Utilization of Agricultural Waste: Tiger Grass Pollen as a Potential Construction Building Material

Abstract

Tiger Grass (Thysanolaena maxima) pollen is disregarded as a valuable agricultural waste; thus this study investigates its potential and beneficial uses as an alternative building insulation material with arrowroot starch as binder. Samples were prepared with the following mix proportions. Mixture A:  250 grams - tiger grass pollen and 100 grams - arrowroot starch which is equivalent to 40% of the tiger grass pollen weight. Mixture B: 250 grams - tiger grass pollen and 125 grams - arrowroot starch which is equivalent to 50% of the tiger grass pollen weight. Mixture C: 250 grams - tiger grass pollen with 150 grams - arrowroot starch which is equivalent to 60% of the tiger grass pollen weight. The samples were air-dried for 10 days. The thickness of the particleboards ranges from 8 mm to 10 mm. Based on the tests conducted for acoustic properties, thickness swelling, water absorption, and thermal conductivity, Mixtures B and C demonstrated acceptable results having met the allowable limit values.