Region I

Alaminos City Division

The Possibility of Kamias

KARREN T. REYES
Researcher

VIVIAN R.CAMBA
Research Adviser

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page …………………………………………………………………… .... i

Research Plan.....………………………………………………………………… ii

Acknowledgement ……...……………………………………………………… iii

Title Page …………………………………………………………………….….. 1

Table of Contents …………………………………………………….…...……2-3

Abstract …………………………………………………………….…………… 4

CHAPTER

I. INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study ……………………………………………….... 5

Statement of the Problem ………………………………….……………... 6

Statement of the Hypotheses ....…………………………………………... 6

Objectives of the Study ……………………………………………………7

Significance of the Study …………………………………..…………….. 8

Scope and Limitations ………………………………………..…………... 8

Definition of Terms and Variables ……………………………….…… 9-10

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ……………………….…….11-16

III. METHODOLOGY

Materials and Instruments ……………………………………………... 18

Gathering of Materials …………………………………………….…… 19

2
 Preparation of Treatments ………..……………………………….…… 19

Extraction of the Kamias ………………………………………….…… 19

Collection of Plastics …………………………………………………... 20

Cutting the plastics into strips …………………………………...……... 20

Weighing of the plastic strips before the application of treatments .…... 20

Preparation of Treatments ……………………………………………... 20

Application of Extract ………………………………………….…….... 20

Exposure of Treatments …...…………………...…....……………….... 20

Data Gathering …………………………………………………….…... 21

Testing for the significance of data gathered ……………………….… 21

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ………………………………..…... 22-27

V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusions ………………………………………………………....… 28

Recommendations …………..……………………………………….. ..28

BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………...… 28

APPENDICES ……..……………………………………………………...… 28

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 ABSTRACT

Plastics have lots of bad effects in our environment. That’s why, this study sought to

determine the effect of kamias fruit extract on the weight of the different types of plastics; Low-

Density Polyethylene (LDPE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyethylene

Terephthalate (PET) plastics.

Specifically, it aims to (1) determine the effects of kamias fruit extract on the reduction of

weights of the different types of plastics; LDPE, HPDE, and PET. (2) determine the significant

difference on the weight of the different types of plastics; LDPE, HDPE, and PET. (3) Determine

what type of plastic the highest weight has reduced.

The four treatments were prepared. First treatment was the control treatment and the three

treatments were evaluated by the difference types of plastics (a) LDPE (b) HDPE (c) PET. The

kamias fruit was pounded and squeezed using a thin cloth to obtain the extract. Then the extracts

were placed in nine vials. The weight of LDPE, HDPE, and PET plastics were obtained and were

soaked in twelve vials. After twenty (20) days of exposure, the weight of the different types of

plastics was obtained.

Results of the study revealed that (1) kamias fruit extract is effective in decomposing

Low-Density Polyethylene and High-Density Polyethylene plastics. (2) There is a significant

difference on the weight of Low-Density Polyethylene plastic. (3) There is a weight reduction in

Low-Density Polyethylene and High-Density Polyethylene plastics. (4) Low-Density

Polyethylene has the highest weight reduced, and (5) kamias fruit extract can be a possible

decomposing agent in Low-Density Polyethylene plastics

4
 Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Waste materials can be seen everywhere. The most common of this garbage are the

plastics. Plastics are part of our daily lives. However, that doesn’t mean they are safe and

harmless. Plastic bags are very popular with both retailers as well as consumers for they are

cheap, lightweight, handy and useful. Once they are used, most bags go into landfill. Every year

more and more bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become trash, plastic

bags find their way into our waterways and streets that causes different tragedy and catastrophe.

And if they are burned, they also harm the ozone layer.

On the other hand, kamias is abundant in our country. It is often overlooked by most of

us, though some people still used kamias for culinary and medicinal uses. A lot of people didn’t

know that kamias has many other uses. It helps in curing constipation, liver and gallbladder

problems, and other stomach disorders. Most importantly, it has the capability to reduce the

weight of specific plastics that damages the nature.

The researcher aimed to lessen these waste materials for the reason that the researcher

want to save the earth.

B. Statement of the Problem

This research study aimed to determine the efficacy of kamias fruit extract in

decomposing different types of plastic.

Specifically, the study aimed to answer the following questions:

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1. Can the extract of kamias fruit extract decompose plastic?

2. Is there a significant difference between the initial weight and final weight of:

a) Low-Density Polyethylene Plastic

b) High-Density Polyethylene Plastic and

c) Polyethylene Terephthalate

3. What type of plastic can be best decomposed by kamias fruit extract?

B. Statement of the Hypotheses

This study was directed by the following hypotheses:

Alternative Hypotheses:

1. It is possible that kamias fruit extract can decompose plastic.

2. There is a significant difference between the initial weight and final weight of

a) Low-Density Polyethylene Plastic

b) High-Density Polyethylene Plastic and

c) Polyethylene Terephthalate

3. There is a significant difference of the reduction on the final weight of the different

types of plastics after exposure to kamias fruit extract.

Null Hypotheses:

1. It is not possible that kamias fruit extract can decompose plastic.

2. There is no significant difference between the initial weight and final weight of

6
 a) Low-Density Polyethylene Plastic

b) High-Density Polyethylene Plastic and

c) Polyethylene Terephthalate

3. There is no significant difference of the reduction on the final weight of the different

types of plastics after exposure to kamias fruit extract.

C. Objectives of the Study

Generally, this study aimed to determine the effects kamias fruit extract on the reduction

of weights of different types of plastics and its potential as decomposing agent.

Specifically, it sought to discover the following:

a) Investigate the effect of the kamias fruit extract on the weights of different type of

plastics, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene and polyethylene

terephthalate plastic strips.

b) Compare the weight reduction of the different types of plastic strips after 20 days of

exposure to kamias fruit extract.

c) Discover the type of plastic which with the most to reduce weight.

D. Significance of the Study

Plastics take a long time to disintegrate. During its degrading process, poisonous and

harmful chemicals have been released which could harm our environment.

This endeavor has a great help in our community, locality, nation, and global.

To the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, it will help them reduce

plastics in our community and the pollution will be evaded.

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 For the Local Government Unit of Alaminos City, this alternative way in decomposing

plastics can minimize the yearly expenses in waste management in our locality.

To the citizens, a cleaner and better environment with a plastic-free community can be

achieved.

The researcher’s study will test the efficacy of Kamias as a natural plastic decomposer in

order to lessen the number of plastics that harms the environment.

E. Scope and Limitations

The study focused on the potential use of kamias fruit extract as natural plastic

decomposer. Three types of plastics will be used; low-density polyethylene, high-density

polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate plastic. These plastics will be cut into 2 by 2 inches.

In every type of plastics, there will be 3 cut strips. The cut plastic strips will be used and will be

observed for 20 days.

Kamias fruit will be the only variable intended to be extracted and no other substance

added. The treatments will be differed on the type of plastics involve. There will be 4 treatments;

control set-up will be labeled as treatment 1; Low-Density Polyethylene will be labeled as

treatment 2; High-Density Polyethylene will be labeled as treatment 3; and Polyethylene

Terephthalate will be labeled as treatment 4. Each treatment will have three trials. The kamias

extract will be applied to the strip cut low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene and

polyethylene terephthalate plastic for twenty (20) days. Before and after the experiment, initial

and final weight of the 3 experimental plastic will be taken with the use of analytical balance and

will be analyzed by the researcher. Only the changes of weight before and after the experiment

8
are to be analyzed. Testing of the experiment was done in the Alaminos City National High

School Science Laboratory.

Definition of Terms and Variables

This study used the following terms and variables and was defined operationally.

ANOVA (One-Way-Analysis of Variance). It is a statistical tool used in comparing the

means of two or more independent groups.

Sources of Degrees of Sum of Mean of F-Value

K-1
Within Group

(N-1)-(K-1)
Total N-1

Plastic. Is a material consisting of any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic

organics that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects of diverse shapes which takes a

long time to decompose.

Kamias. A fruit-bearing tree of the genus Averrhoa, family Oxalidaceae and a close

relative ofcarambola tree.

Decomposition. The process by which organic substances are broken down into a much

simpler form of matter.

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 Scheffe’s Test. It refers to the statistical tool used to find out where the significant

differences lie. The study used this tool if in case the interpretation in the results of ANOVA is

significant.

The formula is:

(X 1−X 2 )2
F=
SW 2 (n1 +n 1)
n1 n 2

Where: ℱ = Scheffe’s Test

X1 = mean of group one

X2 = mean of group two

n1 = number of samples in group one

n2 = number of samples in group two

SW2 = within mean squares

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 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

PLASTICS

Plastic is a material consisting of any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic

organics that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects of diverse shapes. Plastics are

typically organic polymers of high molecular mass, but they often contain other substances. They

are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but many are partially

natural. Plasticity is the general property of all materials that are able to irreversibly deform

without breaking, but this occurs to such a degree with this class of moldable polymers that their

name is an emphasis on this ability.

From daily tasks to our most unusual needs, plastics have increasingly provided the

performance characteristics that fulfill consumer needs at all levels. Plastics are used in such a

wide range of applications because they are uniquely capable of offering many different

properties that offer consumer benefits unsurpassed by other materials. They are also unique in

that their properties may be customized for each individual end use application.

Due to their relatively low cost, ease of manufacture, versatility, and imperviousness to

water, plastics are used in an enormous and expanding range of products, from paper clips to

spaceships. They have already displaced many traditional materials, such as wood, stone, horn

and bone, leather, paper, metal, glass, and ceramic, in most of their former uses. In developed

countries, about a third of plastic is used in packaging and another third in buildings such as

piping used in plumbing or vinyl siding. Other uses include automobiles (up to 20% plastic),

furniture, and toys. In the developing world, the ratios may be different - for example, reportedly

11
42% of India's consumption is used in packaging. Plastics have many uses in the medical field as

well, to include polymer implants, however the field of plastic surgery is not named for use of

plastic material, but rather the more generic meaning of the word plasticity in regards to the

reshaping of flesh.

The world's first fully synthetic plastic was bakelite, invented in New York in 1907 by

Leo Baekeland who coined the term 'plastics'. Many chemists contributed to the materials

science of plastics, including Nobel laureate Hermann Staudinger who has been called "the

father of polymer chemistry" and Herman Mark, known as "the father of polymer physics". The

success and dominance of plastics starting in the early 20th century led to environmental

concerns regarding its slow decomposition rate after being discarded as trash due to its

composition of very large molecules. Toward the end of the century, one approach to this

problem was met with wide efforts toward recycling.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PLASTICS

A sea change in building technology arrived in the 1950s with the “Age of Plastic.”

Industrial development of fossil fuels into a wide array of plastics changed formulations in

everything from insulation to mechanicals to paint, and plastic is still a ubiquitous component of

every building assembly. Unfortunately, the impacts of plastic production in its many forms are

heavy in every phase of its life cycle. While there is a common general understanding that

plastics have negative ecological associations, a closer understanding of what types of plastics

create what types of impacts will empower us to improve the toxic footprint of our buildings.

Plastics are not inherently bad, and they have many redeeming ecological features; in

fact, many of the techniques we utilize in our designs involve targeted use of plastic products.

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Their durability and low maintenance reduce material replacement, their light weight reduces

shipping energy, their formulation into glue products allows for the creation of engineered

lumber and sheet products from recycled wood, and their formulation into superior insulation

and sealant products improves the energy performance of our structures.

The feedstock of plastic is primarily petroleum- or natural-gas-derived, although bio-

plastics are making inroads in the overall market share of plastic products. Obvious issues

emerge regarding the finite amount of available petroleum resources, as well as the pollution

associated with oil extraction and refinement; the massive Gulf Coast oil spill of 2010 is only

one of the more notorious of the many ecologically devastating accidents that are not frequently

considered in addition to the standard pollution impacts of extraction and refinement, which are

extensive.

Toxic chemical release during manufacture is another significant source of the negative

environmental impact of plastics. A whole host of carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and hormone-

disruptive chemicals are standard ingredients and waste products of plastic production, and they

inevitably find their way into our ecology through water, land, and air pollution. Some of the

more familiar compounds include vinyl chloride (in PVC), dioxins (in PVC), benzene (in

polystyrene), phthalates and other plasticizers (in PVC and others), formaldehyde, and

bisphenol-A, or BPA (in polycarbonate). Many of these are persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

—some of the most damaging toxins on the planet, owing to a combination of their persistence

in the environment and their high levels of toxicity. These are discussed in greater detail later in

this chapter as a consideration of human health; however, their unmitigated release into the

environment affects all terrestrial and aquatic life with which they come into contact.

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PLASTIC DECOMPOSTION

Plastic is an umbrella term used to describe any number of synthetic materials that can be

molded into shape while soft and turn rigid. The first plastic material to hit the market was

bakelite, which was invented by chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907, and from that point on--thanks

to low cost and versatility--society was forever changed. Since plastics are not natural, bacteria

don't digest them, and and they don't biodegrade. They just degrade from being exposed to things

like UV radiation and friction from oceanic currents. By definition, for something to be

biodegradable, it needs to be broken down by bacteria or other living organisms.

Most plastics are not readily biodegradable, especially when buried in the ground away

from sources of oxygen. Many can be decomposed partially by photodecomposition in the

presence of sunlight, however. This results in the plastic materials breaking up into tiny

fragments.

Although standard polyethylene bags don’t biodegrade, the molecules in them become

brittle and start to crack when the bags are exposed to ultraviolet light. But it could take hundreds

to thousands of years for this to happen under normal sunlight conditions.

Oxo-biodegradable plastic bags are made from petroleum products, just like polyethylene

bags. They initially fragment when exposed to air and sunlight. This typically takes three to four

months. Later, when placed in a landfill, the fragments are decomposed by bacteria in the soil. It

takes from 12 to 18 months for the fragments to be converted into carbon dioxide, water, and

humus.

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 Plastic products are very common in our modern life. According to an estimate, every

year we use approximately 1.6 million barrels of oil just for producing plastic water bottles.

Plastic waste is one of many types of wastes that take too long to decompose.

KAMIAS

Kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi) is a small tree growing 5 to 12 meters high. Leaves are

pinnate, 20-60 cm long, with hairy rachis and leaflets. Leaflets are opposite, 10 to 17 pairs,

oblong, 5 to 10 cm in length. Flowers, about 1.5 cm long, and slightly fragrant. Fruit, green and

edible, about 4 cm long, subcylindric with 5 obscure, broad, rounded, longitudinal lobes.

In Malaysia, it is called belimbing asam; in Indonesia, it is belimbing besu; in Thailand, it

is taling pling, or kaling pring. To the French it is carambolier bilimbi, or cornichon des Indes.

Filipinos generally call it kamias but there are about a dozen other native names.

One of nature’s unappreciated fruits is the kamias or bilimbi. The sour fruit is a natural

source of vitamins B and C, iron, phosphorus and antioxidants. Its other amazing benefits: Its

leaves relieve coughing, thrush, hemorrhoids, stings, itches, pimples and skin eruptions. Its fruits

can control gastrointestinal bleeding in the stomach, fight cholesterol, fever and inflammation,

and prevent cough, beriberi and scurvy.

Origin and Distribution, perhaps a native of the Moluccas, the bilimbi is cultivated

throughout Indonesia; is cultivated and semi-wild everywhere in the Philippines; is much grown

in Ceylon and Burma. It is very common in Thailand, Malaya and Singapore; frequent in gardens

across the plains of India, and has run wild in all the warmest areas of that country.

15
 Most efforts at grafting and budding have not been rewarding, though Wester had success

in shield-budding, utilizing non-petioled, ripe, brown budwood cut 1 1/2 to 2 in (3.8-5 cm) long.

Air-layering has been practiced in Indonesia for many years. However, the tree is more widely

grown from seed. Kamias trees are vigorous and receive no special horticultural attention. It has

been suggested that they would respond well to whatever cultural treatment.

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 Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Gathering of Materials
(Kamias extract, LDPE, Preparation of Treatments
HDPE, PET plastics, pair of (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4)
scissors, vials, funnel, syringe,
pair of scissors)

Collection of Plastics Extraction of the Kamias

Application of Treatments Exposure of Treatments

Evaluating Results Data Gathering

17
A. Materials

The research will use the following materials to obtain the data for the study:

Kamias fruit extract. The extract will be obtained after pounding the kamias and

obtaining the liquid part. This will be applied to different type of plastics. It will be tested if it is

effective in decomposing plastic.

Thin cloth. The thin cloth will be measured 15 by 15 inches. It will be used to extract the

tamarind by squeezing it hardly.

Graduated cylinders. These instruments will be used to measure the treatments of the

kamias extract at the same time serve as a container for the extract.

Funnel. It will be placed over the top of graduated cylinder to deliver the extract and

prevent leakage while extracting the kamias.

Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate

plastic. These materials will serve as experimental variables to know the effectiveness of kamias

extract in decomposing plastics,

Pair of Scissors. This material will be used to cut the plastics into strips.

Analytical balance. This instrument will be used to measure the initial and final weight

of the different type of plastics.

Triple beam balance. This instrument will be used to measure the weight of kamias.

Vials. These instruments will be used in testing the experiment. The extract will be

poured and strip-cut plastic will be soaked here.

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 Syringe. This instrument will be used to measure the extracts that will be put in the vials.

Gloves, Mask and Apron. These will be used for the safety of the researcher. It will be

worn during the experimentation.

Pen and Foot Ruler. They will be used to measure the different types of plastic into

strips.

B. Gathering of Materials

Kamias fruit was gathered from the researcher’s yard. The mortar and pestle will be used

to pound the kamias fruit for extraction. Over the mortar and pestle will be a thin cloth measured

15 by 15 inches. The kamias fruit extract will be placed in the cylinder using funnel. A syringe

will be used to measure the extract. Nine vials will be prepared as containers of the measured

extract Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate

plastics will be used as experimental variable to test the effectiveness of kamias fruit extract as

plastic decomposer. A foot ruler and a pen will be used to measure the different types of plastics.

Pair of scissors will be used in cutting the plastic into strips. The analytical balance will be used

to weigh the plastic strips. Protective gears like surgical gloves and facemasks will be used for

safety purposes.

C. Preparation of Treatments

Kamias fruits will be gathered in the researcher’s yard.

Treatments Kamias Fruit Exract H20

T0 100%
T1
0%
T2

19
 T3 0%

0%
T4

D. Extraction of the Kamias Fruit

Mortar and pestle will be used in the extraction. A thin cloth measuring 15 by 15 inches

will be first placed over the mortar. The thin cloth will be used o obtain the kamias fruit extract.

The extract will be placed in the graduated cylinder using a funnel. Each 10 ml of the extract will

be placed in different vials using a syringe.

E. Collection of Plastics

The researcher will use three different types of plastics; Low-Density Polyethylene,

High-Density Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate. The three types of plastics will be

collected from the researcher’s house.

F. Cutting the plastics into strips

The researcher will use pen and foot ruler to measure the length and width of the

plastics. The plastics will measure 2 by 2 inches. Pair of scissors will be used to cut the different

types of plastic into strips.

G. Weighing of the plastic strips before the application of treatments

The different types of plastic strips will be weighed using the analytical balance. The

same type of plastics should measure the same mass.

H. Preparation of Treatments

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 The twelve (12) vials will be divided into 4 treatments. The control set-up will be

labeled as treatment 1. Low-Density Polyethylene will be labeled as treatment 2. High-Density

Polyethylene will be labeled as treatment 3. Lastly, Polyethylene Terephthalate will be labeled as

treatment 4. Each treatment will have three trials.

I. Application of Extract

The different types of plastics will be soaked into the vials containing the kamias fruit

extract. Each vial contains 10 ml of kamias fruit extract.

J. Exposure of Treatments

The vials will be set aside for twenty (20) days. They will be stored in an enclosed

room or space.

K. Data Gathering

After twenty (20) days, the different types of plastic strips will be washed, cleaned, and

air-dried. Each type of plastic strip will be compared before and after the exposure of the kamias

fruit extract.

L. Testing for the significance of data gathered

The t-test for correlated samples will be used to determine the significant effect of the

kamias fruit extract on the weight of Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene and

Polyethylene Terephthalate plastic strips within the twenty days of exposure.

Chapter IV

21
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1. Weight of LDPE, (HDPE), and (PET)

Treatments Control (T1) Weight Reduction (%)

Type of Plastic Pre-weight (g) Post-weight (g)

0.1 0.1 0%
LDPE

0.15 0.15 0%
HDPE

0.45 0.45 0%
PET

Computed Mean of Weight Reduction 0%

Table 2. Weight of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) before and after the application of

Treatments

Treatments Low-Density Polyethylene (T2) Weight Reduction (%)

Trials Pre-weight (g) Post-weight (g)

0.1 0.08 20%

0.1 0.08 20%

0.1 0.07 30%

22
 Computed Mean of Weight Reduction 23.33%

Table 3. Weight of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) before and after the application of

Treatments

Treatments High-Density Polyethylene (T3) Weight Reduction (%)

Trials Pre-weight (g) Post-weight (g)

0.15 0.12 20%

0.15 0.12 20%

0.15 0.13 13.33%

Computed Mean of Weight Reduction 17.78%

Table 4. Weight of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) before and after the application of

Treatments

Treatments Polyethylene Terephthalate (T4) Weight Reduction (%)

Trials Pre-weight (g) Post-weight (g)

0.45 0.45 0%
1
0.45 0.45 0%

23
 2

0.45 0.45 0%
3

Computed Mean of Weight Reduction 0%

Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 shows the weight reduction of the plastic strips treated with the

kamias fruit extract after twenty days incubation and exposure. The extracts caused a change on

the weights of the plastic strips, on tables 2 and 3, based from the computed mean of the weight

reduction. The results show evidence that the extracts started to degrade the Low-Density

Polyethylene plastics and the High-Density Polyethylene Plastics. The kamias fruit extract may

have started breaking down the plastic bonded with the chains of carbon.

Table 5. Comparison of Types of Plastic Reduction in Final Weight using the T-test

Types of Plastic Reduction Mean Computed T-Values Critical Value Interpretation

0.2333 5.63 2.920 Significant

0.1778 0.19 2.920 Not Significant

0.00 0.00 2.920 Not Significant

It can be gleaned from the table that in the Low-Density Polyethylene the t-computed

value of 5.63 is greater than the t-critical value 2.920 at 0.05 level of significance with 2 degrees

24
of freedom, it shows that the extract of kamias fruit extract has the possibility of decomposing

Low-Density Polyethylene. In case of High-Density Polyethylene, the t-computed value of 0.19

is lesser than the t-critical value 2.920 at 0.05 level of significance with 2 degrees of freedom, it

shows that the extracts of kamias fruit has the capability of decomposing High -Density

Polyethylene, however, it takes a longer time to decompose, based on the mean weight reduction.

On the other hand, the Polyethylene Terephthalate shows that the kamias fruit extract cannot

decompose each plastic according to the mean weight reduction which is 0%. Therefore, the

kamias fruit extract is best effective natural decomposer to Low-Density Polyethylene compared

to other types of plastics.

ANOVA Table

F-value
Source of Variation Df SS MS
Computed Tabular
Between Groups 3-1=2 891.33 891.33

Within Groups 8-2=6 96.33 = 445.67 445.67

96.33 16.06 5.14

= 16.06 = 27.75

Total 9-1=8

25
Table 6. Comparison of Types of Plastic Reduction in Final Weight using the ANOVA

(K-1) (F.05)
Between weight reduction F1 Interpretation
(2) (5.14)
A vs B 2.86 10.28 Not Significant
A vs C 50.82 10.28 Significant
B vs C 29.52 10.28 Significant

F-computed value of 27.75 is greater than the tabular value of 5.14 at 0.05 level of

significance with 2 and 6 degrees of freedom. This means that there is a significant difference

between the weight reduction of the three types of plastics.

Scheffe Test

Based on the table, A vs B with the f-computed value of 2.86 is smaller than the f-tabular

value of 10.28, it means that the weight reduction between the Low-Density Polyethylene

(LDPE) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) have no significant difference. However, A vs

C with the f-computed value of 50.82 and B and C with the f-computed value of 29.2 are greater

than the f-tabular value of 10.28, it means that the weight reduction between Low-Density

Polyethylene (LDPE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and High-Density Polyethylene

(HDPE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) have significant differences.

26
 Chapter V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

The main purpose of this study is to determine the Kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi) Fruit

Extract as a Natural Plastic Decomposer.

Specifically, it aims to (1) determine the effects of kamias fruit extract on the reduction of

weights of the different types of plastics; LDPE, HPDE, and PET. (2) determine the significant

difference on the weight of the different types of plastics; LDPE, HDPE, and PET. (3) Determine

what type of plastic the highest weight has reduced.

Results of the study revealed that (1) kamias fruit extract is effective in decomposing

Low-Density Polyethylene and High-Density Polyethylene plastics. (2) There is a significant

difference on the weight of Low-Density Polyethylene plastic. (3) There is a weight reduction in

Low-Density Polyethylene and High-Density Polyethylene plastics. (4) Low-Density

Polyethylene has the highest weight reduced, and (5) kamias fruit extract can be a possible

decomposing agent in Low-Density Polyethylene plastics.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the study, the researcher concluded that:

1. Kamias fruit extract has the decomposing capability to Low-Density Polyethylene and

High-Density Polyethylene.

2. There is a significant difference on the effect of kamias fruit extract on the reduction of

weights of Low-Density Polyethylene and High-Density Polyethylene plastics.

27
 3. Low-Density Polyethylene has the highest reduction weight among the three types of

plastics after exposure to kamias fruit extract.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the study, the researcher recommends the following:

1. Further study should be undertaken on the rate on how fast the plastic be decomposed

using the kamias fruit extract.

2. Identification of the acid present in kamias fruit extract that can cause the decomposition

of plastic.

3. Additional number of the concentration of kamias fruit extract to decompose plastic.

4. Other sources of microorganisms on spoiled stuff that can be used to hasten the

decomposition of plastics.

28
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Ojeda, T.F.M., E. Dalmolin, M M. C. Forte, R.J.S. Jacques, F.M. Bento, and F.A.O. Camargo.

2009. Abiotic and biotic degradation of oxo-biodegradable polyethylenes. Polym. Degrade. Stab.

94:965-970

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JOURNAL

Pangilinan, Good Yogurt, Bad Container. Kalikasan Magazine. Vol. 7 No. 1 2011

Jessica A. Knoblauch, Plastic Not-so-Fantastic, Scientific American, Vol. 17 No. 7 2009

N. Balakishnan, A. Hassam, M.U. Wahit, Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of

Polylactic Acid / Linear Low Density Polyethylene Blends, Journal of Elastomers and Plastics,

Vol. 42 No. 3, pp. 223-239 2010

INTERNET

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