CALAMANSI-ALOE VERA-MALUNGGAY

ORGANICANTIBACTERIAL HAND SANITIZER

Submitted to:

MS. WELLA BRIONES

Submitted by:

LUNA, FRANCZESKA MA. NADINE B.

CAPULONG, JULIANA ISABELLE P.

BRINGEL, KRISTEN CZECIL

SANCHEZ, EURICKA KIRSTEN

HERRERA, LOUIZ BYRONE

PUNZALAN, ALEN

OBIS, AMDREI

MABIDA, JOHVIC

9-CHARITY

MARYHILL COLLEGE

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

With the on-going Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) scare, it is but necessary that we

keep ourselves and our environment clean and sanitize all the time. We can help protect

ourselves from this spread by practicing precautionary and preventive measures being advocated

by the health authorities such as to avoid being exposed to the virus itself by keeping away from

sick or infected people, doing travel restrictions, donning face mask and other personal

protective equipment, practicing proper handwashing, or even using alcohol or alcohol-based

hand sanitizers.

In as much as handwashing is the simplest and most inexpensive yet effective tool to help

avoid catching the dreaded virus and other bacteria, not everyone has an easy access to a sink

with water and soap, or simply with water and soap. As such, the next simpler and applicable

measure one can adopt is through the use of alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Does hand sanitizer protect one from Coronavirus? Yes, according to Melanie Woods

from her Huffpost news article published in January 27, 2020 and updated on February 7, 2020

which says “Yes. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not only effective at

preventing the transmission of Coronavirus, but the transmission of viral

infections in general. According to Public Health Canada, they need to have

around 60 or 70 per cent alcohol content, which is the case for most over-the

counter hand sanitizers. According to University of Toronto professor James

Scott, this percentage is actually even more effective than 100 per cent

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rubbing alcohol, because the little bit of water improves the way the alcohol

penetrates and kills viruses’ outer coatings.”1

Sadly, however, since the Coronavirus outbreak occurred, many people panicked and get

to hoard these available hand cleaners at the market.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In the midst of an outbreak, such as the COVID-19, finding simple on-the-go tools that

could help lessen or eradicate the spread of virus and bacteria which can be easily acquired

through conscious or unconscious hand contacts are very helpful.

Handwashing being the simplest and easiest thing to do is the most being advocated by

the infectious control authorities. However, not everyone can do handwashing at any given time.

Thus, many people resort to the use of alcohol or available commercially prepared alcohol-based

hand sanitizers or hand antiseptic. The idea of using this substitute is accepted, but as the

pandemic reached globally now, the availability of these once accessible hand infection control

tool declined.

The Researchers considered this market shortage, and thought of a way of concocting an

alternative, which will not only be as beneficial, but will be much healthier as the researchers

plans to utilize mostly organic plant-based materials which are readily available in the local

market.

The Researchers will test if the hand sanitizer made from a combination of various plant

juice, gel, and extracts such as those of Calamansi (Citrofortunella Microcarpa), Aloe Vera (Aloe

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Barbadensis), and Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) which can be easily sourced locally is feasible,

and will it be a good organic antibacterial hand sanitizers.

Calamansi (Citrofortunella Microcarpa), which is also known as Calamondin or

Philippine lime is rich in Vitamin C and certain antioxidants such as limonene, as well as

potassium, calcium, and Vitamin A. This citrus fruit is abundant in our country, as is very easy to

cultivate and can be grown even in our backyard. The top benefit of Calamansi juice is its ability

to boost the immune system. The Vitamin C in Calamansi juice/extract is also a crucial element

in collagen production, which is the compound, needed to create every tissue in the body. This

juice can deliver a burst of ascorbic acid that will facilitate the body’s ability to grow, as well as

repair damage from injury, illness, or surgery.

Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis), is an herbal medicine which has been used for various

purposes since the ancient Egyptian times. It is called the Plant of Immortality. Aloe Vera is a

succulent plant which grows in arid and subtropical climates. The Aloe leaves secrete a clear gel

that can be applied topically to heal wounds and soothe skin. Aloe Vera is a very good source of

antioxidants than is useful in preventing skin damage from radiation. Research backs up ancient

use of topical aloe as a skin treatment. Studies show that aloe gel might be effective in treatment

of psoriasis, seborrhea, dandruff, and minor burn injuries and skin abrasions, as well as radiation-

induced injuries.

Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera), is a popular plant known for its high nutritional value, as

well as an herbal medicine. It is a plant that grows in tropical climates such as the Philippines.

Malunggay is also called a Miracle Tree, primarily due to its various health benefits for almost

all kinds of diseases and medical conditions. It is used as skin restorer to promote skin

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rejuvenation. “In late 1940's, The Department of Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science

in Bangalore (PLN Rao) have found that Malunggay or Moringa Oleifera leaves contain a

compound "pterygospermin" that is known in medical science as having antimicrobial,

antibacterial, anti-fungal properties.”2

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This investigatory project aims to answer the following questions:

1. Can a combination of Calamansi (Citrofortunella Microcarpa), Aloe Vera (Aloe

Barbadensis), and Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) juice, gel, or extracts be used as

ingredients of an organic antibacterial hand sanitizer?

2. Will this homemade organic anti-bacterial hand sanitizer be as effective as

commercially-prepared hand sanitizers in eradicating germs at the hands?

3. Will this organic antibacterial hand sanitizer produce side effects with its constant

use?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The idea of coming up with this kind of study emerged from the experience of one of the

Researchers and her Mother while vigorously looking for available alcohol and alcohol-based

hand sanitizers at the height of the Coronavirus outbreak. Several stores were searched for the

items but to no avail as stocks were swiftly depleted.

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 The Researchers deem that this study is significant as this can help everyone realize how

simple and accessible local plants such as Calamansi, Aloe Vera and Malunggay can be of great

help in creating healthy and handy tools such as this organic antibacterial hand sanitizer in times

of medical emergencies.

The thought of replacing the chemicals in commercially prepared hand sanitizers with

these plant-based ingredients are due to health and economic reasons, as these plants are known

for their health benefits and are available locally at affordable prices.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This investigatory project hopes to help in addressing simple medical emergencies by

providing healthy, cost-effective, and immediately available disease-prevention tool through the

use of inexpensive and accessible plant-based components for the organic antibacterial hand

sanitizer, as an alternative to chemical components from the commercially-prepared hand

sanitizers.

This likewise aspires to educate more the readers and participants on the health benefits

of some local plants in the market and in our backyard such as Calamansi, Aloe Vera, and

Malunggay.

Further, this project aims make us realize that cleanliness does not always equate to much

expense.

Possible limitation of the project is that it cannot be compared point by point with the

commercially-prepared hand sanitizer due to the vague ingredients disclosed in the store-

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available hand sanitizers, and that different brands of these store-bought hand sanitizers have

different ingredients thereon.

Likewise, actual positive and negative effects of the long-term use of the combined plant

ingredients of this organic antibacterial hand-sanitizer cannot be immediately gauged due to the

limited time that the study will be conducted.

Also, actual effectiveness of the homemade organic antibacterial hand sanitizer cannot be

fully ascertained due to limited tools in fully gauging the presence nor absence of actual

microorganisms. Such will be detected only superficially through the use of naked eye.

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