Colocasia esculenta (taro) STALK FIBER AS AIR

FILTER FOR SMOK E EMITTING

VEHICLES

Ethaniel P. Camins

Kyla Nicole M. Site

Gene Mikaela D. Gawat

GRADE 10

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Research II-B

REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL- IX

Malasiga, San Roque, Zamboanga City
 INTRODUCTION

Air pollution has affected our lives very negatively and it has continued to worsen

because of bad human practice. One of the main causes of air pollution are smoke that are

emitted from vehicles. In 2013, half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, and almost a

quarter of hydrocarbons emitted into our air was contributed by transportation. This air pollution

carries significant risks for the human health and the environment. We can significantly reduce

air pollution from our cars and trucks through clean vehicles and fuel technologies. Cars and

trucks produce air pollution throughout their life, including pollution emitted during vehicle

operation, refueling, manufacturing, and disposal. Additional emissions are associated with the

refining and distribution of vehicle fuel (Union of Concerned Scientist, 2014).

Because of air pollution, a lot of people have resorted to using air filters, which are

important public health tools for prevention of airborne diseases such as tuberculosis,

cryptocosis, asthma and other diseases. It is known that exposure of high levels of air pollution

can affect human health (Ren, 2008). Air filters can reduce biomedical effects in human subjects

caused by harmful gases such as hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide and other

greenhouse gases.

There are so many plants that were already used in the production or utilization of air

filter such as banana, sponge gourd, and bamboo. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) or commonly

known as Gabi in the Philippines is widely known for its culinary and medicinal uses. Its leaves

and stem are abundant and fasciculate, its stem is modified into a starchy rhizome and forms the

edible part of the plant. (Santos & Puiatti, 2015). According to Requiao (2016), the height of the

plant can vary from 30 to 180cm depending on the cultivar. Its fiber is chemically composed of
cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin which can be used to filter smoke and, hopefully, minimize

air pollution.

The study to be conducted aims to test the effectiveness of taro stalk as air filter for

smoke emitting vehicles and to reduce harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,

sulfur oxides and other greenhouse gases emitted by the vehicles. It seeks to test the durability of

the air filter and the quality of air that is emitted by the vehicle before and after the use of the air

filter.

This study aims to help individuals such as tricycle and jeepney drivers and even those

who own transportation vehicles. It also aims to minimize air pollution that is emitted by the

vehicles which can cause airborne diseases.

 METHODOLOGY

A. Research Locale

This study will be conducted at Camins’ residence at Macrohon Drive 1, Lumiyap

Divisoria, Zamboanga City.

B. Research Design
For this study we used informal design; Before and after with control design will

be utilized in this study. There will be three set ups: Set-up A with 100 grams of Taro

fiber, Set-up B with 150 grams of Taro fiber, and Set-up C with 200 grams of Taro fiber.

The air filter will be attached to the exhaust pipe of the tricycle to compare the quality of

air emitted before and after using the air filter. The difference in the amount of carbon

monoxide before and after using the filter will be recorded and observed.

Table 1: The Experimental Set-Up, Amount of Fiber to be used in each Set- Up

Set-up Amount of Carbon Amount of Carbon monoxide

monoxide before using the After using the Air Filter:

Air Filter:

A: 100 grams of Taro

Fiber

B: 150 grams of Taro

Fiber

C: 200 grams of Taro

Fiber
C. General Procedure

Before conducting the experimentation, the researchers made sure to wear

laboratory gowns and gloves. A sufficient amount of Taro stalks will be gathered. These

stalks will be peeled and the fibers will be taken. The fibers that were taken will be

placed in a clean and dry container and will be placed outside to sundry for 48 hours.

Once dried, the fibers will be coated with a mixture of baking soda and water to serve as

a heat resisting solution. After coating the fiber, it will be set aside to air dry. After drying

these fibers were placed in a makeshift screen sheet that is supposed to encase the fibers

and serve as the air filter. The filters were attached on the exhaust pipe of the tricycle.

The customized pipe has a corresponding measurement. The pipe diameter with 2.5

inches, pipe area 4.43 inches squared and the total of 509 est. This study will have three

set-ups, Set-up A with 100 grams of taro fiber, Set-up B with 150 grams of taro fiber, and

Set-up C with 200 grams of taro fiber. The fibers will be measured and placed inside the

makeshift screen sheet filter. Since the vehicle undergone the test before attaching the air

filter into the exhaust pipe, the researchers gathered the data before using the air filter.

Once the air filter is installed inside the exhaust pipe of the smoke emitting vehicles these

set ups will be tested to the Emission Center to check its effectiveness in minimizing

harmful gases emitted by the vehicles. Data’s will be gathered and recorded.
D. Disposal Treatment

The parts of Taro that were not used will be buried in a pit. The remaining baking

soda can be used for other cleaning purposes.

 RESULTS

Table 2: Amount of Carbon Monoxide Emitted Before and After Using the Air Filter

Set-up Amount of Carbon Amount of Carbon

monoxide before using the monoxide After using the

Air Filter: Air Filter:

A: 100 grams of Taro

Fiber
1.93% 1.86%

B: 150 grams of Taro

Fiber
1.10% 0.89%

C: 200 grams of Taro

Fiber
2.39% 1.14%

Table 2 shows the results of the samples based on their emission test before and after

using the air filter. Set-Up C (200 grams of Taro Fiber with heat resisting solution)

filtered the most amount of harmful gases emitted by the vehicle which means it is the set

up that is the most effective.

Table 3: Amount of Air Filtered in terms of Percentage

Set Up Average Amount of Air Filtered After Using

the Air Filter

Experimental A: 100 grams of Taro Fiber 0.07%

Experimental B: 150 grams of Taro Fiber 0.21%

Experimental C: 200 grams of Taro Fiber 0.25%

Table 3 shows the results based on the emission test done , the amount of air filtered after using

the filter. Set up A with 7% Set up B with 0.21% and Set up C with 0.25% it shows that in Set up

C with 200 grams of taro fiber used in filtering air is the most effective in minimizing harmful

gases compared to set up A and B.

 DISCUSSION

It can be concluded that Taro stalk fiber can filter the smoke that is emitted by vehicles.

Even though, Set-up C (200 grams of taro stalk fiber) is the most effective out of all the set-ups,

all set-ups were effective.

The taro fibers were composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin which helped in

filtering the smoke emitted by the vehicle. It was found out that, the highest quantity of Taro

fibers is the most effective which means the higher the quantity of Taro, the higher the amount of

smoke filtered.
 APPENDICES
A. Proposed Budget

MATERIALS COST (PHP)

Taro Stalk Fiber 0

Makeshift Screen Sheet 50

Baking Soda 32

(3 pcs) Steel Rings 105

TOTAL COST PHP 187

B. Schedule of Activities
ACTIVITIES TIME FRAME (in days)
A. Planning Stage
Choosing the study 13 days
Gathering the information 7 days
Subtotal 20 days
B. Implementation Stage
Experimentation 2 days
Combining Data 1 day
Encoding 4 days
Subtotal 7 days
 A. Analysis Stage
Analyze Data 4 days
Analyze the Research Report 2 days
Subtotal 6 days
B. Reporting Stage
Presents finding at Conference 1 day
TOTAL 34 days
A. Documentations
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Articles in Journal
Santos &Puiatti.(2015).Food Chemistry. Science Direct,volume 178, pages 331-338.

Links
Union of Concerned Scientist Cars, Trucks, and Air Pollution.

(2014).Fromhttp://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/vehicles-air-pollution-and-human-

health/cars-trucks-air-pollution#.WX3v54iGOMo

Rafael R.(2016, May 24-25) Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Brazil.

Retrieved: June 5, 2012, from https://www.apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/

CizaoRen.(2008, November 06).Health effects of ambient air pollution. Environmental

Help. Retrieved: January 29 2006), from http://www.ehjournal.biomedicalcentral.com