Shoe Polish out of Banana Peel extract

An Investigative Project

Presented to:

Mr. Paul Keenan C. Butt

At

Philippine Women’s University Jose Abad Santos Edsa QC

In Partial fulfilment of the research in Chemistry

By: Gabrielle Balanon
III-Newton

March 2014

Abstract
The product of my research is a shoe polish made out of Banana peel extract. Tannin, an astringent that is an important ingredient in the process of tanning leather, can be found in Banana peels. This makes it an efficient ingredient for making shoe polish. I also decided to use Banana peels because there is a significant amount of banana peel waste being generated all around the world, so instead of just throwing them away and letting them rot, it’s better to put them to good use. The materials and ingredients needed for my research are very easy to get a hold of and doesn’t cost much as well. The process of making the product won’t take long either. It is a very affordable and effective product. It goes to show that Banana peels are more than just a part of the classic physical comedy slapstick visual gag, the "slipping on a banana peel" because it can actually make your shoes shine.

Acknowledgement
In the making of this research, I have a number of people who I would like to acknowledge for their unending patience and their big help.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge my parents. For all the patience they have given me. They have put in the effort of their time, energy and money. They have given me their advice and personal experiences in making their investigative projects. Without them I would not be able to finish or even start this investigative project.
Next, I would like to acknowledge the help of our fellow classmates. With their help and additional information I was able to finish this Investigative Project successfully. They have enthusiastically approved of taking part in my surveys and evaluations and added their comments and suggestions that improved my product.
I also acknowledge our Chemistry teacher, Sir Paul, who aided us all through every step of the way. He corrected our wrongs and led us to the right direction in making this IP. He never failed to remind us of our responsibilities in making our investigatory project. He added her professional suggestions into making our products more efficient. He approved the right investigative projects out of all the proposals we have given him, knowing that we have the strength to cope with it. This research plays a big role in our education because in just an earlier year in high school we are already practiced to do something for college. With his help, we will be making our college thesis a lot easier because of the foundation he has given us this year. Without Sir Paul this Investigative Project won’t be successful and for his unending patience and strong guidance, we thank him.
Lastly, I would like to thank the most powerful and Almighty Creator. With the blessing of His guidance, knowledge, courage and strength we were all able to wake up every day and remember our responsibilities in making this Investigative Project. None of this would even be possible if it weren’t for Him and I give all our thanks and praise.
To everyone I acknowledged, I would always keep in mind all of your support and treasure it as a big gratitude, I will make sure that all your efforts won’t be put into waste.

Table of Contents
I. Title page
II. Abstract ------------------------------------------------------- i
III. Acknowledgement ------------------------------------------ ii-iii
IV. Table of contents ------------------------------------------- iv
V. Chapter 1 -----------------------------------------------------
A. Background of the study ------------------------------------- Page 1
B. Statement of the problem ----------------------------------- Page 1
C. Significance of the study ------------------------------------- Page 1-2
D. Scope and Limitations ---------------------------------------- Page 2
E. Review of related Literature -------------------------------- Pages 2-4
VI. Chapter 2: Methodology ---------------------------------------- Pages 5-6
VII. Chapter 3: Result and Discussion -------------------------------Pages 6-8
VIII. Chapter 4: Summary and Conclusion ---------------------------- Page 9
IX. Chapter 5: Recommendation --------------------------------------- Page 10
X. Bibliography ------------------------------------------------------------ Page 11
XI. Appendix ---------------------------------------------------------------- Page 12

Chapter I
A. Background of the study
The topic of our research is to find an alternative ingredient for making shoe polish. Banana peels, which have tannin; an astringent used in the tanning of leather, was highly suggested as an ingredient. So we used its extract as an alternative.
B. Statement of the problem
General Objectives
1. To find a way to be able to reuse the significant amount of Banana peel waste generated all around the world, and put it to better use.
2. To find an alternative ingredient for the production of shoe polish.
Specific Objectives
1. Why are Banana peels an effective medium for my product?
2. Why would people prefer our shoe polish from the regular ones that are produced?

C. Significance of the study
Like I said earlier, this study can help the lessening of Banana peel waste generated all over the world, and put it to better use. This study can also provide for the maintenance of our leather shoes which we use almost every day for school and work.
This study can help discover the similar elements that form ordinary shoe polish and banana peels. This study is also significant because it can lead to other opportunities in which we can use other alternative products to form shoe polish.

D. Scope and Limitations
The scope and limitations of my product are as follows:
It helps in the proper care and maintenance of leather shoes, which is an essential part of shoe ownership. Proper polishing not only keeps your shoes shiny and new-looking, it also moisturizes and conditions the leather and prolongs the life of your shoes. It can also put into good use, the banana peel waste that is generated everywhere.
Although, there are factors in our product that are not as highly effective as well known shoe polish brands. Some of the problems I encountered in the making of product are: a) I didn’t know the exact process of getting the banana peel extract so I just boiled the banana peels in a pot that had a small amount of water in it; b) I had to redo my product because the first trial failed. I didn’t use the right amount of kerosene which led to the product being hard and not consistent enough.

E. Review of Related Literature
Banana(musa paradisiaca)is a general term embracing a number of species or hybrids in the genus Musa of the family Musaceae.
A banana peel is the outer covering of the banana fruit.
As bananas, whether eaten raw or cooked, are a popular fruit consumed worldwide, with yearly production over 145 million tonnes in 2011, there is a significant amount of banana peel waste being generated as well.
Banana peels are used as feedstock as they have some nutritional value. Banana peels are widely used for that purpose on small farms in regions where bananas are grown. There are some concerns over the impact of tannins contained in the peels on animals that consume them. Banana peels are used as feedstock for cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbits, fish and several other species.
The specific nutrition contained in peel depends on the stage of maturity and the cultivar; for example plantain peels contain less fibre than dessert banana peels, and lignin content increases with ripening (from 7 to 15% dry matter). On average, banana peels contain 6-9% dry matter of protein and 20-30% fibre (measured asNDF). Green plantain peels contain 40% starch that is transformed into sugars after ripening. Green banana peels contain much less starch (about 15%) when green while ripe banana peels contain up to 30% free sugars.
Banana peels are also used for water purification, to produce ethanol, cellulase, laccase and in composting.
Shoe Polish is a consumer product used to shine, waterproof, and restore the appearance of leather shoes or boots, thereby extending the footwear's life.
Since medieval times, dubbin, a waxy product, was used to soften and waterproof leather; however, it did not impart shine. It was made from natural wax, oil, soda ash and tallow. As leather with a high natural veneer became popular in the eighteenth century, a high glossy finish became important, particularly on shoes and boots. In most cases, a variety of homemade polishes were used to provide this finish, often with lanolin or beeswax as a base.
In the nineteenth century, many forms of shoe polish became available, yet were rarely referred to as shoe polish or boot polish. Instead, they were often called blacking (especially when mixed with lampblack), or simply continued to be referred to as dubbin. Tallow, an animal by-product, was used to manufacture a simple form of shoe polish at this time. Chicago, Illinois, where 82% of the meat consumed in the United States was processed in the stock yards, became a major shoe polish producing area for this reason.

Chapter II Methodology
A. Materials
- Banana Peels/ Banana Peel extract
-Kerosene
-Candles
-Pot
-Stirrer
- Container for the final product

B. Procedure

1. In making the product, first, melt the candles in a pot.
2. While in a low fire, combine the kerosene and extract of the banana peels with the melted candle.
3. After stirring the mixtures, pour it into a container.
4. Let it cool and harden.
5. Then the shoe polish is ready to use.

C. Flowchart of the procedure

D. Procedure Documentation

Chapter III: Result and Discussion
A. Findings
During our Science exhibit, we asked 10 teachers to evaluate or products. The Criteria for evaluation was: Texture= 25%, Smell=25%, Adherence to procedure= 30% and Presentation= 20%, for a total of 100%.
Here are the results: Criteria

Name
Texture = 25%
Smell = 25%
Adherence to procedure = 30%
Presentation= 20%

Total= 100%

B. Analysis of Data Based on my findings, and on the opinions and reactions of the evaluators to my product, I can safely say that my product is effective and can pass as good as the regular commercial shoe polish. Maybe one of the things that needs to be improved is the consistency of the product, because I think that its spreading factor can do better. Another thing that can be improved is the packaging.

Chapter IV: Summary and Conclusion From all the research and information we have gathered for this thesis, we are down to summarizing and concluding our findings. Because we wear our leather shoes almost every day for work and school we wanted to make a product that will be effective to its maintenance. It is also known that there are massive amounts of banana peel waste generated all over the world, and that Banana peels contain Tannin which is used for the tanning of leather. So why not use Banana peel extract as an ingredient for Shoe polish? Proper care and maintenance is an essential part of shoe ownership. Proper polishing not only keeps your shoes shiny and new-looking, it also moisturizes and conditions the leather and prolongs the life of your shoes. These are the benefits that my product provides. I therefore conclude that Banana peel extract can be used as an effective ingredient to the production of shoe polish and can help to the maintenance of leather shoes.

Chapter V: Recommendations I highly recommend the usage of my product since it already has been sufficiently proven to be effective. In the application of the product, one must use a rag and swipe it in the polish to get a sufficient amount. Then, rub it down the shoes until the polish has spread out. I also recommend that the polish can be an alternative as floor wax since they have the same composition. I have personally tried it on our floor and it works, as well. If any of you choose to reproduce the product, I highly suggest to find different ways of getting the banana peel extract since that was where I had a lot of trouble with. I also suggest you to not chastise the use of kerosene because I once only put 5 drops and I had to redo it because it wasn’t consistent enough. Bibliography
“THE FEASIBILITY OF PRODUCING SHOE POLISHER OUT OF BANANA PEELINGS” http://may-shoepolish.blogspot.com/ on April 11, 2008
“Banana Peel” http://wikipedia.org
“Tannin” http://wikipedia.org
“Banana (Musa Paradisiaca) Peel Shoe Polish” http://region3.dost.gov.ph
“How to Make Banana Peel Tea” http://www.wikihow.com
“Kerosene” http://www.wikipedia.org
“Shoe Shining: Its Modern Benefits” http:// www.tienechic.com/