Development and utilization of blended purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and lady’s finger (abelmoschus esculentus) fibers as an alternative for textile material
Authors: Cabigon Emily 
Published: July 2024

Blending is a technique to overcome the poor characteristics of one fiber. It is the technique of combining fibers that emphasizes the good qualities and minimizes poor qualities of the fibers. It also makes the fabric manufacturing process economical (Bhardwaj et al., 2012). The purpose of this study was to develop and utilize blended Purple Nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and Lady's Finger (abelmoschus esculentus) Fibers as an Alternative for Textile Material. Developmental method of research was employed in the weaving of the fibers into textile while the experimental method was applied for the characterization. A sensory evaluation sheet was used to determine the acceptability and utilization of the textile into Filipiñana blouse. The plant materials used in this study are mainly stalk of purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and the stem of lady's finger (abelmoschus esculentus). The statistical tool used was the mean which was used to determine the acceptability of Textile from Blended Purple Nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and Lady’s Finger (abelmoschus esculentus,) Fibers as an Alternative for Textile Material. There were twenty-five experts who evaluated the product composed of dress shop owner, and fashion designers. The product had undergone a series of testing as to its qualities. It was tested that blended purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and lady’s finger (abelmoschus esculentus) fibers have low elongation compared to jute-cotton blend but higher tensile strength. As to the result of its burning test, the textile from blended purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and lady’s finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) fiber was like a silk and wool fabric wherein it burns but does not melt. It shrinks from the flame. The odor was like of charred meat. The residue was black, hollow irregular bead that can easily resemble a gritty black powder. It was self-extinguishing and it burned itself out. That textile from blended purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and lady’s finger (abelmoschus esculentus) fibers was likely similar to a cotton textile in terms of shrinkage. A fabric blend of 65% Polyester and 35% Cotton absorbed the 12.5% amount of water and it was similar to the textile of blended purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and lady’s finger (abelmoschus esculentus) fibers with 11 percent of water absorbency. Textile from blended purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and lady’s finger (abelmoschus esculentus) fibers soaked with 2 grams of detergent powder and the reaction of the three trials were the same wherein it became slightly dark and intact. The textile from blended purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and lady’s finger (abelmoschus esculentus) fibers was "Very Acceptable" in terms of feeling, presence of plugs, irregularity of the ribs, color shade, and color variation. A Filipiñana blouse from blended purple nutsedge (cyperus rotundus) and lady’s finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) textile resulted to a “Strongly Agree” in terms of design, style, usability, authenticity, and fashionability.