Feasibility of Oyster Shell as Stain Remover

Feasibility of Oyster Shell as Stain Remover

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Science and Technology III February 10, 2010

Abstract

Oyster has been an important food way back since the medieval period. Up to know it is favored by many people not only because of its delicious taste but also because of its nutritional values. Just recently, Ms. Acaso and her colleagues proposed a new product that could be derived out of its shell; a stain remover. Oyster shells are made up of calcium carbonate which is also one of the main components of a detergent. Aside from that, 0.14% of extractable chlorine is also present on Oysters. The main argument here is whether or not Oyster shell would indeed be feasible for substituting the commercially available stain removers. What could be its possible effects on the plants?

The said research project was made possible through the following procedures: After gathering the materials needed, pound the Oyster shell until it became a powder-like substance. Put it first in a container and set it aside for later usage. Do this procedure with the chalk as well. Cut the fabric into equal sizes and stain it using black paint, catsup, and soy sauce. Make sure that the stains that will be put are of equal amounts. Mix 3 table spoons of pounded Oyster shell, Chalk, Chlorine, and detergent into 60 ml distilled water. Soak the stained fabrics into these treatments and set it aside. Record the changes that will took place in every desired length of time.

When the experimentation was taking place, different observations and changes were observed by the scientists. Oyster and Chalk are not soluble substances, reason why they settled at the surface and bottom of the solution. Water from the black paint has changed into black. It will be seen that chlorine is the most effective stain remover used but it has side effects. Frequent use of this substance may cause the fabric to be thin and may be an irritant to our skin. Aside from that, Chlorine, and even detergent, is proven hazardous for the plants. As for the oyster, indeed, it is proven feasible for substituting commercially available products, it is even better when compared to the chalk, further studies and development is still needed for it to attain its best effectiveness.

Review of Related Literature Oyster shell is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of bivalve mollusks which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified. True oysters are members of the family Ostridae. It includes edible oyster which mainly belongs to Ostrea, Crassaostrea, and Saccostrea. These oysters are incapable of making gem quality pearl. It is only one of the numerous highly cultivated marine creatures of the Philippines. It has been favored by food lovers throughout the century. It has been an important food since Neolithic period, and was cultivated long before Christian era. Oysters are not only delicious but they are also a well balanced food, containing protein, carbohydrates, and lipids. The National Heart and Lung Institute suggest Oyster as an ideal food for inclusion in low-cholesterol alerts. They are also excellent source of vitamin A, Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacine, Ascorbic Acid, and calciferol. Four of five medium size oysters supply the recommended daily allowance if Iron, Iodine, Magnesium, Manganese, and Phosphorus.

Based on the research done by Ms. Jessa N. Acaso and her colleagues, more than 95% of an Oyster shell is Calcium Carbonate that helps to produce chalk which is one of the components of detergent. When pounded, they produce whitish product in which based on the report conducted at ITPI, each 50g of pounded Oyster shell has 0.44% extractable chlorine which can remove stains

and 82.95% calcium carbonate which has a special white color as coating pigment that off sets stain. Scientists also found out that it has Amino Acid that could absorb large amount of liquid. Based on these gathered data, scientists also concluded that it could be used as a water cleanser.

Oyster shell stain remover, if developed will be very successful not only to housewives but also to our mother earth. We all know that detergents are not eco-friendly because it contains large amount of chlorine which reacts with organic material to trinalomethanes like chloroform which is well-known carcinogen. It is also respiratory irritant because of its pungent odor.

Problem What properties of Oyster shell does it possess that makes it feasible for substituting commercially available stain remover? Will it remove stain effectively? What would be its possible effects on plants?

Hypothesis 1. Oyster shell will be an effective alternative stain remover if further developed. 2. Pounded oyster shell has calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate or chalk is one of the components of the detergent. 3. This will be ideal for promoting the care for our environment since it doesn’t have any harmful effects to plants and other organisms. 4. Soaking the stained cloth in distilled water with pounded oyster shell will remove its stain.

Significance of the study This study aims to provide a health an eco-friendly stain remover since all commercially

available

stain

removers

react

with

organic

material

to

trinalomethanes like chloroform which is well-known carcinogen. It is also conducted to test which stain remover could off set a stain well.

Methodology: Materials used: 

Mortar and pestle



Pearl or true oyster



Chlorine



Detergent



Plant



Containers



Fabrics (plain white and printed)



Black paint



Soy sauce



Chalk

1. Pound the Oyster shell until it became a powder-like substance. Put it in a container and set it aside. 2. Pound also the chalk into a powder-like substance like the oyster. 3. Mix 3 table spoon of Oyster into 60 ml distilled water. Do this procedure with the Chalk, Detergent, and chlorine as well. 4. Cut different fabrics of equal sizes. (3x3 inches is used for this project) 5. Put stains on these cloths. Stains should be of equal amounts. 6. Soak these fabrics into different solutions that we have made. Set it aside and record all the changes that will happen. 7. Use two different plants to know the effect of Oyster shell solution and detergent on them. Water both plant with these solutions. Make sure that they are both under good condition.

Observations and result Product Pearl Oyster

*when pounded

Observations 

Brittle



Inside part of the oyster is wax-like



Outside texture is rough unlike the insides



No strong odor



Color: Outside-dirty white, inside-white



Color is dirty white with specks of brown



Odor is similar to that of a chalk only stronger



Even though it is brittle, it took long time for it to be pounded into powder like substance

Chalk

*when pounded

Chlorine



White



Brittle



Smooth



Dirty white



Irritating smell



Color yellow (according to some, its hue is similar to that of a pee)



Strong pungent odor which is lung irritant

Detergent



Causes a stingy feeling on your skin



Strong odor that can make you sneeze



White with specks of red and blue

When mixed with distilled water: Mixture Oyster shell

Observation 

Bubbles appeared on its surface



After several minutes, the solid particles settled on the bottom



After few more minutes, the water became clear because all the solid particles settled at the bottom

Detergent



Water became blue and a lot of bubbles appeared



Powder did not dissolve in one stirring. Some of the particles which are not dissolved settled at the bottom.

Chlorine

Chalk



Lost its color.



Mixed well with water



No other visible changes happened



Water became whitish



Chalk particles became stiff/ thick

Legend: Treatment A1- black paint in oyster shell Treatment A2- black paint in Chalk Treatment A3- Black paint in detergent Treatment A4- black paint in chlorine Treatment B1- catsup in oyster Treatment B2- catsup in chalk Treatment B3- catsup in detergent Treatment B4- catsup in chlorine Treatment C1- soy sauce in oyster Treatment C2- soy sauce in chalk Treatment C3- soy sauce in detergent Treatment

C4-

soy

sauce

in

chlorine

First five minutes:

Treatment

Observations Water

Treatment A1



Plain white fabric Water



beacame gray 

Color of the stain did not lessen

White particles on the surface appeared

Treatment A2





Water also



Color of the paint

became

did not lessen as

grayish

well

Some semisolid particles settled at the bottom

Treatment A3



Blue became grayish



The stain spreads

Treatment A4



Water also



Stain lessen a bit



No changes



No changes



Blue spots

became gray Treatment B1



No changes happened



Like treatment A1, some whitish substance appeared on its surface.

Treatment B2



No changes happened



Semi-solid particles settled at the bottom

Treatment B3



No changes

appeared on the fabric Treatment B4



No changes



Color has lighten already

Treatment C1



Color of the water did not



Dark brown became light

change 

White particles on its surface also appeared

Treatment C2



Water



Same with C1



Similar with C2



similar with C2

becomes clearer because white particles are settling at the bottom Treatment C3



Water is still blue



Bubbles disappeared

Treatment C4



no changes

After 24 hours: Treatment

Observations Water

Fabric

Treatment A1



Solid particles



Color of the fabric

settled at the

gradually

bottom and

becomes gray

some on top. 

The water in between is clear

Treatment A2



1/8 of the water



is taken by the

Similar with treatment A1

solid chalk particles which settled at the bottom Treatment A3



Blue water



became gray

At first, the fabric is gray in color but when washed, it became blue.

TreatmentA4



Water is gray.



Lighter than the color of the

Treatment B1



Stain on the fabric totally faded.



Fabric had

water in other

become thin, it

treatments

ripped off

Water became very light



Stain on the fabric faded but the

orange

yellow borders did not

Treatment B2



Water is still the



same.

The borders did not disappear.



At first look, it seems like the stain has completely faded but when you take a closer look, you may notice a very light brown spot at the middle

Treatment B3



Water is Blue



Fabric is blue as well. The yellow borders have been covered with its blue color.

Treatment B4



Water is very



The yellow

clear unlike the

borders also

others

faded 

Fabric became very thin.

Treatment C1



Similar with



Stain has faded

Treatment A1

but the yellow

and B1

borders used did not

Treatment C2



Similar with



Stain also

Treatment B1

disappeared but

and b2

the yellow borders did not

Treatment C3

Treatment C4





Similar with



Fabric has been

other detergent

covered by blue

treatments

color

Water is clear



Same with other fabrics that was soaked in Chlorine.

Effect of Detergent and Oyster to plants

Condition of the Plant before experiment:

Plant A (Oyster) 

Under good condition



With 4 flowers and 5 flower buds



It has no dry leaves

Plant B (detergent) 

Plant under good condition



With 4 flowers and 6 flower buds



It has no dry leaves

Day 1: Plant A: No changes Plant B: No changes Day 2: Plant A: No changes Plant B: No changes Day 3: Plant A: No changes Plant B: Yellow Pigment on the leaves started to appear Day 4: Plant A: Flower Buds start to open. Few leave starting to turn yellow Plant B: Leaves are still the same with day 3

Day 5: Plant A: Plant still under normal condition Progress of the flower bud is still the same. No leaves started to change anymore. Plant B: Yellow pigment starts to scatter. Flower buds do not open anymore Day 6 and 7: Saturday and Sunday Day 8: Plant A Still under normal condition Plant B: All the leaves are dry already as well as the flowers. Stems and branches are darker than the usual.

Effect of Oyster, Chalk, Detergent, and Chlorine to colored fabrics (after 24 hours) Oyster Shell No changes Chalk Became whitish in color but when washed with clean water it turned back to its original color Detergent Blue spots appeared. When dried, these turned into white. Chlorine Color faded. Ruined the fabric

6

Soy sauce

5

4

3

2

1

0 oyster

chalk

detrgent

chlorine

6

Paint

5 4 Series1

3 2 1 0 oyster

chalk

detrgent

chlorine

Catsup 6 5 4 Series1

3 2 1 0 oyster

chalk

detergent

chlorine

Description: The graph above shows the effectiveness of different stain removers used. When studied, it will show that chlorine off sets different stains well.

Conclusion:

After series of experimentations, Scientists were able to come up with different conclusions. Each of the proposed stain removers is effective in different aspects. It could be noticed that Chlorine has the most successful outcome, but it has a side effect. First is that often usage of these product may damage your clothes and your skin. Second, it is not suitable for colored fabrics. Color-safe stain removers have already come out of the public but its effectiveness is not as much as the chlorine and it has a costly price thus, not recommended to housewives who wanted to save money. Lastly, it is dangerous for our plants. Based on the experiment, the development of the plant watered with Chlorine ceased. It also caused the plant to be withered. Oyster shell is more effective than chalk or calcium carbonate most especially if it will be developed. It has no direct harmful effect on the plant. As to the detergent, the amount of detergent is not proportioned to the amount of the water. The black paint was the most difficult stain to off set.

Recommendation: Further studies and development of this product will make it more successful. When conducting the experiment, make sure that all the materials used are of equal amounts.