Development of Scented Pouch from Water Hyacinth Pulp

Development of scented pouch from water hyacinth pulp project was aimed to find the optimum pulping condition of water hyacinth stem as well as the optimum bleaching condition of water hyacinth pulp, to test physical & mechanical properties of water hyacinth pulp paper and to compare sample groups satisfaction of scented pouch from water hyacinth pulp and glade scented pouch. Firstly, the optimum pulping condition of water hyacinth stem and the optimum bleaching condition of water hyacinth pulp was determined in order to make 35 40 and 45 gram of water hyacinth paper. Then, the physical & mechanical properties of paper such as the basic weight, thickness, tensile strength, bursting strength and air permeability were measured in order to from this scented pouch package. The result showed that the optimal pulping condition was to use sodium hydroxide concentration of 10% on O.D.wt. at 100±5 ºC for 120 minutes. The pulp yield was 1 1 . 8 % and the optimal bleaching condition was to use hydrogen peroxide concentration of 20% including sodium silicate concentration of 2% and sodium hydroxide concentration of 1.5% on O.D.wt. at 80- 90 ºC for 120 minutes. The pulp yield was 73.01%. The physical & mechanical properties showed that the bursting strength and the tensile strength was directly proportional to basic weight while the air permeability was inversely proportional to basic weight. According to the sample group, the scented pouch made from water hyacinth pulp weighing 35 gram had a scent profile similar to most Glade scented pouch. Overall satisfaction with scented pouch from water hyacinth pulp was therefore a comparably good level.