The Effect of Euphorbia Hirta L. to Animal Intestinal Parasites

Researchers:

Mercader, Arlene L.

Mescallado, Kim Leianne M.

Montebon, Mariel S.

Sagana, Patricia Anne B.

Boquiren, Richard M.

Research Adviser:

Mrs. Ma. Regaele A. Olarte

Abstract

           Euphorbia Hirta L. or so-called Tawa tawa is a plant abundantly growing in almost all parts of the Philippines and is usually taken for granted due to its undiscovered scientific and medicinal importance. Recently, it was said that it is used in some parts of our country to increase the platelet count of dengue patients. Further studies were conducted to prove its effectiveness.

This research used Euphorbia Hirta L. but it was aimed at the decoction and utilization of the said plant as an animal purgative. Fifty milligrams of Euphorbia Hirta L. samples were gathered and the removal of unnecessary parts was done. Three different amounts of stem pieces which were about 1 cm. long were subjected to heat together with the 20 ml. of distilled water. The decocted products were cooled. Fifteen mice were used to test the decocted products and a commercialized purgative and were kept under observation for 12 hours in fifteen different shoe boxes.

The results were gathered by studying the feces of each mouse obtained from the shoe boxes after the said time. Unpaired t test was used for the statistical analysis. The results showed that there was a direct relationship between the amount of Euphorbia Hirta L. and the number of intestinal parasites purged and the effectiveness of each concentration depends on the amount of Euphorbia Hirta L.

Based on the findings obtained, the researchers concluded that Euphorbia Hirta L. is an effective animal purgative. The researchers recommended further experiments to strengthen this study and to discover the other medicinal uses and contributions of this plant.

The Production of Aromatic Candles Using Waste Plastics as Substitute for Micro Wax

Researchers:

Antonio, Jude Trixie D.

Ebro, Edel Ain T.

Villanueva, Mary Grace A.

 Research Adviser:

Mrs. Ma. Regaele A. Olarte

Abstract

            A necessity for cheaper and long-lasting candle motivated the researchers to think about using Polystyrene and LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) plastics as substitutes for micro wax. The researchers used cheaper ingredients that could make a candle last longer than the normal commercially-released ones. The researchers constructed three different kinds of set-ups; set-up A with polystyrene plastics added up with orange extract for the scent, set-up B with LDPE plastics added up with the orange extract and lastly, set-up C, the controlled set-up with the micro wax added up with the orange extract too. There were significant differences between the experimental and controlled set-ups. Using plastics like these polystyrene and LDPE was better as to compare with the candles that were commercially released with micro wax. The second set-up (set-up B) was found to be the best alternative for candles for it was made of the LDPE plastics. Second was the first set-up (set-up A), because it was made of Polystyrene plastics. Last of all was the set-up C or the controlled set-up which was bought by the researchers and which was found out the worst among the three for it was the most expensive and had the shortest ability to last longer. The study proved that using different kinds of plastics, like what was used by the researchers was better than that of what was usual. The study showed not how useless but how useful and helpful plastics can be with the economy of the world.

The Effect of Clindamycin as an Effective Ingredient in Making Facial Soap

 Researcher: Aisa D. Lamdag

Research Adviser: Mrs. Ma. Regaele A. Olarte

ABSTRACT

Soap is something that should be in every personal emergency kit, but it’s one item that is often overlooked, one reason why the researcher chose this topic.  Nowadays, keeping things clean might be a lower priority for you during emergency but it’s something you really need to think about.  Soaps would not just clean your skin thus it would also make you feel comfortable.

The researcher made a simple and cheap homemade facial soap through the melt and pour soap process.  She used a microwave oven to melt the soap scraps.  The concentration of Clindamycin was then added to the liquid soap, stirred and poured to the soap molder, the same procedures were repeated for the different concentrations. The products were tested in terms of its pH level in washing the face and its hardness. 

As a result of completing the procedures, the researcher observed that the lowest concentration of Clindamycin has the hardest among the soaps produced.  It is also the lowest concentration that has a pH level which is good for the skin since a good facial soap ranges the pH level of 7.4-8.6 pH.

After the experiment and the laboratory testing, the researcher recommends to those who would do the same experiment to further investigate the physical and chemical properties of the soap.

The Effect of Varying Amount of Hydroponic Solutions to the Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Plant in a Controlled Hydroponics System

Researchers:

Christian C. Chua

Research Adviser:

Mrs. Ma. Regaele A. Olarte

Conceptual Framework

The Experimentation and Set-ups of a Controlled Hydroponics System Using Different Amounts of Hydroponic Solution and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Plant

  

Discussion

The hydroponics system designed by the researcher was adopted from the design of the Institute of Plant Breeding CSC-CA, University of the Philippines Los Baños. The cycle of the system is very easy to understand because the plants will be using the nutrients of the solution until they reach their full growth. The system is a labor free and self maintaining system because one can leave the system without monitoring it.

A summary of four set-ups is seen on the results. The tables, graphs and statistical analyses were presented to show if there was a significant difference in the growth of Lactuca Sativa (Lettuce) plant in the experimental and controlled hydroponics set-up. This was measured in terms of height of the plants in centimeters. The first set-up which was the controlled set-up showed how the plant normally grows when planted traditionally (planted on the soil) while the other three set-up showed the use of the controlled hydroponics solution with different amounts of solutions.

As what was expected by the researcher, the plants normally grew on the controlled set-up. Set-up A with 12.5 ml of solution didn’t satisfy the needed nutrients of the plants so as a result, the plants died on the 3^rd week of the experiment. The other two set-ups, set-up B and set-up C with 25ml and 50ml of solutions respectively satisfy the needed nutrients of the plants so the plants grew normally just like on the controlled set-up.

The researcher used unpaired, two sample t-test to determine if there was a significant difference between the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) planted on soil and on the controlled hydroponics system in terms of height in centimeters. Since the statistical units underlying the two samples being compared were non-overlapping. Based on the results of the statistical method used by the researcher, the researcher proved that there is no significant difference between using the controlled hydroponics system and the traditional planting method in yielding Lactuca Sativa (Lettuce) plant.

      The results of the experiment showed that 25ml and 50ml amount of solutions are applicable in growing Lactuca Sativa (Lettuce) plant.

Physical and Chemical Attributes of Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei koldzumi) Nutritional Supplement

Researchers:

Sandoval, Rose Ann,

Nuñez, Myla

Villarta, Mary Ruth

Yabut, Theresa

Dimaano, Celina

Research Adviser: Mrs. Ma. Regaele A. Olarte

Various synthetic drugs are available to prevent and cure different kinds of ailments but not everyone can afford the expensive cost of those products. Numerous medicinal plants are obtainable; however, some of them remain unnoticed. Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei koidzumi) started to make itself be known and some households have already grown this promising herbal plant. It has many established pharmacological properties and therapeutic benefits that can compare to sophisticated synthetic medicines and supplements in the market. It is also filled with substantial nutrients that promote fitness and help the body recover from sickness. Our world is in need of economical ways to avoid and treat various kinds of illnesses brought about by the body’s degeneration due to the modern style of living nowadays.  

The researchers concentrated on making an herbal nutritional supplement from Ashitaba leaves in the form of capsules and teas, and testing their physical and chemical attributes. The initial matter of which every health conscious reader should be aware of is that supplements, by their very nature, are above and beyond what people could get from a natural food diet; otherwise the natural food method is by far the best. Most people are taking supplements to have a pharmacological effect in their body whenever they are feeling something atypical. Others believe that nutritional supplements improve the body’s quality and longevity. These health benefits might be the reasons why people these days prefer resorting to herbal products such as supplements over buying commercial pharmaceutical drugs.

B. Statement of the Problem:

The researchers aimed to test the physical and chemical attributes of Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei koldzumi) nutritional supplement.

Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions:

1.    In which form or structure will the Ashitaba leaves be more effectively used as a nutritional supplement?

2.    Is there a significant difference between the experimental (Ashitaba) and the control (commercial) products in terms of:

a.    Rate of dissolution

b.    Consistency in solvent

c.    Reaction to acid

d.    Reaction to base

B. Hypotheses:

1.         The nutritional supplement from Ashitaba leaves will be more effectively used in gel-capsule form.

2.         Ha: There is a significant difference between the experimental (Ashitaba) and the control (commercial) products in terms of the given parameters.

Ho: There is a significant difference between the experimental (Ashitaba) and the control (commercial) products in terms of the given parameters.

An Improved Small Scale Aquaponics System Design for Fish and Vegetable Cultivation using Recycled Materials

(Congratulations! National Level Finalist -NCR Representative, Biotechnology Fair)

Researchers: 
Mary Anne Picardal, Quinie Granada, Darilyn Regalario, Mary Hime Mendoza, Kirsten Villanueva
Research Adviser: Mrs. Ma. Regaele A. Olarte
 

ABSTRACT

Through the course of the study of biotechnology, the researcher was made aware of the objectives and mechanisms in using organisms for practical purposes, as well as the ethical and moral issues accompanying it. Aquaponics technology can be a solution to the crises of our country especially when it comes to livelihood and agriculture. It can even answer malnutrition problems, as people get awareness that they can harvest food (both fish and crops) just right from their homes without expending much capital. Moreover, the constructed system could add beauty and attraction to wherever it is placed, as it was aesthetically designed to demonstrate the biological processes in the system. To test the effectiveness of the system design, the researcher sought to investigate the growth of Gotu Kola, a known herbal plant, on an improved aquaponics system of their own version, and compare it to the traditional planting using soil as the medium. Locally available and recycled materials were used in constructing the system in support for sustainable development. The study tested if there is a significant difference between the growth of the plants on the traditional planting with soil (control set-up) and the aquaponics system (experimental set-up) in terms of height of the plants and the number of leaves that sprouted within a period of ten weeks. After the construction of the system and the experimentation on Gotu Kola, the researcher was able to gather the results. The null hypothesis was validated using the unpaired t-test of 0.05 level of significance. Thus, the project was considered to be successful, and further recommendations could be given such as the use of other materials and configurations in designing another version of the system. Any other plants and fish may also be used in the experiment. 

Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Herbal Infusion: a Sensory Analysis

Researchers:

Emilio Tupaz III

Hanah Joy Francisco

Pamela Louise Apacible

Danica Ramos

Iole Templanza

Research Adviser: Mrs. Ma. Regaele A. Olarte

Abstract

The study investigated the sensory attributes and general acceptability of gumamela (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis) herbal infusion. The presence of beneficial nutrients in gumamela petals led the researchers to utilize it as an herbal juice drink. It aimed to test if there is a significant difference between different samples of    gumamela herbal infusion and commercial tea (Lipton_TM), another product of herbal infusion, in terms of color, aroma, taste, and flavor and of flavor and shelf life.  After the processes of sterilizing, infusing, and cooling, the gumamela herbal infusion was served in a random order with codes that tally the score and master sheets. The results were decoded and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance of the test.

Results showed that there was no significant difference in terms of taste, color and aroma which means that gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) herbal infusion is comparable to commercial herbal infusion. The flavor and of-flavor tests yielded to a more positive result, as there was a significant difference stating that in the said characteristics, gumamela herbal infusion was more preferred by the respondents. The analysis demonstrated that aside from having low cost and high medicinal value, gumamela herbal infusion also possesses positive sensory attributes that make it generally acceptable to the public.