The study and optimization of the hygroscopic properties of selected natural products with an aim of designing a sanitary pad suitable for low- and middle-income population

Figures & data

Figure 1. Section design of the sanitary pad.

Figure 2. Sanitary pad section.

Figure 3. The Layout of a Sanitary Pad.

Figure 4. Interaction of variables for maize stalk pulp.

Figure 5. Interaction curves of the maize pulp absorptions.

Figure 6. Interaction plots for final mass.

Figure 7. Water absorption capacity at different NaOH concentration and time.

Figure 8. Water retention setup.

Figure 9. Absorbency rate.

Figure 10. Change in mass vs. time- oven drying the pulp.

Figure 11. Change in mass vs. time - oven drying the pulp.

Figure 12. The top part of the sanitary pad.

Figure 13. The bottom part of the sanitary pad.

Figure 14. The cross-sectioned of the sanitary pad.

Table 1. Comparison of performance of blending maize stalk pulp with water hyacinth pulp in relation to commercial pads

	Property	Maize Internal Tissue/Water Hyacinth Pulp	Commercial Pad
1	Retention	50–55% in 24 Hours	75% In 24 Hours
2	Retention Capacity	50% − 25mls –under loading	20–30 ml
3	Absorption Rate	2 Minutes	50 Seconds
4	Bleaching	H2O2	HClO2
5	Polymer Use	No	Yes
6	Disperse In Water	2 Minutes	5 Minutes
7	Drying Rate (Sun)	Moderate	Slow

Table 2. Comparison of performance of maize internal tissue pulp relation to the commercial pads

	Property	Maize Internal Tissue Pulp	Commercial Pad
1	Retention	55% In 24 Hours	75% In 24 Hours
2	Retention Capacity	50% − 25- 27mls – under loading	20–30 ml
3	Absorption Rate	2 Minutes 30 Seconds	50 Seconds
4	Bleaching	H2O2	HClO2
5	Polymer Use	No	Yes
6	Disperse In Water	2 Minutes	5 Minutes
7	Drying Rate	Slow	Slow

Table 3. Comparison of performance water hyacinth pulp in relation to the commercial pads

	Property	Water Hyacinth Pulp	Commercial Pad
1	Retention	50 % In 24 Hours	75% In 24 Hours
2	Retention Capacity	50% − 25mls–under loading	20–30 ml
3	Absorption Rate	1 Minutes 46 Seconds	50 Seconds
4	Bleaching	H2O2	HClO2
5	Polymer Use	No	Yes
6	Disperse In Water	2 Minutes 15 Seconds	5 Minutes
7	Drying Rate	High	Slow

Table

Abbreviation
SAP	Super absorbent polymers
KEBS	Kenya Bureau of standards
KS	Kenyan Standards
NaOH	Sodium hydroxide
H2O2	Hydrogen peroxide
C	Celsius

Data availability statement

The article itself contains data configurations that support its conclusions.