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Capstone official 1-2 - One reason that we chose taro (c. esculenta), is that because it is abundant
Practical Research 1 (PR1)
West Visayas State University
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Chapter I INTRODUCTION Background of the Study The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive world demand of personal protective equipment (PPE) every day (Daniel et al., & Suwardi et al., 2021). Wearing a face mask in public places has become the norm in most countries as an effective and low-cost method of controlling the spread of this coronavirus. In recent studies conducted by Mungcal et al., (2021) and Xu et al., (2021) estimated that an astounding 129 billion (roughly 451,500 tons) face masks being used and disposed each month globally, which when placed next to one another, could cover an area roughly three times the size of Singapore. Currently, there is no official guidance on mask recycling. Those discarded masks, the vast majority of which were single-use disposable masks, have become a catastrophic disaster for both the land and marine environments (Benson et al., 2021). Generally, disposable surgical or medical face masks consist of three or four layers of nonwoven fabrics produced by spun bonding and melt-blowing manufacturing processes, or by emerging electrospinning or texturized film extrusion technologies (Chellamani et al., 2013 & Pan et al., 2020). The researchers like Chua et. al., (2020) & Abbasi et al., (2020) found out that these fabrics, which are prevalently microfibers derived from petroleum based non-degradable polymers (including polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyacrylonitrile, etc.) can generate a large number of micro sized particles more easily compared with those bulk plastic wastes, and further fragment into nano plastics that disperse into ecosystems. It is therefore
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imperative to recognize this looming environmental threat and start planning for sustainable approaches so as to reduce the impacts while meeting the huge mask demand during this pandemic.
The general public and government have already begun to investigate alternative solutions including the reuse, reprocessing, and disinfection of approved disposable masks, as well as the production of biodegradable masks and homemade or non-certified masks (Rubio-Romero et al., 2020). One way to design a biodegradable mask is to use multilayered cloth masks with the use both hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers, with the former acting to prevent water and aerosol buildup on the mask, and the latter aiding in attracting and adhering droplets to the filter (Steven et al., 2020). Based on available evidence, the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) recommends that the general public should wear cloth masks with two or more layers to limit the spread of COVID-19.
For a long time, the hydrophobicity property of many plant leaves have been known. Since 1970s, scientists knew that the water repellency of the plant leaves is due to their microstructure. The outer cells which cover plant leaves are called epidermis cells. The epidermis cells themselves are covered by a composite membrane called cuticle which built up of a hydrophobic wax and a cutin network (Barthlot and Neinhuis, 1997). Koch et al., (2009) showed that waxes diffuse through the cuticle via a lipidic pathway. If this wax is removes, the plants repair it by self-assembly.
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cloth and cotton multilayers are effective alone, inclusion of an additional hydrophobic repelling layer is recommended to prevent wicking transport for higher volume threats. One of the important characteristics of a mask is the hydrophobic layer, which repels water that enables masks to protect users from possible transmission of COVID-19 and other pathogens (Shakeel et al., 2021). Likewise, masks and respirators made of or coated with water-resistant materials are more effective against large virus-laden respiratory droplets and fluid spills.
The hydrophobic mask hence attained could be used to enhance reusable cotton masks and may be a good alternative to single-use masks. In addition to water resistance or hydrophobic nature, the most important advantage of this product will be that it will be completely biodegradable, and the time required for degradation will also very less due to its organic nature. Further, Colocasia esculenta is highly abundant in nature so harvesting it’s leaves to turn into wax wouldn’t hurt the environment. It is positioned at rank fourteenth among the stapled vegetable crops of the world and global production is about 12 million tonnes from approximately 2 million hectares which gives an average yield of 6 tonne per hectare (Rao et. al., 2010). Because of its abundance, the leaf has the potential to be used as a raw material in industry.
In early 2020, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) challenge everyone regarding the environmental impact of disposable face masks. Currently, research and development activities are still ongoing to explore the feasibility and efficiency of bio- based mask materials. Although many plants were investigated, but as for taro leaves, few studies have been conducted. The lack of findings in the literature regarding the
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hydrophobicity of Colocasia esculanta, which can be a primary factor considered for protection in face masks has led the researchers that further research is required to investigate the effectiveness and impact of this type of alternative that is not yet understood and practiced by all people.
Are these biodegradable face masks truly the solution to reducing the plastic waste brought about by the huge consumption of disposal face masks? This study focuses on the feasibility of using wax from the heart-shaped taro leaf (Colocasia Esculenta) as a hydrophobic coating for reusable face mask fabric. Furthermore, this study will contribute to the development of research in the physical science. Thus, this will serve as contribution in opening new doors, additional knowledge and findings about what is behind the taro leaf.
Statement of the Problem This study aimed to produce hydrophobic mask from the wax of Colocasia esculenta (taro leaf). Specifically, this study tried to determine the following:
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Science. This study will contribute to the development of research in the physical science and will serve as contribution in opening new doors and additional knowledge and findings about what is behind the Taro leaf. Future Innovations. This present research contributes to the current post of knowledge and served as a springboard for future studies and experiments parallel to this. Scope and Delimitation
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the abundancy and hydrophobic properties present in the leaves of the plant Colocasia Esculenta (L.) Leaf Bio-Wax as well as its activity as a hydrophobic coating for face mask fabric, as to whether the bio wax can increase the life span and effectiveness of reusable face masks. The study will be conducted in the Instrumentation Laboratory of the College of Pharmacy in Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, situated in San Carlos City, Pangasinan. The study started in the month of March 2022 and will end in May 2022. If it is approved, the researchers will proceed, and the whole research can be finished in two months. This study used the isolated bio-wax layer of the leaves by using an organic solvent extraction method using chloroform and coating it on to the surface of the mask as a test for hydrophobicity. This study required the surface of Colocasia esculenta (L.) (taro) leaf to be covered with a layer of highly hydrophobic bio-wax as part of the control procedures in experimental studies meant to minimize, if not eliminate, confounding biases. Collection of data was done through various tests such as
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quantitative analysis, observation, and biochemical measurements. Hence, the study will be conducted with a limited amount of financial resources and timeframe.
Chapter II CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE This chapter provides an overview of what has been written about taro leaves. These include information relevant to the research problem at hand that were synthesized to infer relationships among the various literatures and studies reviewed herein. The scholarly works provided in this section were adopted from the renowned authors conducting similar studies on taro (Colocasia esculenta). The intellectual contributions of these people in the world of academics and academic research were explored to substantiate the present research study on hydrophobic reusable facemask fabric using the wax extracted from taro leaves.
Conceptual Framework
Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) LeafBio-wax as a Hydrophobic Re-usable Facemask fabric Coating
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absorption time in water compared to samples with no coating. The potential of this is it increases the life span and effectiveness of reusable face masks.
Null Hypothesis
Definition of Terms This section provides operational definition of terms to provide the basic idea of how the variables and processes involved operate and the conceptual definition to explain how they are related to other constructs. Hydrophobic. This means lacking affinity for water, and tending to repel or not to absorb water. In this study. It refers to the hydrophobicity that will be used in coating the Facemask fabric to be able to increase the life span of re-usable face mask.
Taro leaves (Colocasia Esculenta). A large-leaved tropical Asian plant (Colocasia esculenta). In this study. It refers to the heart shaped leaves that will be used in extracting bio-wax for hydrophobic re-usable Facemask fabric
Covid-19. An acute respiratory illness in humans caused by a coronavirus, capable of producing severe symptoms and in some cases death, especially in older people and those with underlying health conditions. It was originally identified in China
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in 2019 and became pandemic in 2020 this study, it refers to the most recently discovered infectious disease.
Facemask. A protective mask covering the nose and mouth or nose and eyes. In this study. It refers to reusable fabric face masks made with taro leaves wax, giving them a longer absorption time in water compared to one with no coating.
. Review of Related Literature The sight of discarded masks littering pavements, beaches, and roadside verges has become a universal symbol of the ongoing pandemic around the world. The most essential piece of personal protective equipment is a face mask (Wu et al., 2020). They act as a physical barrier, preventing droplets from entering the nose and mouth. Their role is particularly important during COVID-19 when carriers can become infected asymptomatically (Chua et al., 2020). During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2020, the global face mask market increased from 0 to approximately 166 billion USD (Chowdhury et al., 2021)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) study, in USA about 89 million medical masks are anticipated to be required to respond the COVID-19 as this crisis is likely to persist for some time (Xiang et al., 2020). This demand has resulted in an unprecedented rise in the global production of face masks which are produced using polymeric materials. Major players in face mask production have therefore scaled up their output. For instance, as of the end of April 2020, China has raised its daily
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25 grams per square meter (gsm) in density. It can also be made of other synthetic fibers like polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polyester. It should only be used once and discarded properly after each use, which contributes to plastic or microplastic pollution in the environment (Akber et al., 2020). This indicates that current ongoing pandemic, increases the environmental pollution and negative impact to human and animal health.
Plastic-based medical equipment have emerged as a life-savior for protecting the health and safety of the frontline health workers and the common citizens in the time of the pandemic. However, an equitable assessment is required, weighing all of the benefits and drawbacks of plastics, their management or mismanagement, and their fate in the environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, disposable masks have been described as a "menace" because of the plastic they contain (Cowan et al., 2021). They all enter the sea through the land, posing a significant threat to marine fauna and flora as well as humans. In order to address these environmental threats, it is imperative to begin planning for environmentally friendly alternatives and sustainable approaches in combating infectious disease while meeting the massive mask demand during this pandemic.
In contrast to close proximity disposable masks, cloth preventative masks are much more environmentally friendly due to their long shelf life. Their durability makes them optimal for asymptomatic individuals to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while decreasing their personal waste. However, several studies have been conducted to examine the efficacy of cloth masks as as protective equipment against diseases. A study
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conducted in Vietnam and published in 2015 compared the efficacy of cloth masks to medical masks in hospital healthcare workers (HCWs). Randomized groups of HCWs were provided with a medical mask or cloth mask. Rates of infections were measured and results revealed that the higher rates of infection were observed in the group that used cloth masks. Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection. As a precautionary measure, cloth masks should not be recommended for HCWs during high-risk situations. (MacIntyre et al., 2015). In another study conducted in Netherlands, the cloth masks should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but it would be better than no protection (Davies, et al., 2013).
Several types of commercially available cloth masks offer different degrees of protection, but most are hydrophilic and ineffective when wet. Research indicates that if a mask gets wet, its effectiveness in blocking water spatter or accommodating proper respiration decreases (Anon, 2020). In the contrary, Rajneesh et al., (2020) found out that making masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) with hydrophilic surfaces, where droplets of coronavirus spread out and dry faster, could reduce infection risk.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took a proactive stance in mid-April to encourage the general public to use cloth face masks. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued interim guidelines for the use of multi-layered textile fabrics as masks to combat COVID-19. The non-medical or non- surgical masks specifically designed for the general public or low-risk individuals can be made of a variety of fabric arrangements in various layering sequences. The WHO
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In 2013, Nasri and associates conducted their research entitled “Hydrophobicity Characterization of Bio-Wax Derived from Taro Leaf for Surface Coating Applications” clearly confirmed the presence of 1octacosanol as a major component in taro wax, which is responsible for taro wax's hydrophobicity properties. They also found out that hydrophobic surfaces in biological form can easily be found on plant leaf.
Kalitan and Talukdar conducted research at Assam downtown University in India titled “Colocasia Esculenta (L.) Leaf Bio-Wax as a Hydrophobic Surface Coating Substance for Paper for Preparing Hydrophobic Paper Bags” the leaves of the Colocasia esculenta plant are abundantly available and its bio-wax possesses high hydrophobic property. Thus, results showed the bio-wax of taro leaf could be used as a surface coating substance for papers that can be used to make biodegradable hydrophobic paper bags.
Furthermore, Manish et al. (2011) investigate the wetting characteristic and droplet impact dynamics on taro leaf. On taro leaf, they use three tests: scanning electron microscopic images, static, advancing, and receding angle measurements, and photolithography techniques. The results revealed that taro leaf has remarkable superhydrophobic and water repellent properties.
Various types of commonly produced face masks provide varying degrees of protection, but they all have the adverse effects mentioned in the studies above. First, disposable face masks are discarded everywhere that release chemical pollutants and nano-plastics that harms the environment. Second, it is not cost effective in the long run because it is impractical to buy cheap face masks on a daily basis rather than using a
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long-lasting one. Lastly, the CDC recommends fabric masks that are water absorbent. However, the moisture retention, the reuse of cloth masks, and poor filtration could put person’s health at risk.
In response to the time-sensitive need for alternative face masks, the researchers identified significant properties that the public can use in production of face masks. First, eco-friendly face mask is necessity to reduce the aggravates the environment due to increased face masks waste during COVID-19 pandemic. Second, it should be reusable to solve the economical problem in terms of practicality. Lastly, A lot of research found out that the Colocasia Esculenta leaves shows remarkable super hydrophobicity and water repellent properties. So it is possible to use as a hydrophobic layer in mask, which repels water, that enables masks to protect users from possible transmission of COVID-19 and other pathogens.
Capstone official 1-2 - One reason that we chose taro (c. esculenta), is that because it is abundant
Course: Practical Research 1 (PR1)
University: West Visayas State University
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