LEMON (CITRUS LIMON (L.

)) PEEL AS BIOPLASTIC STRAW

A Research Paper
to be Presented to the Faculty of
PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY
Career Development and Continuing Education Center
Santa Cruz, Laguna

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Course Requirements for the
Academic Track
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

DE LUNA, KYLEEN
ELOMINA, PHENELOPEE M.
FERRO, BLESS M.
PARCON, JOHN ELIZER S.
REN, JADE LAURENCE

DECEMBER 2025
 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

Bioplastics are biodegradable materials derived from renewable resources that can be

used to address the issue of plastic waste, which is strangling the earth and polluting

the ecosystem. However, the idea that plant-based bottles, straws and packaging may

simply be dumped and then decompose and disappear is incorrect; recycling and reuse

are the only feasible solutions.

Plastics have become a cornerstone of modern life due to their low cost, durability,

and versatility across various applications, including packaging, household items, and

industrial products. However, the widespread use of plastics has resulted in significant

environmental challenges. Discarded plastics frequently accumulate in landfills,

beaches, rivers, and oceans, where they persist for decades without breaking down

[1]. Plastic waste constitutes a troubling 80–95% of ocean debris, with single-use

items such as straws and stirrers contributing significantly to this issue [2,3].

Straws are often more hygienic than drinking directly out of a cup – helping protect

you from exposure to bacteria. Canned beverages may have bacteria on the lid from

manufacturing/handling and restaurant glassware may have been poorly cleaned

around the top edge. If positioned correctly, straws can limit the contact between

liquids and teeth, which could help prevent cavities if you're consuming something

sugary or acidic. This is especially true for front teeth, which can become stained or

discolored from repeated exposure to harmful liquids.

Lemon peels are rich in nutritional substances, especially vitamin C, pectin and fibers,

and phytochemical compounds with desirable properties predominantly comprising

phenolic constituents and essential oils, which supported the potential industrial

applications. It has been demonstrated that lemon peels hold great nutraceutical

effects, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-obesogenic, lipid-

lowering, anti colitic, anti-arthritic, anti-urolithic, anti-fatigue, ameliorating

disuse muscle atrophy, skin protection, and prebiotic properties. Lemon peels show

great promise in the applications into food industry, including: 1) food ingredients

with nutritional, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties; 2) film matrixes or active

constituents for food packaging or edible coatings. Moreover, the application into

bioremediation as removers for heavy metals and dyes and into aquaculture as

beneficial constituents of fish diet is also promising.

This study aims to develop bioplastic straws from Citrus Limon L. By utilizing the

properties of lemon peel, the study seeks to offer a viable solution to the problem of

single-use plastic straws, highlighting the benefits of lemon peel bioplastics in

reducing plastic waste.

The researchers wanted to investigate the how durable the bioplastic straw using the

lemon peel. Cellulose and acid from the Lemon peel can be used to make a bioplastic

straw rather than using other chemical. Straw’s water solubility, moisture content, and

biodegradability are all greatly influenced by the presence of cellulose, which also

serve to make durable the straw.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Plastic pollution, the first problem that bioplastic straws that could be

manufactured using lemon peels contribute to food waste. It is noteworthy that lemon

peels contain cellulose and pectin, which can be processed into biocompatible fillers

and are certainly the most important components in bioplastic. There has been a

growing interest in lemon peel as a potential resource for making bioplastic straws, as

the world has been moving towards finding and using alternatives to plastic that are

sustainable and biodegradable. As Bioplastics made from fruit waste are

biodegradable and compostable, and they can help reduce carbon footprint. These

peels which are typically waste in the beverage and food industry can be turned into

useful and green products, thus bringing in added value to wastages and ensuring

better circular economy. Lemon peel-based bioplastics can benefit the user in various

ways, the use of lemon peel lies in the fact that almost 70% of lemon parts are wasted

as by-products after juice extraction.

However, despite its potential, the concept of lemon peel bioplastic straw is

still highly promising but relatively unexplored. Various unknowns are required

further research, and the area of study of chemical and mechanical properties of

lemon peel bioplastics in relation to durability, water resistance, and heat resistance

are prime requirements for further research. Another critical factor is the

biodegradability and environmental impact of lemon peel bioplastics, including how

quickly they break down in natural environments and whether they cause any harm to

ecosystems. Food safety is also a concern, with the potential for harmful substances to

leach into beverages or trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. There is not clarity as

to the optimum techniques in processing lemon peel wastes for bioplastics production

such as extraction of compound useful substances like cellulose and pectin, also on
addition of additives enhancing its properties. Scalability and commercial feasibility,

whether sufficient volume of peel waste is readily available at a global scale, which

would be able to supply materials for large-scale production, with this potential

process being energy-economic as well. Biodegradability is another critical area that

includes the rate of breakdown of these materials in nature, the rate of decomposition,

and its overall environmental impact.

Every year, the production of plastic products reaches new heights, causing

serious environmental pollution since non-biodegradable plastics endangered not only

plants and animals but also people. Fruit and vegetable wastes (FVW) are the best

example of the food waste that needs to be disposed of as a result of the steadily rising

global food production. Establishing an FVW refining platform to include the waste

stream into the manufacturing of biodegradable bio-based polymers is a viable

alternative.

Due to the increasing environmental problems caused by petroleum plastics

and non-renewable resources, people are searching for natural alternatives to

petroleum plastics. In recent years, bioplastics have drawn a lot of attention because

of their biodegradability as a sustainable polymer substance, but the poor performance

and the high price limit their application. Investigating FVW as raw materials for

bioplastic production is a sustainable approach since it increases the FVW disposal

pathway and successfully lowers the cost of bioplastics. The creation of antimicrobial

biodegradable bioplastics for food packaging has enormous potential to address the

safety and pollution issues brought on by spoilt food and petrochemical plastics.
 Excessive use of plastic on a daily basis is affecting waste management. The

researcher has gained attention on the potential solution to reduce the use of plastic

materials. The lemon peel, the byproduct in the food industry, is seen as a potential

bioplastic source, which is helpful in combating plastic pollution. With the rising

numbers of non-biodegradable materials, the result of this study can be a great step to

address the issues in plastic waste. Findings from this study will have significant

implications for the environment to seek effective environmentally friendly solutions

regarding the concern on the issue of plastic trash growing. The primary objectives of

this study are twofold: (a) to investigate lemon peel as bioplastic straw, and (b) the

acceptability of lemon peel as bioplastic straw.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

This study is guided by the concepts presented in the paradigm below.

Input Process Output

Raw Product’s name
Materials/Ingredients Preparation
* Lemon Peels *Collecting
* Water
* Glycerol * Drying LEMON PEEL AS
* Citrus Pectin * Pulverizing BIOPLASTIC
STRAW
* Silk Fabric * Mixing
* Drying

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

This experimental study is supported by the research paradigm indicated in Figure 1.

Frame 1 displays the input variables, which includes lemon peels,

water, glycerol, citrus pectin, and silk fabric,

Frame 2 shows the process which consists of making bioplastic straw.

Lastly, Frame 3 presents the Lemon straw that can be used as bioplastic

straw.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aimed to determine the Lemon Peel as Bioplastic Straw Specifically,
it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the level of Lemon Peel as Bioplastic Straw in terms of:

1.1. Variable 1. Texture
1.2. Variable 2. Durability
1.3. Variable 3. Water Resistance
2. Is Lemon Peel as Bioplastic Straw acceptable among the respondents?
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The Lemon Peel as Bioplastic Straw is not acceptable among the

respondents.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

This research investigates the acceptability of Lemon Peel as Bioplastic Straw. The

study aims to conduct a focused and rigorous assessment of the possible advantages

and disadvantages of lemon peel as bioplastic straw while understanding the study's

inherent limitations. This study is applicable only to thirty (30) students of Philippine

Women's University (PWU) of Sta. Cruz Laguna attending Senior High School

Education in the school year 2024-2025.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study aims to give the benefits of Lemon Peel as Bioplastic Straw to the

following:

1. Students - This study will help students to solve the problem in waste

disposal. It can also be a guide in having proper waste segregation and

awareness about the environment.

2. Community - The conducted study will raise people's awareness and give

them a sense of how and where other things can be employed. It recognizes

the significance of teaching us to recycle items that are still usable.

 3. Future Researchers - This study can inspire future researchers to explore the

potential of other readily available biodegradable ingredients for addressing

various environmental concerns.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

These are the terms included in the study. This will help everyone to familiarize

themselves with the terms that are used in this study.

1. Bioplastic

Moldable plastic material made up of chemical compound.

2. Durability

The ability of a physical product to remain functional.

3. Lemon Peel

The skin or the outer part of a citrus fruit that can be used as bioplastic.

4. Straw

Use for sucking up liquids into the mouth.

5. Texture

The physical feel of something.

6. Water Resistance

Not easily damaged by water.