of the Regression model to predict the

outcomes given values for the independent variables. The next table is Variables in the

Equation, wherein each independent variable’s statistical significance is measured, in

layman’s terms, it shows how much the independent variable affects the dependent variable.

Through the Variables in the Equation table, the effectivity of the water hyacinth additive can

be quantified, measured and thereby give the ability to formulate conclusions to its

effectivity. The table below will detail the variables to be used in each of the four tests.

Test Name Independent Independent Dependent

Variable 1 Variable 2 Variable

Tensile Strength Weights on the Presence of Water Broken/Intact

Test plastic Hyacinth

Water Resistance Time underwater Presence of Water Dissolved/Not

Test Hyacinth Dissolved

Heat Resistance Test Sun Exposure Time Presence of Water Melted/Not Melted
Hyacinth

Ultimate Presence of Water - 10% weight loss/ no

Biodegradability Hyacinth 10% weight loss
Table 2.2 Table of Independent and Dependent Variables for each Research Instrument
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Works Cited

Godwin, A. D. . Plasticizers. In Applied plastics engineering handbook. 2017. [accessed 2019

Oct 7, 2019]. Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323390408000250