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Small Scale Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Paper Making Utilizing Groundnut Husks within the Zirobwe-Bukimu Community

Kiyonga Zaidi and Obwola Vand Geoffrey

Department of Physical Sciences, School of Natural and Applied Science, Kampala International University Uganda.

ABSTRACT

Paper production from agricultural residues offers an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional wood-based methods. Groundnut shells, rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, present a promising resource for paper pulp production due to their physical strength and abundance as agricultural by-products. This project aimed to assess the feasibility of converting groundnut shells into paper pulp and their suitability for papermaking. Two sample groups were established: Group A underwent an extended soaking and retting process at lower temperatures (25°C) for six days, followed by mechanical extraction using a blender. In contrast, Group B experienced a shorter soaking and retting period of four days at warmer temperatures (35°C) before mechanical extraction. Additionally, Group A was treated with a higher quantity of starch (10% by weight) compared to Group B (5% by weight). The study evaluated the quality of paper sheets produced by each group. Group A exhibited higher fiber yields due to prolonged soaking and retting, although resulting in paper with divergent characteristics from standard quality. Notably, paper from Group A displayed increased roughness and reduced tensile strength compared to Group B, which produced fibers closely resembling standard paper characteristics. However, the slightly lower fiber yield in Group B suggests a potential balance between extraction efficiency and paper quality. Additionally, starch played a crucial role in the paper-making process. While higher starch quantities in Group A contributed to increased fiber yield, excessive starch content adversely affected paper quality. Optimal starch levels are essential to achieve the desired balance between extraction efficiency and paper characteristics. These findings emphasize the complex relationship between extraction conditions and paper quality, highlighting the need for thorough optimization of extraction techniques to strike a balance between yield and desired paper properties. In summary, this research contributes to advancing eco-friendly paper production practices and informs sustainable resource utilization in the paper industry. Further research is warranted to refine extraction methods and parameters, facilitating sustainable paper production from agricultural waste.

Keywords: Paper, pulp, groundnut shells, eco-friendly, Starch, Paper quality

CITE AS: Kiyonga Zaidi and Obwola Vand Geoffrey (2024). Small Scale Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Paper Making Utilizing Groundnut Husks within the Zirobwe-Bukimu Community. INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 12(2):24-32. https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRAS/2024/12.2.243200