The effect of adding NaHCO3, NH4H2PO4, and KHCO3 and DNA from Fragaria ananassa in water to evaluate its fire-extinguishing characteristics on cotton fibers by testing its flammability rate

Deaths from household fires is the third cause of fatal home injuries (CDC, 2014). When potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO­3), and Ammonium phosphate monobasic (NH4H2PO4) are added to a fire, it is easily decomposed because of the present heat which allows CO2 and water vapor to quickly satiate the flame (Elmore, 2012). DNA\u27s natural structure makes it an ideal intumescent fire retardant—it has a backbone of sugar and phosphate and contains a nitrogen base. Current research has shown that when DNA coated cotton is heated, the phosphate gives off phosphoric acid, which then, pulls water from the cotton fibers so it leaves behind a residue rich in carbon, resistant to burning. The purpose of this experiment was to see if sodium bicarbonate, ammonium phosphate monobasic, or potassium bicarbonate when combined with DNA and added to water reduces its flammability rate. It was hypothesized that DNA from Fragaria ananassa, combined with water and respective chemicals, would have a lower flammability rate compared to the dry chemicals that were fused in water. These chemicals were measured into 2, 4, 6, and 8 grams respectively and blended with water. DNA from the Fragaria ananassa was extracted, purified in ethanol, and dissolved in water. Individual cotton strips were soaked in this solution of dissolved DNA. The cotton strips were dipped in the water that contained its respective compound. These were left to dry for two days. The flammability rates were tested and data were analyzed using an ANOVA at alpha equal to 0.05 and the null hypothesis was rejected for both parts of the experiment, F(11, 168)=108.92, P\u3c0.001(without DNA) and F(11,168)=92.73, P\u3c0.001 (containing DNA). A Tukey test was conducted to see which compound with and without DNA varied and the result contained one significant difference between the 2 grams and the 8 grams of sodium bicarbonate and there was a significant difference between all amounts of the sodium bicarbonate containing DNA