COCONUT (Cocos nucifera) LEAVES ASHES AS

PIGMENT CORE FOR A PENCIL

Jasmine Reign V. Buela

Francis James Berania

Charmel Aira P. Mayor

Jerie Sebrina D. Alday

Jerome F. Tinamisan

Arianne E. Perez

Stefhen E. Asi

A Science Investigatory Project

Submitted to the Science Department

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Research III

Batangas City Integrated High School

Batangas City

October 2022

Rowena C. Delgado

Research Adviser
Table of Contents

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

Table of Contents………………………………………………………....………..…..

List of Tables……………………………………………………………………...........

List of Figures………………………………………………………………………….

Chapter I: THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction ……………………………………………………..…….
Conceptual Framework ……………………………………….………
Statement of the Problem ………………………………………………
Hypothesis ……………………………………………………………….
Scope and Limitations ……………………………………………………
Significance of the Study ………………………………………………..
Definition of Terms ……………………………………………………….

Chapter II: THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Related Literature ……………………………………………………......

Related Studies ………………………………………………………….

Chapter III: METHODOLOGY

Research Method ……………………………………………………….

Materials and Equipment ……………………………………………....

Procedure ………………………………………………………………..

Data Gathering Technique ……………………………………………..

Flowchart …………………………………………………………………

Chapter IV: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Chapter V: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary………………………………………………………………….

Conclusion………………………………………………………………..

Recommendations……………………………………………………….

BIBLIOGRAPHY.........................................................

APPENDICES.....................................................
List of Tables

Table 1 Amount of Variables in the Production

of Coconut Leaves Ashes as Replacement

for Graphite in Mechanical Pencil...............................................

Table 2 Characteristics of the Coconut Leaves Ash

Pigment Core in Mechanical Pencil..............................................

Table 3 Comparison of Coconut Leaves Ash

Pigment Core with Commercial Pigment
Core in Mechanical Pencil..........................................................
List of Figures

Figure 1 Paradigm of the Study…………. …………………..........…….

Figure 2 Process in Making the Coconut Leaves

Ashes as Pigment Core in Mechanical Pencil...................................

ABSTRACT

The study “COCONUT (Cocos nucifera) LEAVES ASH AS PIGMENT

CORE FOR A PENCIL” focuses on the effectiveness of coconut leaves’ ash as

pigment core for a pencil and it is aimed to utilize the agricultural wastes. Since

the Philippines is one of the countries that produces an enormous amount of

coconut products, agricultural wastes from coconut trees are a lot. There are

different ways to make use of these wastes, but the researchers have thought of

a way that benefits the students. The grade ten students were selected to try the

pencils. The study applied an experimental method to determine whether the

coconut leaves’ ash is an effective pigment core for a pencil. The qualities of the

pencils were assessed using qualitative observation by the changes of the pencil

core throughout the process. Based on the gathered data, the researchers must

use coconut leaves in preparing the pencil core. The most effective combination

of the mixture was 35 ml of water, 19g of ash and 14g of flour. The pencil core is

obtained by adding specific materials. For seven days, the quality of the pencil

core was observed. Baking the pencil core for 10 minutes in a 250 °C is the most

effective way to make it durable. Based on the results, the pencil core is obtained

by mixing the three main materials and by baking it in an oven with a 250 ° C

temperature. The results displayed that the coconut leaves’ ash is an effective

replacement for graphite for pigmentation.

CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

The agricultural wastes can produce numerous products–pencil core is one

of those. The Philippines is one of the largest distributors of coconut products.

According Yamang Pinoy (2022), The Philippines is the second largest

contributor of coconut products in the world, right after Indonesia. The Davao

Region is one of the top producers of coconut products in the Philippines which

contributed 14.4% of the country's coconut production in the year 2018. The

amount of coconut production resulted in 14.72 million metric tons, which means

it increased from the previous year. (Statista Research Department, 2022)

The unused parts of the trees are usually thrown away. Agricultural wastes

affect our environment. Agricultural solid wastes can harm the environment by air

pollution, soil contamination, harmful gasses and the residue may affect aquatic

life. (Adejumo and Adeyi, 2020). According to Razdan (2019) innovative facilities

dispose of 40 tonnes of coconut waste. The plant has the capacity to shred

seven tonnes of coconut waste everyday. In order to lessen the effects of the

agricultural wastes, The researchers thought of a way to utilize these waste.

Conceptual Framework
The input shows coconut leaves ash, flour and water are the materials that

will be used to produce a pigment core for pencil.The ash will be extracted from

burning coconut leaves and mixed with flour and water to produce a better core

for pencil. The effectiveness of handmade pigment core will be tested based on

its durability and by writing or drawing.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Burning

Coconut Leaves
Ash
Pounding

Flour
Sieving
Pigment Core in
Pencil
Water
Mixing

Molding

Drying

Testing

Figure 1

Paradigm of the Study

Statement of the Problem

This study focuses on the production of coconut (Cocos nucifera) leaves

ashes as pigment core in mechanical pencil.

Specifically, it intended to answer the following questions:

1. What is the amount of variables in the production of coconut leaves ashes

as replacement for graphite in mechanical pencil?

2. What are the characteristics of the coconut leaves ash pigment core in

mechanical pencil?

3. How does the coconut leaves ash pigment core compare with commercial

pigment core in mechanical pencil?

Hypothesis

This hypothesis is tested in the study:

● When the ashes are turned into pigment core, the agricultural waste

will drastically earn value and coconut leaves’ can turn into a usable

material.

Scope and limitations

This study focuses on replacing graphite with coconut leaves’ ash to make a

pencil core/lead. The researchers used coconut leaves, flour and water. This

study was conducted at Batangas City.

The researchers are limited only to using one type of leaves, which is the

coconut leaves.

Furthermore, this study will no longer take into consideration if the possible
outcome of the pencil core made with coconut leaves’ ash was swallowed and

other unmentioned aspects

Significance of the study

This study focuses on the attempt of discovering a new way of utilizing

coconut leaves. The study will prove that graphite can be replaced with coconut

leaves’ ash to make a new budget friendly pencil.

Nowadays, pencils are quite expensive unlike before.

This will be beneficial to the agricultural field because the agro—waste leaves

will gain another purpose. Also, it is of great importance for people—in general—

who are looking for inexpensive pencils.

Furthermore, coconut leaves’ ash can be used in a variety of ways: beauty,

arts and agriculture.

Not only that this would help the people in need, but the findings of the study

will contribute to the future researchers who would like to expand the existing

knowledge.

Definition of Terms

For further understanding, the study provides the conceptual and operational

definitions of the terms that will be used in the conduct of this study.

Pencil core / lead. Mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of

hardness; the marking substance of a pencil. (thefreeDictionary, 2003). In this

study, it refers to the product of the coconut leaves ash mixed with Kaolin clay
and water to be used as replacement for commercial core pigment in mechanical

pencil.

CHAPTER II

RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter represents the reviews of conceptual and research literature

significant in conducting the study. The researchers gathered information from a

number of references which provided insights and information related to the

study.

Related Literature

Coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L.) is widely known in Asia because of its

utilizations; the leaves are shaped like feathers, and are extended outwards from

the trunk of the actual tree. (Friedman, 2019). The young coconut leaves are

usually bright green, but darkens as the tree grows old. (mplgmg, 2017).

Coconut trees are abundant in Asia. The Philippines is one of the top ten

countries that supply and export coconut products: both traditional and non-

traditional. (Agribussiness, 2020). The scale of agricultural waste is huge

globally—and for that reason—there are few introduced ways to make use of this

waste. (Wight, 2019). The dried coconut leaves are agro-waste left by the tree

which deems to be “more” beneficial. The lack of knowledge on how people can

take advantage of the dried leaves—and other waste—could potentially harm us

in the future.

According to Anza (2019), coconut leaves have different uses, Such as:

● Roofing

● Walls

● Hat

● Brooms; and
● Decorations

Further stated by Wight (2018), agricultural waste has always been a conflict

that affects the world: in environmental and economic aspects. The agricultural

waste are residues from the agricultural products that people rarely pay close

attention to because these wastes are perceived to be less valuable. There are

multiple ways to manage these effectively, and for a cost.

The infrequency of usage of the dried coconut leaves motivates the

researchers to make most of the limited sources, thus: coconut leaves’ ash as

replacement for graphite. In this case, our study is of great significance for

innovation.

Related Studies

According to (Ambati, Siregar, Amiruddin and Ahmad, 2019) dried coconut

leaves’ ash has a dark pigment that they used for making the Solo putri bride

style, this is applied to the forehead of the user to look like hair. The dried

coconut leaves’ ash is usually used for herbal medication; thus, this can be safe

when in use. This study will guide us in making the pigmentation for the pencil

core that will make the tint of the pencil.

The study of (Elle L., 2012) conducted an experiment that turned leaves into

charcoal. They used mango tree leaves and a big tin can. They put the mango

leaves into the can and they let it sit in the fire. While the leaves are still on the

fire, they prepare the zoy and water. They mixed it together, when the leaves
were burnt, they crushed it into smaller pieces and mixed it with the zoy and

water then it would mold. The process in making the pencil core/lead is similar to

this study. Although we will be using kaolin clay instead of zoy. This study will

help us get the ash that we need in order to make the pencil core/lead and will

also guide us in making the shape of the pencil core.

According to (bersch, 2021) In order to get the black pigment in the coconut

leaves ash, he conducted an experiment in making black paint out of coal. He

used a mortar and pestle in fining the the coal. This study has the same process

in making the black pigment needed by the pencil core in order to have the

pigment.
CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter provides the research design which includes the manner on

how the study will be conducted. This chapter also provides the materials and

equipment to be used in order to conduct the experiments. It also discusses how

the researchers will perform the test and the data gatherings technique.

Research Method

The researchers will use this experimental method to conclude the prospect's

pencil core/lead made with coconut leaves’ ash. The independent variable is the

amount of the leaves’ ash that will be needed to produce pencil core/lead. The

dependent variable is the quality of the finished product. Inferential statistics will

be used in this study.

Materials and Equipment

The materials needed in making the pencil core are Coconut leaves Ash,

Water, Flour, mortar and pestle, sieve, spoon, bowls, wood and wood glue which

will be used in burning, fining, mixing and molding the pencil core/lead. The

equipment needed in the experiment are Plastic gloves, face mask and oven.

Procedure

Ashes are extracted from the burned coconut leaves. Since burning is

convenient, it was found more suitable to do. Considering that the leaves need to
be burned into ashes, let those be there for about 10-15 minutes until it cools

down. The researchers will be needing mortar and pestle for fining the outcome

which are the ashes. After fining, the ashes will go through a sieve until there are

no big chunks in the mixture. Trial 1 Mix the 13 grams of ashes and 8 grams of

flour , and add 19 ml of water; Trial 2: Mix the 13 grams of ash 11 grams of flour,

and 24 ml of water; Trial 3: Mix the 19 grams of ash 14 grams of flour and, 35 ml

of water together slowly, mold the core manually to form a pencil core. After

molding it, leave it in one place that is high in temperature so that it will harden,

and after it hardens it will now be put in an oven under 250°C for 5 minutes to

make it harder. Now, the researchers can put the final product in a wood.

Data Gathering Technique

In order to gain the result and conclusion of this study, the researchers will

gather data by using the pencil core/lead in writing. By that we can see if the

new core, made by coconut leaves, are different from the normal one. We also

saved the coconut leaves from waste. Data will be tabulated and analyzed.
FLOWCHART OF THE PROCEDURE OF THE STUDY

Burning the leaves for 5 minutes and using

it after it’s 10-15 minutes of cool down.

Fining and sieving the coconut leaves

ashes with a sieve and mortar and pestle.

Mixing the 14g of Coconut leaves ashes and

17g of kaolin clay.

Adding the 30ml water to the mixture slowly

until it can be molded.

Putting the mixture into a cylindrical mold .

Drying the pencil core in a hot

temperature.

Figure 2
Process in Making the Coconut Leaves Ashes
As Pigment Core in Mechanical Pencil
CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter reviews the results and analysis of the qualitative data, the

compilation of the questionnaire and the result and analysis of the quantitative

findings of the study.

Table 1

Amount of Variables in the Production of Coconut Leaves Ashes as

Replacement for Graphite in a Pencil

Set Coconut Flour Size of Molded Observations

- up Leaves
(g) Pigment Core
Ash
Length Diameter Color Hardness
(g)
(mm) (mm)

A 13g 8g 50mm 5mm Black Fragile

B 13g 11g 61mm 4mm Light Hard

Gray

C 19g 14g 45mm 5mm Dark Hard

Gray

In Set-up A the amount of coconut leaves ash is 13grams and 8grams of flour.

The length of it is 50mm and the diameter is 5mm.Based on the observation

color of molded t pigment core is black and it's hardness is fragile.

In Set-up B, the amount of coconut leaves ash is 13 grams while the amount of

flour is 11 grams. The length of the molded pigment core is 61mm while the

diameter is 4mm. Based on the researchers observation, the color of the pigment

core is light gray and it is hard.

In Set-up C, the amount of the coconut leaves ash is 19 grams and the amount

of flour is 14 grams. The size of molded pigment core in length is 45mm while in

diameter, the size of it is 5mm. Compared to the observation in set-up B, the

color of the pigment core is dark gray however, the hardness is still the same.
Table 2

Characteristics of the Coconut Leaves Ash

Pigment Core for A Pencil

Set - Pigmentation Comparison Ability to Be Texture Ease when Readability

up with Erased Used in When
Cleanly Writing Paper Got
Mongol Mongol Mongol Wet
No. 1 No.2 No. 3

A More More More There are Powdery Not too Still

Dark Dark Dark still marks in smooth, readable

Brown Brown Brown the paper and not but the

too rough pigment

(moderate) spreads

B Light Light Light There are Powdery Not too Still

still little smooth, readable

marks in the and not but the

paper too rough pigment

(moderate) spreads

C More More More There are Powdery Not too Still

Dark Dark Dark still little smooth, readable

marks in the and not but the

paper too rough pigment

(moderate) spreads
In Set-up A there are three mongols with the same comparison (More, Dark, and

Brown). In the ability to erase cleanly, there are still marks on the paper because

its texture is powdery. When used for writing, it is not too smooth and not too

rough. Being readable, when the paper is wet it is still legible but the pigment

spreads.

The three Mongols in Set-up B also have the same comparison (Light), but their

ability to wipe neatly leaves traces on the paper due to the powdery texture of the

paper. It is just the right amount of smooth and rough for writing. Although the

pigment spreads when the paper gets wet, it is still viewable.

The researchers have three mongols in Set-up C with the same comparison

(More and Dark). The paper's powdery nature prevents a clean erase, leaving

markings on the page. It is just the right amount of smooth and rough for writing.

When the application is wet, it is still readable, but the pigment spreads.
Table 3

Comparison of Coconut Leaves Ash Pigment Core with

Commercial Pigment Core in Mechanical Pencil

Set - up Pigmentation Mass Hardness Number Cost per piece Quality After 4
of weeks prior to
(microgra
Times a Production
m)
Name
is
Written
Using .
5 cm of
the
Core
Pigmen
t

Coconut Darker Not Moderate 145 Php 5 Got Harder

Leaves
Ash defined
Pigment
Core in
Mechani
cal
Pencil
Commer Lighter 5g Hard 290 Php 8 Still the same
cial
Pigment
Core in
Mechani
cal
Pencil

There are two sets in table 3. Based on our observation in table 3 the

Pigmentation of Coconut leaves ash pigment core in mechanical pencil is darker,

Its Mass is not defined and has a Hardness of Moderate. The Number of times a
name is written using 5cm of the Pigment Core is 145, Cost per Piece is Php 5

and it's Quality after 4 weeks prior to Production is Hardest

Commercial pigment core in mechanical pencil unlike the Pigmentation of

Coconut leaves ash pigment core in mechanical pencil is lighter, has a Mass of 5

grams and is hard. The Number of times a name is written using 5cm of the

Pigment Core is 290, Cost per Piece is Php 8 and its Quality after 4 weeks prior

to Production is still the same.

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary and conclusion by the researcher based on

the results of the test acquired in the study. Also, the recommendations are made

for further improvement of the project.

Summary

This study focuses on the production of “COCONUT (Cocos nucifera)

LEAVES’ ASH AS PIGMENT CORE FOR A PENCIL” aims to produce a pigment

core in a pencil. Specifically, It seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the amount of variables in the production of coconut leaves

ashes as replacement for graphite in mechanical pencil?

2. What are the characteristics of the coconut leaves ash pigment core in

mechanical pencil?

3. How does the coconut leaves ash pigment core compare with

commercial pigment core in mechanical pencil?

Experimental type of research was utilized in this study. Various trials

were performed to qualitatively the finished product In this study, experimental

research methods were used. The final product performed a variety of tests to
determine its quality and to determine whether the new core produced from

coconut leaves differs from the normal one.

Findings

Based on the data obtained, the following are the findings of the study.

1. The Materials used contain properties necessary to produce pencil

cores.

2. Using flour instead of clay powder can balance the properties of

coconut leaves’ ash to make a pencil core.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, the following are the conclusion of the study:

1. The most effective combination of the length of time when the core is

under the sun and the length of time when it is in the oven is 3 hours and 10

minutes.

2. The product is budget-friendly because you can make your own pencil

at home.

Recommendation

Based on the findings and conclusions made , the following are the

suggestions and recommendations to the future researchers for the improvement

of the study.

1. Have a specific amount of materials such as coconut leaves’ ashes,

flour and water.

2. Continuous process is necessary to make accurate measurements of

the materials mentioned.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Internet Source

Ambarwati, N. S. S, Siregar, J. S., Amiruddin, J., Ahmad, I. “Pigmentation”

<https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019JPhCS1402e5076A/abstract>

Elle L. “Process” <https://youtu.be/Dm1Dy5m4hv4>

Besch, Joe. “Burning” <https://youtu.be/NuaT2Mmtdm4>

APPENDICES

PLATE 1
Coconut Leaves

PLATE 2
Burning the leaves for 5 minutes
PLATE 3
Cooling down the ashes for 10-15 minutes
PLATE 4
Fining the Ashes

PLATE 5
Sieving the ashes
PLATE 6
8g of flour

PLATE 7 PLATE 8
13g of Coconut Leaves Ashes 30ml of water
PLATE 9
Mixing the flour, Coconut leaves ashes and Water

PLATE 10
Molding of Pencil core
PLATE 11
Baking of the pencil core for 10 minutes