CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In the research, the researchers used okra stems. It is well known in the paper

production (likewise the other brands of industry) has enormous effects on the

environment. The using and processing of raw materials has a variety of negative

effects on the environment. At the other hand there are technologies which can

moderate the negative impacts on the environment and they also have a positive

economic effect. One of these processes is the recycling, which is not only the next use

of the wastes. The main benefit of the recycling is a double decrease of the environment

loading, known as an environmental impact reducing. From the first view point, the

natural resources conserves at side of the manufacturing process inputs, from the second

view point, the harmful compounds amount leaking to the environment decreases at

side of the manufacturing process outputs. The paper production from the recycled

fibers consumes less energy; conserves the natural resources viz. wood and decreases

the environmental pollution.

The first large scale paper recycling is believed to take place during the World

War I in the U.S. In the Second World War, paper recycling once again received a

significant boost caused by the need for materials. With the passage of time, the paper

recycling rate slowly increased and according to sources, around 75 percent of paper

and paperboard mills in the United States use recovered paper in the production of new

paper. The same report states that 40 percent of the mills rely only on recycled paper.

Nearly all kinds of papers are recyclable. Paper items which are not typically acceptable

in collection bins include brown and craft envelopes, carbon paper, paper towels,
tissues, candy wrappers, coffee cups, and pizza boxes. Some of the most commonly

recycled paper items include cardboard, newsprint and magazines, manuals and

booklets, and assorted office papers.

In making the paper, the pulp is needed. Once the pulp is ready, it is then used

to make paper in a process that is quite similar (in the basic actions) to the process first

used by the ancient Chinese more than 1,900 years ago. Because the pulp mixture is so

watery (sometimes as much as 99 percent water), the cellulose fibers need to be

separated from the watery mixture.

Okra

Fresh okra is a popular ingredient of soups and stews where a highly viscous

consistency is desired (Baxter, 1990). Okra has a high nutritional value and grows very

quickly with high temperatures, which lends its production to more tropical parts of the

world (Costa et al., 1981). Okra seeds are a source of oil, protein and are also used as a

coffee substitute, while ground-up okra seeds have been used as a substitute for

aluminum salts in water purification (Camciuc et al, 1998). The nutritional value of 100

g of edible portion of okra contains 1.9 g of protein, 0.2 g fat, 6.4 g carbohydrate, 0.7 g

minerals and 1.2 g fiber (Tiwari et al, 1998). Okra production is affected by climatic

factors and cultural practices, including planting density. When the okra variety was

planted at spacings of 60 x 15, 60 x 30 or 60 x 45 cm, Amjad (2001) found that the

lowest planting density (3.7 plants.m-2) resulted in the maximum number of 14.43

mature pods per plant and the highest planting density (11.1 plants.m-2) had the lowest

number of 11.3 pods per plant of okra. This was probably because in the lowest planting
density, plants receive more nutrients and lateral growth takes place resulting in

increased number of pods per plant.

Fiber

The stems used contained fiber. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body

can’t digest. Though most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar molecules, fiber

cannot be broken down into sugar molecules, and instead it passes through the body

undigested. To make paper from trees, the raw wood must first be turned into "pulp."

Wood pulp is a watery “soup" of cellulose wood fibers, lignin, water, and the chemicals

used during the pulping process. The cellulose fibers are stuck together with a natural

glue called "lignin." When the lignin is removed, and the cellulose fibers are separated

and reorganized, paper can be made. (Zotti, 2005)

The resulting pulp retains most of its lignin, though. The short fibers created by

grinding leads to weak paper most suitable for newsprint, phone books, or other types

of low-strength papers. The more commonly used method is chemical pulping, also

known as “kraft." Chemicals are used to separate lignin from the cellulose fibers,

leaving a pulp mixture that can make stronger papers. Once the pulp is ready, it is then

used to make paper in a process that is quite similar (in the basic actions) to the process

first used by the ancient Chinese more than 1,900 years ago. Because the pulp mixture

is so watery (sometimes as much as 99 percent water!), the cellulose fibers need to be

separated from the watery mixture. (Zotti, 2005)

Baking soda is a white crystalline powder (NaHCO3) better known to chemists

as sodium bicarbonate, bicarbonate of soda, sodium hydrogen carbonate, or sodium

acid carbonate. It is a base that helps in formation of the pulp. It is classified as an acid

salt, formed by combining an acid (carbonic) and a base (sodium hydroxide), and it

reacts with other chemicals as a mild alkali. At temperatures above 300 degrees

Fahrenheit (149 degrees Celsius), baking soda decomposes into sodium carbonate (a

more stable substance), water, and carbon dioxide. The native chemical and physical

properties of baking soda account for its wide range of applications, including cleaning,

deodorizing, buffering, and fire extinguishing. Consequently, it is used in bath salts and

deodorant body powders. Baking soda tends to maintain a pH of 8.1 (7 is neutral) even

when acids, which lower pH, or bases, which raise pH, are added to the solution.