VIABILITY OF LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus) EXTRACT AS HAND SANITIZER

A Research Paper
Presented to the
Department of Science
(Special Science Curriculum)
1st and 2nd Shifts



In Partial Fulfillment of
the Requirements for Research II



Submitted to:

Mrs. Annallee Aron



Submitted by:

Xenia Gay Calunod
Charisse Ann Cartin
Ma. Rayna Layno

IV- Einstein


Iligan City



March 2008









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TABLEOF CONTENTS
Page


Title Page……………………………………………………….. i
Approval Sheet………………………………………………….. ii
Abstract………………………………………………………….. iii
Acknowledgement……………………………………................. iv
Table of Contents……………………………………………….. v
Chapter I Introduction 1
Background of the Study………………………………... 2
Statement of the Problem……………………………….. 2
Significance of the Study………………………………..3
Scope and Delimitation…………………………………. 3
Chapter II Review of Related Literature and Study
Review of Related Literature …………………………4
Review of Related Study………………………………. 5
Conceptual Framework………………………………… 6
Null Hypothesis………………………………………… 6
Definition of Terms……………………………………. 7
Chapter III Methodology
Materials………………………………………............. 9
Procedure……………………………………………… 9
v
Instrument Used……………………………………….
Data Gathering Procedure……………………………..
Statistical Test Used…………………………………...
Chapter IV Results and Discussion……………………………
Chapter V Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation……..
Summary……………………………………………….
Conclusion……………………………………………..
Recommendation………………………………………
Bibliography…………………………………………………...
Appendix……………………………………………………….



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers would like to extend their sincere praises and heartfelt gratitude to the Lord Almighty who was always there beside us, guiding, protecting, and giving us hope and strength so that we could pursue and fulfill this research study and be a successful one.
A million thanks to our parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ponciano Calunod, Mr. and Mrs. Eduardo Cartin and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Layno for their undying financial, moral, and spiritual support which brought the study to success. To all our friends and classmates who never deprived us their cooperation and help.
A million thanks also to our beloved teachers who never failed to give their critics and wonderful ideas which enabled us to give more life to this study. To Ms. Helen Pagaling, for letting us borrow the equipments that we needed in conducting the study. To Mrs. Annallee Aron, our very own research adviser who shared to us her knowledge and provided us some of the equipments that was used in conducting the study. And to all the teachers and staff of the Science Department for their contribution that made the study possible.
- xEnkHz, rAynE, tSaRiZ -



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ABSTRACT
The study entitled, “Viability of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Extract as Hand Sanitizer” was designed to test the capability of lemongrass extract (Cymbopogon citratus) extract as the main component.
The lemongrass leaves were collected at Tambo, Hinaplanon, Iligan City and was cut into small pieces about a centimeter long. It was then air dried for two days and was brought to MSU-IIT for the extraction process. Two milliliter of the lemongrass extract was then added with one milliliter aroma oil for the enhancement of it’s odor and then added with eleven milliliter of Glycerin. Litmus paper was then used to determine whether it is an acid or a base. Two sixteen- centimeter long filter paper was set-up for the effusibility test. The time was made constant although it has five-minute interval in every trial. For the odor it was tested through the use of 30 respondents. Each was asked to rate the odor of the two set-ups either pleasant or unpleasant.
Based on the results and findings, the lemongrass extract was found ineffective as a main component in hand sanitizer. Therefore the researchers believed that the lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) extract does not possess the qualities of a good hand sanitizer. Moreover, based on the odor and acidity test, it shows that there is a significant difference between the experimental and the commercial hand sanitizer which is the “Eskulin”. On the other hand, it is comparable to “Eskulin” in terms of its effusibility on filter paper.
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CHAPTER I
Introduction
Health is one of the important aspects in life that should be taken care of. Good health is not attained when certain viruses attack the body’s immune system causing it to
be weak and the body to respond to stimuli slower than before.
Disease-causing germs find its way inside the body through air, water and even hand contact everyday, the hand touches different things not knowing that germs are everywhere. Good if the body attacked has a strong immune system that can resist the presence of too much germs in the body. One good way of preventing such things to happen is to wash hands with soap and water. But such prevention is not applicable at all places at all times especially when traveling or at schools, water may be abundant but the problem is the soap. Using different soaps like laundry soaps can cause dryness to the skin.
Hand sanitizers are a good alternative of soap and water which can be used anywhere at anytime but regarding of its price, consumers would prefer to have alcohol not knowing that it can lead to dryness of the skin.

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Background of the Study
Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemon grass as well as oil grass and is commonly used as flavoring. It is also used as a weed barrier and in other countries it is commonly used as tea.
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia which is often sold in stem form. Its leaves are used to make tea which can relieve stomach and gut problems. It can also act as an antidepressant and as a mood enhancer. Lemongrass has been used for centuries as the source of aromatic oil that is used in perfumery, flavorings and herbal medicine. Its leaves have sharp edges and can inflict razor cuts on the skin.
Hand sanitizer also known as alcohol rub is used as a supplement or alternative to hand washing with soap and water. The active ingredient in a hand sanitizer are isopropanol, ethanol, or (in Europe ) n-propanol. A variety of preparations are available, including gels, foam and liquid solutions. Hand sanitizers containing alcohol are more effective at killing germs than soaps and do not dry out hands as much as soaps.

Statement of the Problem
This study aims to answer the following questions:
Is there any significant difference between the commercial one and the lemongrass extract in terms of its pH or acidity?
Is there any significant difference between the commercial one and the lemongrass extract in terms of its odor?
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Is there any significant difference between the commercial one and the lemongrass extract in terms of its ability to effuse on the filter paper?
Significance of the Study
People nowadays rely much on the use of hand sanitizer as an alternative of soap and water in killing disease-causing germs on hands. Due to the fact that hand sanitizers can be used anywhere at anytime, the consumer demand of this product is getting higher. Germs are everywhere, most of it can be acquired through everyday hand contact. Too much germs in the body can destroy the body’s immune system making it vulnerable to different kinds of diseases.
Based on observations, people would prefer using alcohol with regards of its price, not knowing that this can lead to dryness of the skin resulting to more serious complications. On the other hand, hand sanitizers are affordable and guaranteed to smoothen and have moisturizing effect on the skin aside from killing disease-causing germs.
This study is conducted to test the viability of the lemongrass extract as a possible source of hand sanitizer.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This study was conducted at the ESEP building, and only the extraction process was done at MSU-IIT, Chemistry Laboratory in the school year 2007-2008.
This study was limited only in testing the viability of lemongrass extract if it could be a possible source of hand sanitizer.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Review of Related Literature
Cymbopogon citratus is a genus of about 55 species of grasses, native to warm, temperate and tropical regions of the Old World and the Oceania . It is a tall, perennial grass. Common names include lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, citronella grass, fever grass or Hierba Luisa amongst many others.
Lemongrass is widely used as an herb in Asian countries particularly Vietnam , Thailand , Laos , Malaysia , Indonesia , Sri Lanka and even in the Philippines . It has a citrus flavour and can be dried, powdered or used fresh. The main constituent of lemongrass oil is citral, which makes up around 80% of the total. Lemongrass is widely used in teas, soaps and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish and seafood. It is often used as a tea in African and Latino American countries. Lemongrass in some cases has been used as mild depressant for the central nervous system. It is also sometimes used as a weed barrier (Grolier’s Encyclopedia, pp58-61. ).
Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of cymbopogon one of which is Cymbopogon citratus or lemongrass. The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol and geraniol. These chemicals find extensive use in soap, perfumery, cosmetic and flavoring industries throughout the world ( Compton ’s encyclopedia, Vol. 13, pp.22-23).

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Hand sanitizer must possess the following qualities; kills germs on palm without irritating the skin, but kills only the bad bacteria excluding the good ones. Also it keeps the skin moisturized, and has a fragrant odor (http://www.floridata.com).

Review of Related Studies
A study by Rosalinda C. Torres and Arlene G. Ragadio was conducted to know the chemical composition of the essential oil of Cymbopogon Citratus or Lemongrass. The essential oil from Cymbopogon Citratus which was collected in Nagcarlan , Laguna was obtained from the air-dried leaves by hydrodistillation for two hours and dried using anhydrous sodium sulfate. The oil obtained was then subjected to gas chromatographic analysis. Analysis was done by programming the oven temperature from 70 C- 180 C at 4 C/min for 15 minutes. Citral was identified as the main component with 69.39% concentration(http://www.stii.dost.gov.ph)
Another study was also conducted using Cymbopogon Citratus staff as food flavor. Four concentrated extracts from Lemon Grass were obtained by solvent extraction using a modified soxhlet apparatus and a rotary vacuum evaporator. The solvents used for extraction were acetone, dichloromethane, ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. The aroma intensities of the different extracts at varying level of concentration were significantly different, P< - 40.05. The citral content of the different extracts as determined by the calorimetric method ranged from 22.5 to 42.6 mg/100 mL extract. The correlation coefficients between aroma intensity and citral concentration of the extract were highly significant. The sauce flavored with the Lemon Grass extract was fairly acceptable (http://www.tropilab.com).
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Conceptual framework

Dependent Variable


Lemongrass extract
Control

Odor

pH (acidity)

effusibilty on filter paper


Brand X
Experimental


Null Hypothesis

There is no significant difference between the pH or acidity of the control variable and the experimental.
There is no significant difference between the odor of the control variable and the experimental.
There is no significant difference between the effusibility of the control variable and the experimental.


Alternative Hypothesis
There is significant difference between the pH or acidity of the control variable and the experimental.
There is significant difference between the odor of the control variable and the experimental.
There is significant difference between the effusibility of the control variable and the experimental.

Definition of Terms
1. aroma oil - are blended synthetic aroma compounds or natural essential oils that are diluted with a carrier like propylene glycol, vegetable oil, or mineral oil. Aromatic oils are used in perfumery, cosmetics, flavoring of food, and in aromatherapy.
2. Effusibility – the rate of dispersion on the filter paper.
3. Extraction – the recovery of the liquid from the Lemongrass.
4. Filter Paper – a porous substance, such as blotting paper through which a mixture can be passed to separate out its solid constituents.
5. Glycerin – a thick, colorless, odorless, sweetish liquid. It is obtained from vegetable and animal oils and fats or by fermentation of glucose and has a smoothing effect.
6. Hand sanitizer - used as a supplement or alternative to hand washing with soap and water.
7.Litmus paper – used in chemistry as an indicator to test the acidic or alkaline nature of aqueous solution; it turns red in the presence of Acid and blue in the presence of alkali.
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8. pH - is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
9. T-table – a list of different values for the degree of freedom and level of significance.
10. Viability – capability of lemongrass to serve as the main component of a hand sanitizer.

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter contains the methods and procedures in conducting the study.
Materials used:
2 (10 cc) Graduated cylinders
2 Test Tubes
1 Beaker
1 Stirring rod
1 Test tube rack
Filter paper
1 cc Aroma oil
11 cc Glycerin
Medicine dropper
Litmus paper
Ruler
Scissors
Procedure:

A.) Gathering of Materials
The lemongrass leaves were gathered at Purok 6 Tambo, Hinaplanon, Iligan City . The graduated cylinders, test tubes, beaker, stirring rod, and test tube rack were borrowed from Ms. Helen Pagaling. The filter paper, litmus paper, and the medicine dropper were bought by the researchers from Berovan Marketing, Inc.
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B.) Air drying of Lemongrass leaves
After gathering the leaves, it was cut into small pieces about a centimeter long and was then air dried for two days.
C.) Extraction of the air dried leaves
The air dried leaves were brought to MSU-IIT at CSM building for the extraction process. The extraction yields 30 cc of lemongrass extract.
D.) Concoction of the ingredients
2 cc of the lemongrass extract was poured in the beaker, was added with 11 cc of glycerin and 1 cc of aroma oil through the use of the medicine dropper.
E.) Storing the mixture
The mixture was then poured in a container.
F.) Odor Test
To test the odor of the product, the researchers asked 30 respondents to rate whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, by wafting the set-up. The number of rates was recorded in a tabular form, and the data gathered was used to compute the values needed in the decision - making. Based on the number of respondents who rated Eskulin and the experimental, the row and column total was computed by adding the number of rates of both the two set-ups in which the resulting values was then used in getting the expected frequency.

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G.) Effusibility Test
In testing the effusibility rate the researchers cut 6 strips of filter paper for the three trials. The time was made constant with an interval of 5 mins. every trial . The area covered of
the two set-ups was measured in every trial. Two drops of the experimental and the Eskulin was put at the bottom end of the filter paper.
H.) Acidity Test
The researchers used two strips of litmus paper (blue, red) as indicators whether it was an acid or a base. Two drops of experimental extract was dropped to the litmus papers, blue litmus turns to red while red litmus paper shows no change.

Instrument used:
Questionnaire - used for the odor test.
Litmus paper – used in determining if the substance is an acid or alkali.
Filter paper – used to determine the effusibility of the two set-ups.
Statistical test used :
Chi- Square tesr

CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
This chapter contains the results and discussions based on the findings from the experiment conducted.
Table 1: Odor
Pleasant Unpleasant Column Total
Experimental 13 17 30
Brand X 26 4 30
Row total 39 21 60


Table 1 shows the number of respondents who rated the odor of the experimental and Eskulin hand sanitizer. Each of the respondents was asked to rate the odor of both set-ups whether it is pleasant or unpleasant.
With a total number of 30 respondents, only 13 rated the experimental set-up pleasant while 26 of the respondents rated Eskulin as pleasant. Based on the number of respondents who rated Eskulin and the experimental, the row and column total was computed by adding the number of rates of both the two set-ups in which the resulting values was then used in getting the expected frequency.

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Table 2: Frequency Table
Observed frequency Expected frequency (O-E)2/ E
Experimental
Pleasant 13 19.5 2.162
Unpleasant 17 10.5 4.024
Eskulin(commercial
hand sanitizer)
Pleasant 26 19.5 2.162
Unpleasant 4 10.5 4.024
∑ = (O-E)2/ E


Table 2 shows the values of the expected and observed frequency. The values under the observed frequency was obtained from the rates of the respondents while the expected frequency was obtained by using the formula, E = (row total)(column total) / grand total. The resulting values was then subtracted from the observed frequency. The difference was then added to obtain the computed value which will serve as the basis on whether to accept or reject the null hypothesis which states that there is no significant difference between the odor of the experimental and Eskulin.


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Table 3: Chi-Square Test
Level of
Significance df Computed
Value Critical
Value Decision
0.05 1 12.382 6.314 Reject Ho


Table 3 shows the basis whether to accept or reject the Ho. The degree of freedom was obtained by using the formula:
df = ( column – 1 )(row – 1 ) which gives the value, 1.The critical value was obtained from the t-table, the computed value which is 12.382 is out of range of the critical value which is only 6.314. Therefore the Ho is rejected. There is a significant difference between the odor of Eskulin and the Experimental.

Table 4: Effusibility
1st Trial (5 min.) 2nd Trial ( 10 min.) 3rd Trial ( 15 min.)
Experimental 5 cm 7.8 cm 9.2 cm
Brand X 3.2 cm 3.5 cm 4.7 cm


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(discussions from Table 4: Effusibility)
Table 4 above shows the effusibility rate between the experimental and the Eskulin. The time was made constant with an interval of 5 mins. every trial. Its effusibility was tested through the use of a filter paper strip. Each strip is 16 cm. long. Two drops of the experimental was put at the bottom end of the filter paper as well as the Eskulin. By the moment it was dropped the time was also set. On the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trial, the experimental shows a faster rate of effusibilty compared to Eskulin. Therefore, the Ho is accepted. There is no significant difference between the effusibilty of the experimental and Eskulin on the filter paper.
Table 5: Acidity Test
Litmus Paper color Experimental Eskulin
Red no change no change
Blue red no change


Table 5 shows the results of the acidity test of the experimental and Eskulin using the Litmus Paper.
When acids react with certain compounds, these compounds change in color. Substances that change in color in the presence of acids are called indicators. One of the most common indicators for acids is litmus. Blue litmus turns red in the presence of an acid (Sackheim and Lehman, “ Chemistry for the Health Sciences ” p.195).
The experimental turn the blue litmus paper to red, therefore it is an acid.

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CHAPTER V
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
This chapter contains the summary and conclusion of the study based on the analysis of the results.
Summary
The study entitled, “ Viability of Lemongrass extract ( Cymbopogon Citratus ) as Hand Sanitizer “ was designed to test the capability of the lemongrass extract as the main component in a hand sanitizer. The lemongrass leaves were collected at Purok 6 Tambo, Hinaplanon, Iligan City . The lemongrass leaves were cut into small pieces about a centimeter long and was then air dried for 2 days. The air dried leaves were then brought to MSU-IIT for the extraction process. Two mililiter of the lemongrass extract was then added with 11 cc of Glycerin and 1 cc of aroma oil using the medicine dropper.
The odor was tested through the use of 30 respondents. Each was asked to rate the odor either pleasant or unpleasant. Majority of the respondents rated the experimental unpleasant. The data gathered was then computed using the Chi-square test as the basis whether to reject or accept the null hypothesis.
The effusibility of the two set-ups was tested through the use of filter paper. The area covered was measured in centimeters using a ruler, while the time was constant in every trial, although it has 5 min. interval every trial.
The acidity of both set-ups was tested using the litmus paper as an indicator. The Eskulin hand sanitizer is neutral in the sense that it shows no changes in the color of the litmus paper while the experimental is an acid. It changes the blue litmus paper to red, an indication of an acidic substance( Funk & Wagnalls, p. 293 ).
Conclusion
The lemongrass extract was found ineffective as a main component in hand sanitizer. Therefore, the researchers believed that the lemongrass ( Cymbopogon Citratus) extract does not possess the qualities of a good hand sanitizer. Moreover, based on the odor and acidity test, it shows that there is a significant difference between the experimental and the commercial hand sanitizer which is the Eskulin. On the other hand, it is comparable to Eskulin in terms of its effusibility on filter paper.
Recommendation
The researchers would like to recommend varied experimentations for the ratio of the formulation. Also, the extract should undergo antibacterial test to prove that it can prevent bacterial growth. The use of pH meter is highly recommended for more accurate pH value.


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FOR EFFUSIBILITY RATE
1st Trial (5 mins.) 2nd Trial (10 mins.) 3rd Trial ( 15 mins.) Average
Experimental 5 cm 7.8 cm 9.2 cm 4 cm
Eskulin 3.2 cm 3.5 cm 4.7 cm 3.8 cm
Average 4.1 cm 5.65 cm 6.95 cm


Computations:
X’1 = 4.1 / 4 = 1.025 x- x1 = 3.075
X’2= 5.65 / 4 = 1.413 x-x2 = 4.237
X’3= 6.95 / 4 = 1.738 x-x3 = 5.212
X’4= 4.1 / 3.8 = 1.079 ∑ x-xn = 12.524
X’5= 5.65 / 3.8 = 1.487 x- x’1 = 3.021
X’6= 6.95 / 3.8 = 1.829 x- x’2 = 4.163
x- x’3 = 5.121
∑ x-xn‘ = 12.305

X= ∑ x / n = 8.571

S12 = (12.524)2 / 3 S22 = (12.305)2 / 2.8
_____
= √ 52.28 = √ 54.08


= 7.23 = 7.35

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t = x1 – x2 / √ (S12 / n1 ) + ( S22 / n2 )
= 4-3.8 / (7.23 2 / 4) +( 7.352 / 3.8)
= 0.2 / (13.07 + 14.22)
= 0.2 / 27.29
t= 0.00733
Table 6
Statistical Test Used Level of
Significance df Critical Value t-value Decision
t-test 0.05 7 2.3646 0.00733 Accept Ho

Ø 0.00733 is the t-value, while the critical value is 2.3646.
Ø To get the degree of freedom, N which is the number of observations in all samples being compared is obtained by adding n which is the number of observations in sample. So,
Ø N = n1 + n2 = 8
Ø Then by using the formula df = N – 1 , we obtained the degree of freedom which is 7. The level of significance is 0.05.

Ø The t-value is within the critical value, so the null hypothesis is accepted. There is no significant difference on the effusibility rate of the experimental and the Eskulin.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY


Compton’s Encyclopedia, Vol. 13, pp.22-23
Grolier’s Encyclopedia, pp.58-61
Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, p. 293
Chemistry for the Health Sciences , p.195
Haecksher’s Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p.467
http://www. Wikipedia.org
http://www. Floridata.com
http://www. stii.dost.gov.ph
http://www. tropilab.com