Evaluating the Adhesive Strength of Okra Mucilage as a Natural Glue Alternative:

A Controlled Experimental Study

Sagumhay, Leah Clarissa Vallente
Salvo, Jamie Alberca
Sanchez, Rhods Tecson
Sansona, Elsie Marie Ablan
Sayasay, Ritchel Ann Guyon
Solomon, Athena Kate Salas
Sumaylo, Xianne Kyla Mariano
Tagalog, Merbert John Acierto
Talaugon, Ezra Frankie Egos
Taldo, Rihanna Dagala
Tan, Prince Will Auza
Terana, Yesha Mae Datario
Tingcang, Yani Cabaneros
Tonolete, Kaustofer Aningga
Torrejos, Achilles Dlzon
Villaroya, Methushelah Voneta Mae Madula
Zaballero, Elliza Mae Relacion
PHINMA-Cagayan de Oro College Senior High School Department

INTRODUCTION

Glue is an adhesive substance, typically in liquid or semi-liquid form, used to bond

two or more materials together. In modern academic settings, glue plays a crucial role in
assisting students with paper-based activities, such as project making and crafts. However,
the cost of commercial adhesives can accumulate over time, posing a minor financial
burden, especially to students with limited resources. Additionally, many commercial glues
are derived from synthetic or animal-based ingredients, raising concerns regarding
environmental sustainability and ethical sourcing. This has prompted researchers to explore
natural, plant-based alternatives that are both eco-friendly and cost-effective. This research
aims to evaluate the adhesive strength of okra mucilage as an alternative to commercially
available glue. Specifically, it aims to evaluate the adhesive strength of okra mucilage under
controlled conditions and assess its potential for common uses. By conducting a controlled
experimental study, this paper seeks to determine whether okra mucilage can be a viable,
low-cost, and environmentally friendly substitute for synthetic adhesives in academic and
practical applications.

Background of the Study

Adhesives are essential material that widely used by schools, offices, households,
and industries for connecting things together without using any machinery. Most synthetic
glues are made of synthetic polymers, like epoxy resins, polyvinyl acetate, and
polyurethane (Adria, 2024) that contains chemical components that are often non-
biodegradable. These synthetic adhesives can be costly and contain harmful substances that
can be risky to human health and the environmental. These materials are also extremely
flammable or explosive, irritating to skin and lungs or corrosive and cause burns to skin
and eyes (Adhesives and Glues, 2020).

Because of these concerns, researchers are finding a natural, eco-friendly

alternative, that are safe and affordable. Lady's finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) “Okra" in
the Philippines, is a vegetable that is commonly known for its naturally sticky and slimy
substance called mucilage. Its mucilage is a highly viscous polysaccharide that is mostly
composed of monosaccharides D-galactose, L-rhamnose, and galacturonic acid (Dantas et
al., 2021) that gives okra the characteristics of viscosity when it is cooked. This natural
stickiness of okra mucilage shows potential as a promising alternative adhesive property
for use as glue.

Some studies highlighted the uses of okra mucilage as binder (Okra mucilage act as
a potential binder for the preparation of tablet formulation) thickeners in food (Why Okra
Is Your Secret Weapon for Thickening Soup) and medicine (Okra (Abelmoschus
Esculentus) as a Potential Dietary Medicine with Nutraceutical Importance for Sustainable
Health Applications). However, there is limited research that scientifically explores the
alternative potential of okra mucilage as an adhesive instead of synthetic glues.

By this controlled experimental study, the researchers aim to evaluate the potential
of okra mucilage as an adhesive, and determine whether okra mucilage can be an effective,
safe, eco-friendly, and affordable substitute of commercial glue.

Theoretical Framework

This study is connected with scientific principles, specifically adhesion theory, and
the behavior of natural polymers in controlled experimental settings (M. Arif Butt, 2008).

Adhesion theory explains how molecules interact; adhesion may be defined as the
energy required to dismantle the interface between two materials. Physicists and engineers
usually describe adhesion in terms of forces, with the force of adhesion being the maximum
force exerted when two adhered materials are separated.

Biopolymer adhesion theory: In okra mucilage, biopolymers like polysaccharides

can be found, and they are known for their adhesive properties. It presents potential
adhesive properties due to its viscoelastic and gel-forming nature. These can form hydrogen
bonds and van der Waals forces or absorption, helping materials stick together (Tosif et al.,
2021). This theory supports the hypothesis wherein okra mucilage can be an effective
alternative for adhesion.

Material performance theory examines how a material’s inherent properties and

characteristics influence its behavior and sustainability for a specific application,
considering factors like strength, stiffness, and durability (D. Needham, 2013). This theory
states that materials must meet specific criteria to be considered useful. For adhesion, this
includes bond strength, application efficiency, and durability. By testing the adhesive
strength of okra mucilage, this study assesses its performance in practical applications.

Green chemistry principle is the design of products and processes that reduce or
eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances (Anastas, P.T. and Warner, J.C.,
2017). There are 12 principles of green chemistry which promote sustainable, non-toxic,
and biodegradable materials. Okra mucilage is a plant-based renewable, aligning with
green innovation and environmental safety by reducing reliance on synthetic glues that may
be harmful.

Furthermore, these theories provide a comprehensive foundation for evaluating

okra mucilage as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic adhesives.

Conceptual Framework

Type of Adhesive
Adhesive
Okra Mucilage Strength

Control Variable
- Their type and surface
materials being bonded
- The amount adhesive
applied, drying time
- Environmental
Conditions
(Temperature and
Humidity)

Figure 1.

This study investigates the idea that a natural substance, such as okra mucilage, has
the potential to serve as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic adhesives. The conceptual
framework outlines the relationships between the key variables under investigation.

The independent variable of the study is the type of adhesive used which is the okra
mucilage.

The dependent variable is the adhesive strength.

 To ensure valid and reliable results, several factors are kept constant as controlled
variables including their type and surface materials being bonded, the amount of adhesive
applied, drying time and environmental conditions (Temperature and humidity).

This framework helps examine how the presence of mucilage influences its bonding
strength. It also aligns with adhesion, material performance, and sustainability, providing
a basis for determining whether okra mucilage can be a practical and safe alternative to
commercial adhesives.

Statement of the Problem

This study seeks to determine whether okra mucilage can serve as an effective eco-
friendly alternative adhesive for various materials. Specifically, it aims to evaluate the
adhesive strength of okra mucilage under controlled conditions and assess its potential for
common uses.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. Determine the adhesive strength of okra mucilage by comparing it with commercial

glue when both are applied to:
a. thin paper
b. thick paper
2. Assess the potential of okra mucilage to function as an eco-friendly alternative
adhesive.

Scope and Delimitations

This study focuses on evaluating the adhesive strength of okra (commonly known
as ladyfingers) mucilage as a potential natural alternative to commercial glue. It will be
conducted at PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College, Carmen Campus, Misamis Oriental,
Philippines. The research investigates how well okra mucilage performs as a glue using
standardized tensile strength tests and paper-to-paper adhesion test. These tests are
designed to measure the holding power, drying time, and overall bonding effectiveness of
the mucilage. Multiple trials will be conducted to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the
results.
 This study will be limited to a paper on how well the okra mucilage, as a natural
glue, sticks together. It does not include other materials such as plastic, wood, or metal.
The only okra cultivated is fresh pods, and each sample is processed using the same
preparation technique. The experiment is performed in an indoor setting with little changes
in things like wind, rain, or very hot weather, which may influence glue performance. These
delimitations are set to narrow the focus of the study and maintain practicality within the
available time, laboratory resources, and experimental capacity.

Significance of the Study

Okra mucilage as a natural glue alternative is a very important research topic

because it tries to address the need for sustainable adhesive solutions.

The important beneficiaries of this research are the following:

The students: It offers valuable hands-on learning in research that builds critical thinking
and the local application of scientific methodology.

The Teachers: It adds relevance, hands-on activities, and fun to science curricula made,
students excited since it sees how scientific knowledge and sustainable research principles
apply to real-world situations.

Future Researchers: This provides some basic and methodological information necessary
for further investigation to improve natural adhesives for various applications and
broadening areas in biomaterials science.

The Environment and Society: This work heavily contributes to green sustainable by
providing biodegradable, non-toxic, and pollution-free alternatives to synthetic adhesives,
and it may also introduce tangible economic benefits to local farmers by providing it with
some activation of surplus cultivation of crops such as okra.

In the end, this research is really advocating a practical reality-an eco-friendly yet
quite feasible solution for a more sustainable tomorrow.
Definition of Terms

1. Adhesive Strength – This refers to the force required to separate two surfaces
bonded together by an adhesive. It's a measure of how well the adhesive holds the
surfaces together and is typically measured using tensile or shear tests.
2. Okra Mucilage – This is the sticky, gelatinous substance found in okra pods. It's a
natural polysaccharide composed primarily of sugars and other compounds.
3. Natural Glue – This refers to adhesives derived from natural sources, such as plants
or animals, rather than synthetic chemicals.
4. Controlled Experimental Study – This is a type of scientific experiment where all
variables except the one being tested (the independent variable) are kept constant.
5. Alternative Glue – This term refers to any adhesive being considered as a
replacement for commonly used synthetic glues, often to address concerns about
cost, environmental impact, or toxicity.