TURNING MONDO GRASS

(OPHIOPOGON JAPONICUS) INTO PAPER

Submitted by:
Abigail B. Planzar
Sieg Raewald P. Tampor
Mark Anthony G. Bravo
Reese T. Uycorrea
Cheyenne Hayley N. Escobiñas
Ceska Decafe
Grade 9 – Nick Joaquin

Submitted to:

MS. MERCY S. LANDICHO

Subject Teacher
 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Grass paper has no chemicals because it does not need to be bleached. Unlike wood

paper that uses chlorine dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide or ozone to be bleached. It is

a fact that wood-based paper can still be recycled and composted, however it still contains

chemicals that can harm animals and contaminate the soil. Additionally, wood-pulp is not

infinitely recyclable, wood-sourced paper contributes to deforestation while grass paper

does not because grass grows in fields and almost everywhere. Compared to traditional

paper, grass paper is easier to produce because it contains natural cellulose and 75% less

resin and lignin than wood, that is why in this study we will create a non-wood-based paper

made out of Mondo grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus).

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In this study, the researchers are to reate a non-wood based paper made out of

Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus). The Researches ought to answer the

following qeustions:

1. Is there a difference in using paper made out of Mondo Grass ( Ophiopogon

Japonicus ) to wood-based paper in terms of versatility?

 Can the paper be written on with ink?

 Can the paper be painted with watercolor or acrylic paint?

 Can the paper be printed on with a printer?

2. Is the paper made out of Mondo Grass ( Ophiopogon Japonicus) durable?

 Can it be .

-Folded

-Crumpled

-Tear

-and punctured easily

HYPOTHESIS

The researchers aim is to create paper derived from Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon

Japonicus) by utilizing the fibers composed of the grass. These pulp fibers give the

property to create a paper by binding these fibers together and contributing to the basic

strength of the paper. If the researchers did the proper procedure in papermaking

effectively, then the paper made out of Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus) can be

assessed and proven to be versatile for usage.

Based on what the stated problems are, the researchers hypothesized that.

1. There are differences on creating paper out of Mondo grass with wood-based paper

in regard to its:

 Versatility

 Durability

 Vantage
2. There are no differences on creating paper out of Mondo grass with wood-based

paper in regard to its:

 Versatility

 Durability

 Vantage

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study of “Turning Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus) into Paper” may help

the environment by reducing the trees that have to be cut down to make paper. The

importance of this study is to help the environment by making it so that more trees will

be planted rather than cut downed by replacing the required materials for paper to be

Mondo Grass. It can benefit not only the students, but also the environment and the

community by producing paper that is not made from trees, which can help to prevent

deforestation and forest destruction.

SCOPE AND DECLIMITATION

Paper is very important to a student's life. However, with the current situation of the

need to plant more trees, we need to find an alternative material other than woods from

trees. This study focuses on the production of paper using an alternative material,

Mondo Grass or Ophiopogon Japonicus. Recent studies and research will be used as

support and reference in finding out whether Mondo Grass can be an alternative

material other than wood from trees. The researchers aim to create a paper out of

Mondo Grass and test the versatility of a non-wood sourced paper. The purpose of this
study is to determine if using Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus) is also a great

alternative to creating a non-wood-based paper, and if it has the same properties and

uses like a traditional wood-based paper.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Ophiopogon japonicus- It is the scientific name of Mondo Grass. Thanks to the

mondo grass's ability to spread, they are excellent options as sod-forming

stabilizers for slopes, banks, creek sides, and general erosion control.

2. Environment- An Environment is everything that is around us, which includes

both living and nonliving things such as soil, water, animals and plants, which

adapt themselves to their surroundings.

3. Non-wood based- A non-wood material is a material that doesn't contain wood

or wooden fibers. An example of this are plants, plants like Mondo Grass

4. Hydrogen peroxide- Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the

formula H₂O₂. In its pure form, it is a very pale blue liquid that is slightly more

viscous than water

5. Cellulose- Cellulose is a fibrous material of plant Origin and the basis of all

natural and man-made cellulosic fibers

6. Wood-pulp- Wood pulp is wood fiber reduced chemically or mechanically to

pulp—a soft, wet, shapeless mass of material—used in the manufacture of paper

and other products.

7. Lignin- A complex organic polymer deposited in the cell walls of many plants,

making them rigid and woody.

 CHAPTER II

Review of related literature and studies

We live in a world today where there are so many things, we humans use in our

everyday lives, and paper is no exception for that. We use paper at home, at school,

and even at work. Paper has been part of our life since hundreds of years ago. It is

used to express thoughts and opinions. If paper wasn’t invented back then, perhaps

there would not be enough information to be studied and learned in the subject of

history. Paper is also used for communication, especially when telephones were not

yet invented. It is also used to save memories; people write down their thoughts

and the events in their lives to have something to reminisce in the future.

History of Paper

We use paper at home, at school, and even at work. Paper also comes in several

forms, such as tissue paper, printing paper, recycled paper, tracing paper, and 31

more types of paper. However, our paper and cardboard products are created

mostly from recycled paper or virgin fibers. The production of paper and cardboard

from virgin wood fibers uses a lot of water and energy, which is a waste. Paper's

primary ingredient, cellulose fibers, must be distinguished from lignin,

hemicellulose, and resins. Recycled paper is the most popular alternative to fresh

fiber paper; after all, cellulose fibers may potentially be recycled up to six times.

(Shaena Montanari, 2021).

Cellulous Fiber

Cellulose fiber is a type of fiber derived from plant cell walls, specifically from

the cell walls of cotton, flax, hemp, jute, and other plants. Cellulose is the main

component of these plant cell walls, making up about 50% of their weight, and is

composed of long chains of glucose molecules. Cellulose fiber is commonly used

in the textile industry to produce fabrics and garments, as well as in the production

of paper and other products. (Cellulous, 1998).

Grass Fiber

Grass fibres are mainly obtained from vascular bundles in monocotyledonous

stems and leaves. They can also be obtained from separate fibre strands situated on

the outer sides of the vascular bundles. Grass fibres for pulping and paper

production are largely obtained from cereal straws, sugarcane, reeds and bamboo.

The vascular tissues can be distributed in two circles as in the cereal straw and in

most temperate grasses, with a continuous cylinder of sclerenchyma close to the

periphery. These tissues can also be scattered throughout the stem section as in corn

(Zea mays), bamboo, and sugar cane. According to Hurter, the average length of

grass fibres is 1-3 mm (about 0.12 in), and the ratio of fibre length to width varies

from 75:1 and 230:1. Wheat straw fibres (Triticum aestivum L.) have an average

length of 1.4 mm (0.4–3.2 mm) and a width of 0.015 mm (0.08–0.034 mm) [25]. It

is the most used monocotyledon in commercial pulping. Fibres obtained from cereal

straws such as; rye (Secale cereal L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oat (Avena

sativa L.) are similar to those of wheat. In countries of southern and eastern Asia,
rice straw (Oryza sativa L.) is a major resource in paper production. The major

challenges in the

application of rice straw are the high cost of collection and storage. Also, rice straw

contains a high amount of silica. However, these drawbacks notwithstanding, rice

straw is a favoured fibre source in countries with a limited supply of wood due to

its availability. (Azeez, 2018).

Leaf Fiber

Several plants have leaves containing fibres that are suitable for papermaking.

Fibres obtained from leaves and leaf sheaths of several monocots, tropical and sub-

tropical species, are referred to as leaf fibres. Some of these fibres produce paper

with excellent qualities. The common plants in this category include abaca (Manila

hemp) (Musa textilis) and sisal (Agave sisalana). Strong Manila hemp or Abaca is

plant grown mainly in the Philippines, and its fibre is obtained from leaf sheath of a

banana-like-plant. The propagation of this plant is done through suckering or

growing of shoots from roots. It attains maturity after 18–24 months after planting

and can be harvested, and the fibres can be obtained and isolated to produce pulp.

The quality of abaca pulp is affected by the type of cleaning, which determines the

grade of fibres. Pulp isolated from the highly graded fibres are used in the

production of high strength speciality tissues, such as tea bags and meat casings

while fair to residual grades of fibres obtained are made into pulp for making

speciality papers with high tear and tensile strengths such as vacuum bags and

wrapping papers. (Azeez, 2018).

Process of Papermaking

The process of papermaking involves several steps, which can vary slightly

depending on the type of paper being produced and the specific manufacturing

process. However, the basic steps involved in making paper are as follows: Raw

material preparation, the first step in papermaking is preparing the raw material,

which is typically wood pulp, recycled paper, or a combination of both. The raw

material is washed, screened, and refined to create a slurry or pulp. Pulp

preparation, the pulp is then mixed with water and chemicals, such as bleach and

sizing agents, to prepare it for the paper-making process. Paper formation, the pulp

mixture is poured onto a flat surface, called a Fourdrinier wire, which filters out

excess water and allows the pulp to form a thin layer.

Pressing the pulp layer is then pressed to remove even more water and create a

denser paper product. Drying, the pressed paper is then passed through a series of

heated rollers to remove the remaining water and dry the paper. Finishing, once the

paper is dry, it may be treated with additional chemicals to enhance its strength,

smoothness, and whiteness. It may also be cut, rolled, and packaged for shipment.

Overall, the process of papermaking is complex and requires a significant amount

of energy, water, and chemicals. However, advances in technology and sustainable

practices are helping to minimize the environmental impact of papermaking and

improve the sustainability of the paper industry.

Effects of Paper Production to the Environment

It’s no surprise to hear that pollution from manufacturing and waste has a direct

and negative impact on the environment. Everything from paper clips to fax

machines are contributors to the problem. Many businesses are stuck between a

rock and a hard place; they’re trying to minimize their effect on the environment,

while providing maximum productivity for both their consumers and employees.

One of the largest culprits adding to environmental damage and waste is also one

of the easiest to replace: paper. Let’s look at how much of an impact paper

production and waste has on the environment, and how simple it can be to be part

of the solution. Paper alone accounts for 40% of all waste in the United States.

That adds up to about 71.6 million tons per year. What many hope to reduce,

reuse, and recycle, unfortunately and overwhelmingly ends up being dumped into

a landfill. Waste from paper is a big issue. It’s easy to forget that production of

paper also has a devastating impact on the world we live in.

Deforestation has increased at an alarming rate. Paper manufacturing used up to

40% of all global wood. The process of manufacturing paper releases nitrogen

dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide into the air, contributing to pollution

such as acid rain and greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the US consumes more than

30% of all paper products globally, despite being only 5% of the world’s

population. (Impacts of Paper on the Environment, 2016).

Production of Non-wood Paper

Today, most of our paper and cardboard products are made from either virgin

fibers or recycled paper. Paper and cardboard made from virgin wood fibers require

a lot of energy and water to make. With increased paper demand, existing wood

resources may be insufficient to meet this rising demand. To address the potential

shortage of wood fiber for papermaking, non-wood pulp must be considered.

Furthermore, this has resulted in the development of environmentally friendly

alternative pulping technologies. (Liu et al., 2018).

Grass Paper

As the print industry moves towards a more sustainable future, exciting new

print materials like grass paper are emerging to solve solutions. One of the biggest

challenges the print industry faces is the sustainability of wood-based paper. Trees

are grown and felled to make virgin paper, an infinite cycle because cellulose (the

basis for paper products) is not infinitely recyclable. This destructive process is

worse when considering the whole supply chain from transport to the chemicals

used to bleach paper. Clearly, eco-friendly alternatives to wood pulp paper are

needed, and grass paper is one of these alternatives (along with hemp, bamboo and

cotton paper). (What is Grass Paper, 2021).

Grass paper is made from a significant proportion of grass fibres, typically up to

60%, with the remaining portion made from recycled wood fibres. It’s as versatile
as regular paper, suitable for folding, printing and packaging, with a slightly

rougher texture and a greenbeige tint. (What is Grass Paper, 2021).

Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus)

Perennial fast growing Napier grass fibers were used in this study for pulp and

papermaking. For pulp extraction from Napier grass, sodium chlorite and sodium

hydroxide were used in the chlorination and alkaline processes, respectively. A

detailed chemical composition analysis of the Napier grass fibers and extracted

pulp was performed, as well as a comparison to other perennial grasses. Scanning

electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to

characterize the extracted fibers and pulp from Napier grass. The opacity,

brightness, tensile index, breaking length, and burst index of Napier grass pulp

handmade paper sheets produced in the laboratory were investigated. Handmade

Napier grass pulp paper sheets were compared to paper made from other perennial

grasses. The superior properties of paper made from Napier grass pulp suggest that

it could be used as an alternative nonwood source for papermaking. (Reddy, 2014).

Mondo Grass as a Material for Papermaking

The genus name, Ophiopogon, is derived from the Greek word, ophis, meaning

snake, and pogon meaning beard; most probably referring to the flower spike.

(Kluepfel et al., 2022) The specific epithet, japonicus, means native to Japan.

Dwarf Mondo Grass 'Nana' is an attractive low-growing evergreen Mondo grass

cultivar that slowly spreads and forms thick tufts of arching, linear, grasslike dark
green leaves. In the summer, insignificant racemes of white flowers appear and are

followed by pearl-sized berry-like fruits. The flowers and fruits are typically

hidden by the leaves. The plant grows up to 6 inches tall and spreads in clumps up

to 8 to 12 inches. It is very similar to Liriope and spreads slowly by short

underground stolons. It is grown for its ornamental tufts of grass-like leaves and is

frequently used as a lawn alternative, particularly in shady areas. It is tolerant of

low foot traffic and is resistant to deer and rabbit damage.