"The Feasibility Study of Coffee Beans and Flour as Pen Ink”

Dela Cruz, Zoe Mae C.

Santos, Charlene Mae E.

Tenorio, Thea Angella B.

St. Paul College, Island Park, Inc.

PAASCU Accredited, PEAC-FAPE (ESC) Certified

Dasmarinas, Cavite

March 2019

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of Science Enrichment 9

We, the researchers, would like to thank our Science Enrichment teacher for supervising

over our research paper patiently, for always correcting our mistakes to ensure that our paper is

reliable and well-founded.

We would like to thank our parents for their unwavering support in helping us complete

the feasibility study.

We would like to thank our classmates in contributing their knowledge and for dedicating

their time in lending their hand to us throughout the study.

2
 Table of Contents

Page

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………….....1

Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………………...2

Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………....3

List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………………..4

Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………5-8

Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature……………………………………………………....9

Chapter 3: Methodology……………………………………………………………………10-11

Chapter 4: Results and Discussion…………………………………………………………….12

Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation…………………………………...13

Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………….............14

Appendices……………………………………………………………………………..........15-16

3
 List of Figures

A. Figures Page

Figure 1………………………………………………………………………………….10

Figure 2………………………………………………………………………………….15

Figure 3………………………………………………………………………………….15

Figure 4………………………………………………………………………………….15

Figure 5………………………………………………………………………………….15

Figure 6………………………………………………………………………………….15

Figure 7………………………………………………………………………………….15

Figure 8………………………………………………………………………………….16

Figure 9………………………………………………………………………………….16

Figure 10………………………………………………………………………………...16

Figure 11………………………………………………………………………………...16

B. Tables

Table 1…………………………………………………………………………………..12

Table 2…………………………………………………………………………………..12

4
 Chapter 1

Introduction

A. Background of the Study

In the Philippines; coffee is one of our imported products, other than fuel and electronic

products. According to the Department of Agriculture, the average coffee beans that are imported

annually are 75,000 up to 100,000 metric tons. This proves how coffee beans are easily accessed

in the Philippines.

Calligraphy is an activity starting to boom in the Philippines, since it is fit for the youth

and the adolescence. Also, this hobby can release the creative side of people; hence, some artists

create their own ink.

Bread is one of the main products in the Philippines and it is also one of the businesses that

Filipinos usually manage. Children and adults enjoy consuming or even baking 'pandesal'. Making

bread, as common sense and knowledge, it requires the ingredient flour.

Coffee is essential in people's daily lives since every morning when they wake up, it is

what energizes their body and soul. Aside from this necessity, coffee is also used by some artists

as their ink in painting.

High school students are always in need of ball pens in order for them to be able to write

lectures and answer quizzes, seat works and exams. Ball pen ink is usually made from plastic,

propylene glycol and harmful chemicals which can damage the environment. Other than that, ball

5
pens are becoming more expensive by the minute and by creating own pen ink, expenses may be

lessened.

B. Statement of the Problem

A. General

This comparative study aims to determine the Feasibility of Coffee Beans and Flour as Pen

Ink:

In particular, this study sought to answer the following:

1. Is there a significant change with the quality of the ink if different amounts of coffee

bean are used?

2. Is coffee bean ink an adequate tool for writing?

B. Specific

This comparative study aims to determine the Feasibility of Coffee Beans and Flour as Pen

Ink:

In particular, this study sought to answer the following:

1. What ink will work the best; the ink consisting of coffee beans or the ink with coffee

beans and flour?

C. Objectives

A. General

The researchers' objectives are to:

6
 - Successfully create an ink made out of coffee beans with or without flour

- Reduce the use of plastic pen cartridges

B. Specific

The researchers' objectives are to:

- Test the efficiency of the coffee ink by writing it on a clean short bond paper

D. Hypothesis

1. If flour is incorporated into the coffee, then the ink would turn out to be thicker than

expected and the ink might be harder to dry on paper.

2. If the measurement added is too many or too little, the ink would not come out as expected

of the researchers.

E. Significance of the Study

This feasibility study was conducted to help lessen the use of plastic and chemicals that

may harm the environment, it is in order to reduce plastic pen cartridges.

A. Students and Teachers

- help lessen expenses in buying school supplies and to provide a resourceful

alternative to factory-produced ball pens

B. Community

- many companies may start innovating new ink with this idea but with the use of

different materials

7
 C. Other Researchers

- creates a draft for future investigatory projects, and is groundbreaker for those

beginners in the field of research

F. Scope and Delimitations

The inclusion of feasibility study, in majority, centralizes on roasted coffee beans and in

finding out what component will be suitable in successfully forming the pen ink. The researchers

will specifically use arabica coffee beans and all-purpose flour. This experiment will be conducted

in St. Paul College, Island Park inside the science laboratory. This research is not intended to form

a business, instead it is to promote and provide environmental awareness.

G. Definition of Terms

Cartridges - (n.) a holder for a roll of film or ink refill for a fountain pen

Coffee bean - (n.) a seed of the coffee plant

Flour - (n.) a finely ground and sieved wheat meal

Ink - (n.) a colored fluid used for writing or printing

Recycle - (v.) the process so that basic raw material may be used again

Viscosity - (n.) the quality or property of a fluid that causes it to resist flow

8
 Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

Pen inks were first used by scribes in Ancient Egypt when they were finding a replacement

for styluses. The first pen they invented were called reed pens, which were made from a single

reed straw but it was too rigid and didn’t last long. From then on, people started using quills, a

writing material made from a feather of a large bird. These were made popular in the 6th to the 19th

century until steel pens came into view. Ink is as old as pen and maybe even older. It was already

popular in 23rd century BC in China. Various inks made from plant, animal and mineral were used

for painting on silk and paper.

Coffee beans were first found in the Ethiopian plateau by a goat herder named Kaldi.

Legend says that he found out about the potential use of these berries when his goats ate these

berries and became listless. Researchers have found a lot of benefits from coffee beans, they are

known to protect against type 2 diabetes, lowers the risk of liver cancer and heart failure. Research

also shows that the more caffeine intake, lesser diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. A particular

doctor , Dr. Carlo La Vecchia, from Italy stated that coffee is good for your health, particularly the

liver. Despite being the number one source of antioxidants, it does have some cons. Drinking too

much coffee can cause unfavorable diseases, it can cause anxiety symptoms in normal individuals.

As well as disrupting the body clock.

Flour is commonly known to be used in cooking or in baking to provide gluten substance

in food. Other than that, flour can also be used to repel ants, to clean stainless steel and for skin

care purposes. Flour has the ability to be able to thicken liquid substances. It is certainly useful

for all ages, as it can be used as an art material, DIY beauty products and in a cleaner in our homes,

even gardens. Flour is an all-around product.

9
 Chapter 3

Methodology

Study Area

The study was conducted in St. Paul College, Island Park, Inc.’s Science Laboratory. The

school is located in Dasmarinas City, Cavite. The main component of the experiment, being Coffee

beans, was purchased in Starbucks Coffee Shop in SM Dasmarinas, Cavite. The estimated

population of the students, teacher and staff in the study area is approximately 375.

Research Design
Coffee Ink

Coffee Beans

Flour

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

Sampling Techniques

To conduct the study, the sample of Arabica coffee beans will be used. These beans will

be sourced from a commercial coffee shop.

10
Instruments Used

 ground coffee beans

 all-purpose flour

 beaker

 spatula

 coffee extractor

 paintbrush

Experimental Procedure

1. Put six teaspoons of coffee beans in the coffee extractor with boiling water. Extract the

coffee and pour it in a beaker.

2. Put four teaspoons of coffee beans in the coffee extractor with boiling. Extract the

coffee and pour it in a beaker.

3. Place both beakers on top of the electric stove and wait for the coffee to boil. Add four

teaspoons of flour to the coffee mixture with six teaspoons.

4. Mix the flour with the coffee extract. Stir until liquid is left. (optional) Add more flour

if the mixture is too watery.

5. Wait for the mixture to become warm. Dip two paintbrushes in two different beakers.

Test the ink on a clean bond paper.

11
 Chapter 4

Results and Discussion

The study was conducted two times, which gained two different results. The data which

contains the difference of the two trials are stated below:

Table 1. Trials

Amount
No. of Trials
Flour Coffee Beans

1 6 teaspoons 8 teaspoons

2 0 teaspoons 4 teaspoons

Table 2. Findings

Trial Smoothness Opacity

1 slightly smooth slightly visible

2 very smooth slightly visible

12
 Chapter 5

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

Summary

Coffee is one of the main products that we import from different countries, and Filipinos

commonly drink this to help them get up in the morning. Flour is one of the requirements in bread

making, which is one food product that Filipinos all enjoy. High school students, in their everyday

school lives, are always in need of ball pens. However, ball pens are usually made from chemicals

such as propylene glycol.

Based on the conducted trials, the researchers found that both inks, when brushed on paper,

show slight color and are slightly visible. In terms of smoothness, the first trial had a little rough

texture unlike the second trial, which was really smooth.

Conclusion

During the experiment, both trials were deemed ineffective. Both ink, when brushed on the

paper, are only slightly visible. However, trial no. 1 was only slightly smooth compared to trial no.

2 which was very smooth when it was brushed on the paper. Also, when the ink dries, the paper

seems to be water-damaged as if the ink was too watery.

Recommendation

The researchers think that the coffee ink would work, with proper ingredients. The

researchers recommend using gum arabic, a product usually used when making calligraphy ink.

Due to its purpose, it could help the coffee have a consistency and opacity that is more ink-like.

13
 Bibliography

Nordqvist, J. (2017, December 14). Coffee: Benefits, nutrition, and risks. Retrieved from

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270202.php

National Coffee Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ncausa.org/About-

Coffee/History-of-Coffee

History of Pen and Ink. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.historyofpencils.com/writing

instruments-history/history-of-ink-and-pen/

9 Clever Ways To Use Flour That You Didn't Know About · Jillee. (2018, October 10).

Retrieved from https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/uses-for-flour

14
 Appendices

Appendix A: Materials

Figure 2: ground coffee beans Figure 3: all-purpose flour

Figure 5: spatula
Figure 4: beaker

Figure 6: coffee extractor Figure 7: paintbrush

Appendix B: Methodology

15
 Figure 8: pouring boiling water Figure 9: heating the mixture

Figure 10: adding flour to the mixture Figure 11: testing the mixture

16