Utilizing Cucurbita moschata Duch. (Winter Squash) Fruit Peels as a Viable Component of Paper

• Main Authors: Dy, Sophia Angela S., Sia Tan, Jamie Denise N., Wong, Anne Kiezhia T., Wong, Franchezca Shaira I.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2021
• Subjects: Cucurbita moschata Duch.; paper; tensile strength; durability; biodegradability
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2021/poster_men/4; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/conf_shsrescon/article/1716/viewcontent/Dy_et_al.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Cucurbita moschata Duch., more commonly known as winter squash, is economically and globally important. However, given that one-third of the food made for human consumption is wasted and never consumed, this fruit is not being utilized to its full potential. As the main component of fruit-based papers such as bananas, coconuts, and corn, winter squash is rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. To resolve the 12th United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: Responsible Consumption and Production, the effectiveness, durability, tensile strength, and biodegradability of winter squash peels as the main component of homemade paper production were investigated. The produced paper underwent 20 trials of tensile strength test, scratch test, and soil burial test using an experimental research design. It was only able to pass the tensile strength test. In contrast, it failed in terms of durability and biodegradability, possibly due to the limited testing procedures and allotted time for testing. Therefore, the utilization of winter squash in paper production was ineffective in terms of the criteria mentioned above and needs further research to be classified as a practical alternative paper component.