RESEARCH JOURNAL # 5

Name: Venice Claire O. Cabili Date: November 11, 2019

Grade & Section: 8 – Adelfa Group # 2

USE OF PINEAPPLE PEELS AS ORGANIC STAIN REMOVAL AND

WHITENING AGENT ON FABRICS

ABSTRACT
This study involves the determination of the effect of pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel extract,
(with and without salt), on fabrics stained with grease, ink, hair dye, deodorant, mud,and rust. An
8” X 9” cotton white cloth was used. The fabric was smeared with the 0.01 g stain in the center,
(except for the deodorant where 4 strokes were applied). The different stained fabrics were set
aside for 10 hours, after which were treated with 5 grams each of Clorox, and pineapple extract
(with and without salt) for 10 to 20 minutes.
This study was limited to the conduct of visual observation. The ranking test was considered to
determine the degree of preference of stain removed. Results showed that removal of stains
depends on the possible reaction of specified stain against the chemical composition of anti-stain
solutions used. The effect of the above three solutions gave significant effect as stain removal.
Commercially available Clorox was used as the control. This was able to reduce most of the above
stains.
However, the degree of reduction depends on the stain. Pineapple waste extract (acid) and salt
(sodium chloride) were effective against rust, mud, and deodorant. The effect of the fabric
whitening was not noticeable from the three stain removal solutions due to the spread of smears
contributed by different stains in the fabrics.

INTRODUCTION
Stains are part of everyday life. There are more than 100 tough stains and effectivity of stain
removals depends on the kind of stain and the chemical reaction once it gets in contact with the
stain removal. These are some of the solvents that can be used for stains, such as oxidizing solvents
(hydrogen peroxide), reducing solvents (sodium hydrosulfite, sodium hypochlorite, and sodium
chloride), lacquer solvent, inert solvents, detergents, acids, etc. There are different commercially
available stain remover but consumers are not aware of its effectiveness and/or the kind of stains
that they are capable of removing. The common stain remover and bleaching agent is Clorox. The
active ingredient in Clorox, a popular commercialized stain remover, is sodium hypochlorite which
comes from seawater and breaks down into salt and water. Oxalic acid and acetic acid are cited as
possible stain removal when properly used (Consumer Guide, nd). Oxalic acid's main applications
include cleaning or bleaching, especially for the removal of rust (iron complexing agent). It acts
as rust removal agents due to its forming a stable, water-soluble salt with ferric. Fruits that contain
citric acid may act as stain removal. These are effective on fruit stains as “like dissolves like”.
However, its acid is considered a weaker acid than the oxalic acid. Concentration, pH, time and
temperature are the various conditions that affect the action of bleach on fabrics. Halvorson,
C.(nd), cited that vinegar with salt is effective against rust. Others cited that grass and ink are
removed by vinegar. Halvorson (nd) also mentioned that salt is recommended to remove grease,
ink,and deodorant. Investigative study (Mendoza, K, 2016) show that pineapple waste with baking
soda was effective as stain remover but needs scrubbing in order for the stain to disappear.
However, it was not made mention of the stains tested. The use of pineapple waste as stain remover
may be very applicable in the Philippines area, where pineapple is extensively cultivated. Some of
these areas are in the Northern Mindanao, SOCCKSARGEN (Southern Cotabato, Cotabato
Province, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City), Bukidnon, Bicol and CALABARZON
(Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon). Moreover, it is noted that the Philippines is the second
biggest pineapple-exporting country in the world next to Thailand. In 2009, 57,687 ha were planted
to the crop with a total production of 2,198,497. This means that more wastes are generated.
The use of pineapple waste is noteworthy, thus, this study focuses on the effect of acids from
pineapple wastes and salt on different common stains such as grease, printer ink, deodorant, hair
dye, mud, and rust. It also focuses on the degree of whitening once stain removal is applied.
Pineapple contains citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid and pantothenic acid. Filipinos who can't
afford commercialized stain remover could use waste materials such as pineapple waste.
Furthermore, stain remover is oftentimes not available in remote places. Hence, this study
considered acid as the main ingredient from pineapple wastes together with salt as a stain removal.
Clorox serves as a control. However, this paper is limited only to visual observations supported by
literature reviews. It is hypothesized (Ho) that there is no significant difference between and among
the three stain removers when treated in fabrics with grease, ink, deodorant, hair dye, mud or rust.

METHODOLOGY
1. Material Preparation and Pineapple Waste Profiling Commercially available Clorox with 52,
000 ppm sodium hypochlorite was used as one of the stain removals and/or bleaching agent which
served as the control. Other major agents used were pineapple peel extract (table ripe) with and
without salt.
Pineapple waste profile such as weights of pineapple peels, core, crown, pineapple peel extract,
core extract was gathered. Ten pineapples were used in this data gathering. Pure extract and extract
with salt were considered in this experiment. The ratio of pineapple peel extract with salt was 2
parts extract:1-part salt.
Procedures for preparing the pineapple extract. Two pineapples with almost the same size and
weight were washed and peeled. The pineapple wastes were weighed and chopped finely. After
chopping, the wastes were put inside a clean white cloth and squeezed to extract the juice.
The acidity of pineapple extract was analyzed using a pH Meter. Citric acid and oxalic acid were
analyzed using titratable acidity test (AOAC Official Method, 942.15, 19th ed., 2012).
The conduct of titratable analysis was sourced out from a recognized laboratory, the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST).

2. Preliminary Study
` The following types of stains were used in this study: grease, printer ink, hair dye, deodorant,
mud,and rust. Each stain weighing approximately 5 grams were spread in a 4” X 4” 100% cotton
cloth (white T-shirt). These were treated with chlorox, pineapple waste extract (with and without
salt).
3. Experimental Design and Procedure
3.1. Five yards of cotton cloth was purchased. These were measured and cut into 8” X 9” and used
as fabric to be stained. Each stainwas spread in each fabric as follows: grease (.01g), ink (.01g),
hair dye (.01g), deodorant (4 strokes), mud (.01g) and rust (.01grams).
3.2. Stains were allowed to stay in the cloth for 10 hours. The period of exposure to stain was
based on the actual practice that when the fabric isblemished it is not usually treated at once.
3.3After 10 hours, each cloth with stain was treated with approximately 5 grams each of
Clorox,purepineapple extract with salt (2:1) and pure pineapple extract without salt (both from
pineapple peels). The stained cloths were exposed to different stain remover for 10-20 minutes
after which was rinsed under running water.
Table 1 shows the experimental design. Two trials were conducted.

Table 1. Experimental design on determination of an effective stain remover and bleaching

agent

Treatments

Stains Chlorox Pineapple waste Pineapple waste

extract with salt extract without
salt
grease (.01g) XX XX XX
ink (.01g) XX XX XX
hair dye (.01g) XX XX XX
deodorant (4 strokes) XX XX XX
mud (.01g) XX XX XX
rust (.01grams) XX XX XX
Legend: XX – two trials conducted
3.4. Evaluation and Statistical Analysis
The removal of stain in the fabric and the effect as a whitening agent was evaluated by 20 panels
with 20/20 vision. Two trials were made using its visual observation.
The ranking was used to evaluate the preferred stain most removed with the least stain removed.
Kramers rank sum test was used to determine if there were differences between and among samples
on the stain removed. Annex A shows the questionnaire for ranking the most stained removed.
The effect of the different whitening agents was observed on the same stained fabrics by the same
twenty panelists. The treated fabric was subjected to visual observation by ranking the panel’s
preference: 1 as the most bleached and 3 as the least bleached. Kramers rank sum test was used to
determine if there were differences between and among the bleached fabric by preference. Annex
B shows the questionnaire for ranking the most preferred bleached fabric.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1. Pineapple Waste Extract Profile
The pineapple waste extract had an approximate pH of 4.9. The said pH falls within the normal
pH range of pineapple juice (3.5 to 5.2 pH). This exhibits less acidic juice. Maturity played a major
role in its high pH content. This means that it may contribute to a weaker acid. The pineapple
sample used was table ripe. It contains 0.39% citric acid and 0.254% oxalic acid. When the extract
was mixed with salt, it contains 0.366% and 0.235% citric acid and oxalic acid, respectively.
Forty-eight percent (48%) of the raw table ripe pineapple was the pineapple waste. The materials
used in this experiment was limited only in its peels which were 27% of the whole pineapple (as
purchased pineapple, AP). The core was not included since it could still be used as juice. The
extract to be used stain remover and/or bleaching was 7% of the As Purchased (AP). Table 2shows
the profile of table ripe pineapple.

Table 2. Table ripe pineapple profile

No Weight of Weight of Weight of Weight of Weight
Whole (in grams) Pineapple pineapple of
Pineapple, Peels Core Crown Total extract from extract Edible
AP peels(grams) from parts
(grams) core(grams)
1 1,600g 390g 110g 260g 400g 90g 40g 790g
2 1,600g 430g 130g 350g 910g 80g 50g 730g
3 1,700g 440g 110g 410g 960g 160g 50g 760g
4 1,650g 530g 130g 340g 1000g 90g 60g 730g
5 1,500g 430g 140g 230g 800g 140g 100g 750g
6 1,650g 420g 120g 330g 870g 130g 60g 740g
7 1,750g 450g 130g 120g 700g 115g 60g 830g
8 1,750g 530g 130g 70g 730g 170g 70g 600g
9 1,750g 490g 140g 100g 730g 120g 100g 800g
10 1,750g 430g 140g 340g 910g 150g 70g 780g
MEAN 1,670g 454 128 255 801g 126g 660g 751g
(27.2%) (7.7%) (15%) (48%) (7.4%) (39.5%) (45%)

2. Preliminary Study
The preliminary study conducted showed that the initial design of the experiment of using 5 g stain
to be spread in the fabric was too thick. Such concentration did not exhibit tare duction of stain.
Thus, only 0.01 g stain was spread in the fabric in the succeeding experiments.
3. Evaluation and Statistical Analysis
Table 3shows the results of the ranking based on preference on stains from most removed to least
removed (lower scores represent most removed). This Table shows that fabrics stained with grease,
ink and hair dye and treated with Clorox were significantly preferred to have reduced the above
stains versus pineapple extract with and without salt. Annex C shows that Clorox reduced the
stains. The pH of Clorox was around 12 thus the stain was loosened by the solvents/mixtures. The
stain consisting of molecule chains may have been broken
down by the stain removal into smaller pieces which caused the spread in the fabric but with time
and exposure to constant washing and stain removal, the stain may disappear.
Deodorant stain could be decreased by pineapple waste with salt and result of statistical analysis
(Kramers Rank Sum test) showed that there was a significant preference in terms of stain reduction
when compared with the other two (2) stain removers. This was followed by pineapple waste
without salt. This may be due to the loosening of stain made by the different stain remover but
eventually stains maybe be reduced in the succeeding washing. The mud stains could be reduced
with the application of pineapple waste without salt. The said stain removal was the most reduced
stain on the fabric. Lastly, the majority of the rust was removed by pineapple waste without salt.
Most probably the active and effective ingredient was the acid. Contrary to the photo in Annex C,
Table 3 exhibited that results of statistical treatment showed pineapple extract with salt was the
least removed

Table 3. Ranking on most preferred stain removal

Stains Treatments Statistical
Chlorox Pineapple Pineapple Result
waste extract waste extract Kramers rank
with salt without salt sum test
5% 32 – 48
1% 30 - 50

grease (.01g) 20* 56* 40 nonsignificant

ink (.01g) 20* 45 55* nonsignificant
hair dye (.01g) 26* 48 46 significant
deodorant (4 54* 24* 42 significant
strokes)

mud (.01g) 53* 39* 28* significant

rust (.01grams) 37 56* 27* significant

Legend: * Significant at 1% level (the least value with asterisk show the most preferred reduction
of stain, the highest value with asterisk showed the least preferred in terms of stain reduction)
The same fabrics stained by the different materials were also used in evaluating the effect of Clorox
and pineapple waste with or without salt as bleaching salt. The effect of the different solutions as
whitening agents could not be evaluated because different stains smeared after each treatment.
Whitening of fabrics could not be visibly detected as shown in Annex C. Result of Kramer’ rank
sum test (Table 4) shows that there was no significant preference between thetwo stain removal
solutions when treated on grease and ink.
However, the same Table shows that there wasa significant preferenceon hair dye treated with
Clorox, deodorant treated with pineapple extract with salt, mud,and rust treated with pineapple
extract without salt.
Table 4. Ranking on stain most preferred bleach
Stains Treatments Statistical
Chlorox Pineapple Pineapple Result
waste extract waste extract Kramers rank
with salt without salt sum test
5% 32 – 48
1% 30 - 50
grease (.01g) 32 40 48 nonsignificant
ink (.01g) 35 38 47 nonsignificant
hair dye (.01g) 30* 48 42 significant
deodorant (4 50 27* 43 significant
strokes)
mud (.01g) 44 46 30* significant
rust (.01grams) 37 53* 30* significant

CONCLUSION
There was a significant preference for the effects of Clorox, pineapple waste with and without salt
between and among samples for all stains. The most preferred for stain removal for grease, ink
and hair dye was the Clorox, deodorant- pineapple waste extract with salt, and mud and rust –
pineapple without salt. As fora whitening agent, panelist did not find any difference in fabrics with
grease and ink. However, panelists significantly preferred Clorox as a bleaching agent on fabrics
with hair dye, pineapple extract with salt on fabric with deodorant, and pineapple extract without
salt on fabrics with mud and rust.

RECOMMENDATION
1. The formulation and procedure should be disseminated as a livelihood project specifically in
the areas where pineapple abounds. However, more trials should be conducted to further validate
results.
2. Other stains should be tested with the pineapple waste extract.
3. Further study should be conducted on the reasons of the reaction between and among basic
solutions (Clorox), acid (pineapple waste extract) and sodium chloride.
4. Standardize time of treatment of stain removals. Method of washing should be further improved
and should be based on a scientific background, including the period of exposure.
5. Monitor the shelf life of the pineapple waste extract.
6. TESDA students should develop their critical analysis in conducting other research and
development in the above areas.
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Consumer Guide (ND) Stain Removing Chemicals - Stain Removal Tools | HowStuff
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https://home.howstuffworks.com
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organizing/uses-for-vinegar-doing-laundry-ga1.htm
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 GLOSSARY

1. Ananas Comosus - tropical plant with an edible fruit, also called a pineapple, and the
most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae.

2. Smeared - coat or mark (something) messily or carelessly with a greasy or sticky

substance.

3. Clorox - an American global manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional

products.

4. Oxalic Acid - an organic compound with the formula C2H2O4. It is a colorless

crystalline solid that forms a colorless solution in water.

5. Acetic Acid - also called ethanoic acid, the most important of the carboxylic acids. A
dilute (approximately 5 percent by volume) solution of acetic acid produced by
fermentation and oxidation of natural carbohydrates is called vinegar; a salt, ester, or
acylal of acetic acid is called acetate.

6. Sodium Hypochlorite - a chemical compound with the formula NaOCl or NaClO,

comprising a sodium cation and a hypochlorite anion.

7. Citric Acid - a weak organic acid that has the chemical formula C ₆H ₈O ₇. It occurs
naturally in citrus fruits.

8. Ascorbic Acid - as ascorbic acid and ascorbate, is a vitamin found in various foods and
sold as a dietary supplement.

9. Pantothenic Acid - also called vitamin B₅, is a water-soluble vitamin. Pantothenic acid
is an essential nutrient.

10. Titratable Acidity Test – used this to expressed as grams of tartaric acid per 100 ml.

11. Rank Sum - an alternative that can be applied when distributional assumptions are
suspect.

12. Molecule - a particle made up of two or more atoms that are chemically bonded
together; the number of atomic nuclei making up a molecule is a determinate number.