Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region I
Schools Division Office
BONUAN BUQUIG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
THE POTENTIAL OF MANGROVE APPLE (SONNERATIA ALBA) AND BANANA
PEEL (SABA) AS ANTI-BACTERIAL CLEANING PASTE
A Research Paper Presented to the Faculty
of Senior High School as a Partial Requirement of the Subjects
in Practical Research & Inquiries, Investigations and Immersion
by
ZIANNE DOMINIQUE V. GELIDON
CRISTINA MARGAUX M. MANUEL
ROBIE CARMEL A. VILLARIAS
AISHA FAYE S. FRIANEZA
SELWYN IAN R. FAJARDO
12- STEM INGENUITY
SALVACION S. MALANUM, MT-II
Research Adviser
August 2025
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Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region I
Schools Division Office
BONUAN BUQUIG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page ………………………………………………………………… i
Table of Contents………………………………………….……….……. ii
………………………………………………………………...
I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................ 1
Background and Rationale of the Study............................ 2
Literature Review................................................................ 2
Statement of the Problem.................................................... 6
Hypothesis............................................................................ 7
Significance of the Study....................................................... 8
Scope and Delimitation.......................................................... 8
Definition and Terms.............................................................. 9
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework...................................... 11
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Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region I
Schools Division Office
BONUAN BUQUIG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
INTRODUCTION
Background and Rationale of the Study
In recent years, increasing awareness of the harmful effects of chemical-based cleaning
products on human health and the environment has prompted researchers to seek natural,
sustainable alternatives. Plant-based materials with known antibacterial properties have
emerged as particularly promising candidates. This study focuses on two often overlooked
natural resources: mangrove apples (Sonneratia alba) and saba banana peels. Both contain
bioactive compounds with antibacterial potential but remain underutilized in cleaning product
development.
Environmental conservation and public health concerns underscore the importance of
exploring such natural alternatives. Using plant-based ingredients can reduce chemical
exposure for consumers and minimize ecological harm caused by synthetic cleaning agents.
Despite growing interest in fruit extracts for their antibacterial effects, very few studies have
investigated the combined use of mangrove apples and banana peels, especially in the form
of a cleaning paste. This gap in the literature reveals a unique opportunity for innovation in
eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
This study emphasizes the importance of using mangrove apples and banana peels as
safe, efficient antibacterial agents by outlining the antibacterial qualities of these materials
and their possible synergistic effects. In addition to advancing scientific knowledge, filling this
research gap will help address the growing demand for environmentally friendly cleaning
products. The goal of this project is to support additional research and testing into these
natural materials as workable substitutes that will protect the environment and the general
public's health.
Literature Review
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Banana peels have been increasingly studied for their functional and biological properties,
particularly their antibacterial potential. Hashim et al. (2022) investigated the phytochemical,
nutritional, and therapeutic value of banana peel (BP) extracts before and after fermentation.
Their findings revealed that BP contained bioactive compounds such as tannins,
flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and quinones, which are known for their antimicrobial and
antioxidant activities. The study showed that BP extracts demonstrated significant
antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella
pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interestingly, non-fermented banana peel
extracts exhibited higher antibacterial effectiveness compared to fermented samples. These
results suggest that banana peels hold strong potential as a natural antibacterial agent,
supporting their possible application in products like cleaning pastes, where plant-based
antimicrobial activity is valuable.
Research on mangrove fruits highlights their potential for both food and non-food
product development. Sari (2024) conducted a feasibility study in Karawang, West Java,
analyzing the economic viability of processing mangrove fruits into dodol, syrup, jam, candy,
and soap. Using revenue-cost ratio, break-even point, and analytic hierarchy process
analysis, the findings revealed that all products were feasible, with candy and syrup
demonstrating particularly high profitability. Dodol was identified as the most prioritized
product for development, if product quality is maintained. This study emphasizes the
versatility of mangrove fruits, including Sonneratia alba, as resources that can be applied
beyond food production. Such findings support the potential of mangrove-based materials to
be explored as natural ingredients in innovative products, including antibacterial cleaning
formulations.
Several studies have explored the medicinal value of mangrove plants, particularly
their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Karim et al. (2020) evaluated methanol
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extracts of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Heritiera littoralis, assessing their antioxidant, anti-
hemolytic, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activities. The results indicated that both mangrove
species contained high levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which contributed to
their radical scavenging activity and ability to inhibit hydrogen peroxide–induced hemolysis in
human red blood cells. Additionally, the extracts displayed antibacterial effects against
multiple Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. These findings reinforce the
potential of mangrove plants, including Sonneratia alba, as natural sources of antibacterial
agents that could be applied in functional products such as cleaning pastes.
Banana peels have been identified as rich sources of polyphenols with notable
antimicrobial potential. Chaudhry et al. (2022) conducted a study to evaluate different
extraction methods for polyphenols from banana peels, employing both sonication and
maceration techniques with solvents such as methanol, ethanol, and acetone at varying
concentrations. The findings revealed that sonication yielded a higher number of
polyphenols compared to maceration, and ethanol proved to be the most efficient solvent.
The extracted polyphenols demonstrated significant antioxidant and radical scavenging
activity, which are strongly linked to antimicrobial effects. This suggests that banana peels,
when processed efficiently, could serve as an effective and sustainable source of natural
antimicrobial agents, further supporting their potential application in formulations such as
antibacterial cleaning pastes.
Banana peels have been shown to contain bioactive compounds with antibacterial and
antioxidant potential. Rita et al. (2020) evaluated methanol extracts from seven varieties of
local banana peels cultivated in Bali. Using maceration extraction methods, the study
assessed antibacterial activity through agar well diffusion and antioxidant capacity via DPPH
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radical reduction. The results demonstrated that banana peel extracts inhibited
Staphylococcus aureus with zones of inhibition ranging from 11.00 to 14.77 mm, and
Escherichia coli with zones from 9.00 to 13.37 mm at a 20% concentration. Furthermore,
antioxidant capacity values ranged from 2523.71 to 3601.11 mg GAEAC/kg extract. The
study concluded that antibacterial and antioxidant activities were positively correlated with
total flavonoid and phenolic contents, indicating that banana peels possess significant
potential as sources of natural antimicrobial agents. These findings reinforce the suitability of
banana peel extracts for incorporation into antibacterial cleaning formulations.
Banana peels have also been highlighted in reviews as promising sources of natural
antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. Hikal, Said-Al Ahl, and Kacaniova (2021) reviewed
literature on the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of banana peels and emphasized
their potential for pharmaceutical, food, and non-food applications. The review noted that
banana peel by-products, which are often discarded as agricultural waste, contain bioactive
compounds that can be utilized to reduce environmental waste while contributing to health-
related products. The authors also identified banana peel extracts as candidates for
pharmaceutical uses, particularly in treating diseases associated with oxidative stress and
microbial infections. This reinforces the idea that banana peels are sustainable raw materials
for functional products, including natural cleaning pastes with antibacterial properties.
Therefore, this study aims to contribute to the existing body of literature by exploring the
antibacterial potential of banana peels and mangrove fruits such as Sonneratia alba as
sustainable natural ingredients, addressing their applicability and effectiveness in developing
eco-friendly cleaning pastes.
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Republic of the Philippines
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Region I
Schools Division Office
BONUAN BUQUIG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Statement of the Problem
Antibacterial cleaning products are widely used to maintain hygiene and prevent the
spread of harmful bacteria, yet many commercial cleaners rely on synthetic chemicals that
may not be environmentally sustainable. The increasing demand for eco-friendly cleaning
solutions highlights the need for alternatives that are both effective and safe. Locally
available materials such as Mangrove Apple (Sonneratia alba) and Banana Peel (Saba)
possess bioactive compounds with known antibacterial properties, but their practical
application as cleaning agents has not been thoroughly investigated. If no effective natural
alternatives are developed, households and institutions may continue to depend on products
that can cause environmental harm, contribute to chemical exposure, and increase waste.
The lack of research on the formulation and real-world efficacy of plant-based cleaning
pastes represents
a gap in current knowledge, especially regarding their ability to compete with commercial
products.
Research Questions
This investigation intends to address these gaps by quantitatively evaluating the
antibacterial effectiveness of a cleaning paste derived from Mangrove Apple and Banana
Peel. The research seeks to answer the following question:
1. What materials and methods are utilized in preparing and testing the anti-bacterial
cleaning paste derived from Mangrove Apple and Banana Peel?
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2. How effectively does the mangrove apple (Sonneratia Alba) and saba banana peel
cleaning paste reduce bacterial growth compared to standard commercial
antibacterial cleaning products?
3. What degree of bacterial removal is achieved by the formulated paste when used
on commonly contaminated surfaces?
4. What are the identifiable advantages and possible uses of the Mangrove Apple
and Banana Peel cleaning paste as an antibacterial agent?
Hypotheses of the Study
The researchers tested the following non-directional hypothesis:
1. There is a difference in the materials and methods used in preparing and testing the
antibacterial cleaning paste derived from Mangrove Apple and Banana Peel.
2. There is a difference in the effectiveness of the Mangrove Apple and Saba banana peel
cleaning paste and standard commercial antibacterial cleaning products in reducing bacterial
growth.
3. There is a difference in the degree of bacterial removal achieved by the formulated paste
when applied to commonly contaminated surfaces.
4. There is a difference in the identifiable advantages and possible uses of the Mangrove
Apple and Banana Peel cleaning paste as an antibacterial agent.
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Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it explores the potential of using natural, biodegradable, and
locally available materials—specifically mangrove apples and saba banana peels—as
ingredients in creating an antibacterial cleaning paste. The results of this research may
contribute to the development of environmentally friendly cleaning products that are both
safe for human use and effective in reducing microbial contamination. It also promotes waste
reduction by utilizing banana peels, which are commonly discarded as kitchen waste, and
highlights the medicinal potential of mangrove species, which are often overlooked in
mainstream product development. Moreover, this research may benefit households,
communities, and small businesses by offering a low-cost, sustainable alternative to
chemical cleaners. It may also encourage further scientific studies into natural antibacterial
agents and support environmental conservation efforts by promoting the responsible use of
natural resources.
Scope and Delimitation
This study aims to identify “The Potential of Mangroves Apples (Sonneratia Alba) and
Banana Peel (Saba) as Anti-Bacterial Cleaning Paste”. And how effective its anti- bacterial
property. This study targets local consumers from Dagupan City. This study focuses only on
the effectiveness of Mangroves Apples (Sonneratia Alba) and Banana Peel (Saba) as an
alternative Natural Cleaning paste. Such as its anti-bacterial properties.
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Republic of the Philippines
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Region I
Schools Division Office
BONUAN BUQUIG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Furthermore, this study is conducted within a special geographic location on Bonuan
Boquig National High School and a time frame of August 2025, thus limiting it broadness to
other regions and educational system. It does not analyze long term effects of the product.
Definition and Terms
Conceptual:
Mangrove Apple (Sonneratia Alba) - The fruit from the Sonneratia alba tree,
considered a natural and renewable resource with potential antibacterial properties.
Banana Peel (Saba) – The outer covering of the saba banana fruit (Musa acuminata x
M. balbisiana), an agricultural byproduct often discarded as waste.
Anti-Bacterial Property - The inherent ability of a substance to inhibit or kill bacteria.
Cleaning Paste - A product designed to remove dirt and bacteria from surfaces using natural
ingredients.
Potential - Denotes the possibility that a natural substance can serve as an effective
antibacterial agent in cleaning applications.
Operational:
Mangrove Apple (Sonneratia Alba) - Refers to the fruit collected from Sonneratia alba trees,
processed to obtain methanol extracts used in antibacterial testing of the cleaning paste.
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Banana Peel (Saba) - The outer peel of Saba bananas, harvested and processed via
solvent extraction to isolate bioactive compounds for incorporation into the cleaning paste.
Anti-Bacterial Property - The quantified zone of inhibition measured in millimeters during disc
diffusion assays using the cleaning paste extracts against bacterial strains.
Cleaning Paste - The semi-solid formulation prepared by mixing mangrove apple and
banana peel extracts with binding agents, applied in antibacterial effectiveness tests.
Potential - The measurable antibacterial efficacy expressed as minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) or bacterial reduction percentage achieved by the cleaning paste during
lab experiments.
Conceptual Framework
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
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Fig. 1 Conceptual Framework of this Study
The conceptual framework illustrates the inputs, processes, and expected outputs of the
study. The inputs include the raw materials: Mangrove Apple (Sonneratia alba) fruits and
Saba Banana peels, alongside solvents, binding agents, and bacterial strains for testing. The
process involves extracting bioactive compounds, formulating the antibacterial cleaning
paste, and testing its antibacterial effectiveness in the laboratory under controlled
experimental design, including comparisons with commercial cleaning products. The output
of the study is an eco-friendly, effective antibacterial cleaning paste with quantified bacterial
reduction and recommendations for natural cleaning applications.
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