CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
Pest insects have been one of humankinds most serious problems since prehistoric times.
As our civilization progresses and technology advances, they also adapts to the rapidly changing
world. Most of them are found not only in farmlands but in residential sectors as well. The most
commonly noted household pest insect is the cockroach. There are over 3,000 different species
of cockroaches some are considered pests while others are beneficial in their environment.
There are about four species of these cockroaches that are well known as pests such as the
German, Australian, Oriental, and American cockroach but among them, the best-known pest
species is the American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana). The most preferred areas of these
cockroaches are those located in the nearest food and water sources but which are warm and
have a high relative humidity, dark, and undisturbed. These pest insects feed on human and pet
food and also leave odorous secretions that can alter the flavor of food. They can passively
transport microbes on their body surfaces including those that are potentially dangerous to
humans such as the disease-causing bacteria, Salmonella which are on their legs and later deposit
them on foods and cause food infections or poisoning. House dust containing cockroach feces
and body parts can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in certain individuals.
Cockroach infestation is a major domestic problem. They just check in, but do not check
out. Many insecticides are available in the market. These insecticides are pesticides that are
formulated to kill, harm, repel or mitigate one or more species of insect. Unfortunately, most of
them are often bombarded with hazardous chemicals. Because of these factors, each insecticide
can pose a different level of risk to non-target organisms such as beneficial insects, people, and
1

animals most probably to the environment. It is accountable for the contamination of terrestrial
and aquatic environments, and many cases of accidental poisoning to human and livestock.
It has already been known that certain plants have properties that ward off or kill insects.
They produce a distinctive odor or chemicals that are repulsive to insects. Since some of these
plants maybe growing in our backyard, they are inexpensive and safer for the environment.
Garlic when chopped or crushed releases the compound allicin, and this is what seems to
make garlic work for certain conditions and also makes garlic smell. It has been used throughout
recorded history for both culinary and medicinal purposes. These plants are not attack by pest
and is also claimed to help prevent heart disease (including atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, and
high blood pressure) and cancer.
Black pepper is a spice commonly used in many areas of the world for flavor. It has its
active component piperine that is slightly irritating to skin and eyes and structurally related to
capsaicin, the chemical responsible for making chili peppers hot. Through its active component
piperine, it modifies supplement and drug metabolism.[1]
The researchers want to conduct the study to find an alternative way in eliminating these
pest insects in an effective, safe, eco-friendly and affordable way wherein consumers can afford
to produce their own home insecticide against cockroach, to reduce the use of chemical
insecticides, and protect the environment from the hazards that these chemical insecticides may
bring. And also to find out if the Garlic extract and Black pepper seed powder can be utilized as
an organic insecticide against American cockroach.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Primarily, the study aims to investigate the insecticidal activity of Garlic (Allium Sativum)
extract and Black pepper (Piper Nigrum) seed powder on American cockroaches (Periplaneta
Americana) and to make a product out of it that will decrease the population of these destructive
insects in every residential sector.
Specifically, this study aims:
a) To determine the feasibility of Garlic (Allium Sativum) extract and Black pepper (Piper
Nigrum) seed powder as insecticide against American cockroaches (Periplaneta
Americana).
b) To determine the effectiveness of Garlic (Allium Sativum) extract and Black pepper
(Piper Nigrum) seed powder on the death rate of the American cockroaches (Periplaneta
Americana) using the different treatments.
c) To determine as to what treatment of Garlic extract and Black Pepper seed powder which
are 100 % garlic extract, 75 % garlic extract and 25 % black pepper seed powder, 50%
garlic extract and 50 % black pepper seed powder, 25% garlic extract and 75 % black
pepper seed powder, and 100 % black pepper seed powder is effective insecticide against
American cockroaches.
NULL HYPOTHESIS
Ho: There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of Garlic (Allium Sativum)
extract and Black pepper (Piper Nigrum) seed powder on the death rate of the American
cockroaches (Periplaneta Americana) using the different treatments.

SCOPE, LIMITATION, AND DELIMITATION

The study will focus on the effectiveness of the garlic extract and black pepper seed
powder after the application of it at different treatments. The subject will be the American
cockroaches (Periplaneta Americana). These pest insects most preferred areas that are located in
the nearest food and water sources but which are warm and have a high relative humidity. Most
of them are found in the dirtiest and darkest corner of houses. If their populations are high, there
will be a strong concentration odorous secretion. Cockroaches bring disease-causing
bacteria, such as Salmonella. They can cause food infections or poisoning and can trigger
allergic reactions and asthma in certain individuals.
The study will be conducted at Abonales Residence in Poblacion, Ilaod, Ragay,
Camarines Sur.
The researchers will prepare 1 kg. of garlic, 50 g. of black pepper seed, 2 small containers
to separate the garlic extract from the powdered black pepper seed , 75 American cockroaches,
15 big containers for the collection of the pest insect, mortar and pestle for pounding the garlic
and black pepper seed, cheese cloth and funnel for filtering the garlic extract, graduated cylinder
for the measurement of the garlic extract and pulverized black pepper, 10 ml of distilled water to
obtain the desired concentrations, 4 plastic spray bottles, and lastly the surgical gloves and face
mask for safety in handling the pest insect. The temperature, moisture, and amount of light in an
area may affect the study because American cockroaches prefer those areas which are warm,
have a high relative humidity, and dark.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

The main purpose of this study is to decrease the population of the cockroaches in each
household. And because most of the insecticides contain chemicals, which can be harmful even
to non-target organisms and to our environment, this may be help to introduce an alternative way
on how pests can be controlled that would not cause much harm to living organisms and the
environment.
The result of this study may be of great importance to the following:
FUTURE RESEARCHERS, this study may serve as related studies and for
exploring with other botanical-based insecticides as replacement for chemical-based
insecticides.
HOMEOWNERS, this study will be a big help to households in choosing
alternatives for chemical-based insecticides. Thus, this may serve as an alternative for
synthetic insecticides.
COMMUNITY, will be benefited because people will save more money for they will
not buy expensive products to kill cockroaches.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, will be benefited because this study would
lead them to initiate a campaign to propagate Garlic and Black Pepper for extensive
distribution in both rural and urban areas.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, will be benefited because this study may be used as
a tool for information distribution to households in both urban and rural areas
regarding the importance of these botanical plants as alternative to the commercial
insecticides.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Allicin
5

a compound releases by garlic and is responsible for its smell.

Black Pepper
-

a spice commonly used in many areas of the world for flavor.

Cockroach
-

a pest insect that can be commonly found in every household that brings diseasecausing bacteria.

Feasibility
-

the possibility.

Garlic
-

is a plant that used in culinary and medicinal purposes.

High Relative Humidity

-

high amount of atmosphere moisture.

Insecticide
-

designed to control pest insects.

Piperine
-

active component of black pepper.

NOTES

[1]

Sol

Orwell

and

Kurtis

Frank,

Black

http://examine.com/supplements/Black+Pepper/

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
7

Pepper,

Examine.com,

2011-2015,

Garlic has been used throughout recorded history for both culinary and medicinal
purposes. It has a characteristic pungent, spicy flavor that mellows, sweetens considerably with
cooking, and releases the chemical compound allicin which makes the garlic smell.
Black pepper has its active component piperine. This is slightly irritating to skin and eyes
and is structurally related to capsaicin, the chemical responsible for making chili peppers hot. It
is slightly irritating to skin and eyes. It is also in some forms of traditional medicine and as
an insecticide.
To make an alternative insecticide against American cockroaches, first, prepare the
materials to be used in the experiment, gather Garlic and Black pepper seeds. After the gathering
of Garlic and Black pepper seeds, pound it using mortar and pestle. Moreover, under the different
treatments which are 100 % garlic extract (T1) , 75 % garlic extract and 25 % black pepper seed
powder (T2) , 50% garlic extract and 50 % black pepper seed powder (T 3) , 25% garlic extract
and 75 % black pepper seed powder (T4) , and 100 % of black pepper seed powder (T 5). Get the
extract and powder. Put it in separate small containers. Prepare T 1, T2, T3 , T4 and then put each
treatment in a spray bottle with its respective labels while T 5 will be put in a small jar. As a final
point spray T1, T2, T3, T4 while T5 will be sprinkled to the areas were these cockroaches manifest.
The researchers will observe the effectiveness of Garlic extract and Black pepper seed
powder in different treatments. The independent variables are the Garlic extract and Black
pepper seed powder under different treatments and the result of the test as the dependent
variable.
CONCEPTUAL PARADIGM

INPUT

PROCESS

OUTPUT

Preparation of Materials
Garlic (Allium Sativum)
Black pepper (Piper
nigrum) seeds

Gathering of Garlic and

Black Pepper seeds
Extraction and
pulverization

Distilled water
Putting under different
treatments
Spray T11 ,T22 ,T33 ,T44 while
sprinkle T55 to the areas were
cockroaches manifest.

Figure 1. Conceptual Paradigm

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Decrease the number of

pest-insect, cockroach in
every household

According

to

(Wikipedia,

2015),

Piperine,

along

with

its isomer chavicine,

is

the alkaloid responsible for the pungency of black pepper and long pepper. It has also been used
in some forms of traditional medicine and as an insecticide.[1]
According to (National Pesticide Information Center, 2015), Insecticides are pesticides that
are formulated to kill, harm, repel or mitigate one or more species of insect. Insecticides work in
different ways. They can also be packaged in various forms including sprays, dusts, gels, and
baits.[2]
According to (Frank K. and Orwell S., 2015), Black Pepper is a spice commonly used in many
areas of the world for flavor. Through its active component Piperine, Black Pepper is able to
modify supplement and drug metabolism.[3]
According to (Srikanth R., 2014), Garlic is immensely effective against cockroaches. It is
advisable to sprinkle garlic powder in and around infested areas. Cockroaches hate the smell of
garlic. It is important to replace the powder every month.[4]
According to (Pests Off, 2014), Another cooking ingredient we can use is garlic. Just like bay
leaves, cockroaches cant stand the smell of garlic. You can lay out fresh cloves of garlic, or you
can use garlic powder. You can find the powder for cheap at your local dollar store. Sprinkle the
powder in the same locations as you would with bay leaves. [5]
According to (WebMD, 2009), While garlic is a common flavoring in food, some scientists
have suggested that it might have a role as a food additive to prevent food poisoning. There is
some evidence that fresh garlic, but not aged garlic, can kill certain bacteria such as E. coli,
antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis in the laboratory. Garlic
produces a chemical called allicin. This is what seems to make garlic work for certain conditions.
10

Allicin also makes garlic smell. Some products are made odorless by aging the garlic, but this
process can also make the garlic less effective. Its a good idea to look for supplements that are
coated (enteric coating) so they will dissolve in the intestine and not in the stomach. [6]
According to (Dr.Awais Anwar et.al, 2009), An environmentally benign garlic-derived
polysulfide product is approved for use in the European Union (under Annex 1 of 91/414) and
the UK as a nematicide and insecticide, including for use for control of cabbage root fly and red
mite in poultry. [7]
According to (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2004), Piperine is a pale
yellow to yellow crystalline solid with a pungent odor and a burning aftertaste. It is slightly
irritating to skin and eyes. Piperine is structurally related to capsaicin, the chemical responsible
for making chili peppers hot. [8]
According to (The researcher of University of Ottawa, 2003), extracts from black pepper
discourage insect pests from laying eggs on leaves and pose lower risk to humans and the
environment than other pesticides. [9]
According to (Colliers Encyclopedia, 1995), Food may be infested by various kinds of
weevils, beetles, moths, mites, psocids, flies, cockroaches, and ants. Some pests, such as the drug
store beetle, are truly goats of the insect world and will feed readily on curry powder, hot chilli
peppers, and other spices. [10]

REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

11

According to (Khani M. Ph.D. et al., 2012), A large amount of powders, extracts and essential
oils from natural products, believed to be non-hazardous to humans and the environment, have
been employed as bio pesticides to control different insect pests. It must be noted that plant
materials have been used as insecticides against different economically important pests before
the invention of chemical pesticides such as DDT.[11]
According to (Shabnam Ashouri and Nouraddin Shayesteh, 2009), a number of spices had
been tried and found effective. Some include powders from red peppers (Capsicum spp.) and
black peppers (Piper spp.) that were evaluated.[12]
According to (Akinneye et al., 2006), Peasant farmers and researchers often claim successful
use of material of plant origin in insect pest control including spices and powders of plant parts.
[13]

According to (G. M. Prowse et.al, 2006) Various novel botanical extracts have been
investigated for their insecticidal properties; these include extracts from the neem tree (Dhar et
al., 1996), thyme (Mansour et al ., 2000), avocado (Rodriguez-Saona & Trumble, 1996),
citronella (Lindsay et al., 1996) and garlic (Birrenkott et al., 2000). [14]
According to (Alcantara, 1985), In the Philippines, some plants have been studies for their
pesticidial activity. These include marigold, black peppers, flame tree, kakawate or Madre de
Cacao and the Derris plant. Among these plants, the flame tree (Caesalpiniapulcherrima L.) has
been found to affect cockroaches.[15]
According to (Scott WP and McKibben GH, 1978), The insecticidal properties of black pepper
(Piper nigrum L, Piperaceae) extracts were first observed in 1924. [16]

12

Notes:

13

[1] Piperine, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piperine

[2]

Insecticides, 2015, Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/insecticide.html
[3] Kurtis Frank and Sol Orwell, Black Pepper, http://examine.com/supplements/Black+Pepper/
[4] Srikanth R, A brief overview of natural cockroach repellents, 2014,
http://srirad0675.hubpages.com/hub/A-brief-overview-of-natural-cockroach-repellents
[5] 10 Killer Home Remedies for Cockroaches , 2014, http://pestsoff.com/how-to-get-rid-ofcockroaches/10-home-remedies-for-cockroaches/
[6] Find a Vitamin or Supplement, Garlic, 2009, http://www.webmd.com/vitaminssupplements /ingredientmono300garlic.aspx?
activeingredientid=300&activeingredientname=garlic
[7] Dr. Anwar A. et.al, Pesticide News, Garlic: from natures ancient food to nematicide,
http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Issue/pn84/PN84_18-20.pdf, (PDF). 2009, p.1820.
[8] Piperine (043501) Fact sheet, http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/chem_search/reg _actions
/registration/fs_PC-043501_01-Oct-04.pdf
[9] Pepper Tested as Natural Pesticide, 2003, http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/peppertested-as-natural-pesticide-1.381535
[10] Colliers Encyclopedia, Insect Control, Controlling Household Pests, 1995, Volume 13,
p. 49

14

[11] Khani M. , Journal of Medicinal Plants, Insecticidal Effects of Peppermint and Black
Pepper Essential Oils against Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. and Rice Moth, Corcyra
cephalonica (St.), 2012, Volume 11, No. 43, p. 98
[12-13]

Shabnam Ashour and Nouraddin Shayesteh, Insecticidal Activities of Black pepper

and Red pepper in powder form on adults of Rhyzopertha Dominica (F.) and Sitophilus
Granarius (L.), 2009, Vol. 31, No.2, p. 122
[14] Gareth M. Prowse, Tamara S. Galloway, and Andrew Fonggo, Insecticidal activity of garlic
juice in two dipteran pests, The Royal Entomological Society, Agricultural and Forest
Entomology 8, 1-6., 2006, p. 2
[15] Sharon S. Rito and Maria Carla M. Romano, Kantutay (Cantara camara) as Pesticide
against
CockroachAmericana),
(Periplaneta1999,
Americana),
Pesticide against cockroach,
against Cockroach
(Periplaneta
p. 7
1999, p. 7
[16] Scott WP and McKibben GH, Toxicity of black pepper extract to boll weevils, 1978,
Volume 71, p.p. 343 - 344

CHAPTER III
15

METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
This research will use experimental method of research through randomized complete block
design to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of the garlic extract and black pepper
powder as an alternative insecticide against American cockroaches.
The variables required for this research to be done are extract of Garlic and Black pepper
seed powder under different treatments which are 100 % garlic extract, 75 % garlic extract and
25 % black pepper seed powder, 50% garlic extract and 50 % black pepper seed powder, 25%
garlic extract and 75 % black pepper seed powder, and 100 % of black pepper seed powder
which will serve as the independent variable and the result of the test will be the dependent
variable.
Randomized Complete Block Design
Replication
A
B
C

T1
T1A
T1B
T1C

T2
T2A
T2B
T2C

T3
T3A
T3B
T3C

Figure 2. Research Design

T1 = 100 % garlic extract

T2 = 75 % garlic extract and 25 % black pepper seed powder
T3 = 50% garlic extract and 50 % black pepper seed powder
16

T4
T4A
T4B
T4C

T5
T5A
T5B
T5C

T4 = 25% garlic extract and 75 % black pepper seed powder

T5 = 100 % black pepper seed powder
MATERIALS
Mortar and pestle

American cockroaches

Funnel

4 plastic spray bottles

10 ml distilled water

50 g. of black pepper seeds

Cheese cloth

1 kg. of garlic

Surgical gloves

2 graduated cylinders (20 ml)

Face mask

25 big containers

1 small jar

2 small containers

PROCEDURE:
A. Collection of Test Insects
1. Collect cockroaches from places with high amount of atmosphere moisture.
2. Put 5 (five) cockroaches in each container.
B. Gathering, getting the extract and seed powder
1. Prepare the materials to be used for the experiment.
2. Collect garlic and seed of black pepper seed.

17

3. Pound the garlic and black pepper seed using mortar and pestle.
4. Get the extract of garlic and powder of black pepper.
5. Prepare different treatments out of the garlic extract and seed powder.
6. Put the first four treatments in different plastic spray bottles with respective labels while the
last treatment will be putted in a small jar.

STATISTICAL TOOL
The researchers will use the One-way F-test or Single Analysis Variance (ANOVA) will be
used as a statistical tool for this study. The F-test or Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is an
18

inferential statistics used to determine the significant difference of three or more variables or
multivariate collected from experimental research.

CF=

( x1 + x 2+ x 3+ x 4 + x 5 )

BSS=

N1+ N2+ N 3+ N4+ N 5

( x5 ) ( x 5) ( x5 ) ( x 5) ( x5 )
+
+
+
+
CF
N1
N2
N3
N4
N5

Within Groups:
WSS=TSSBSS

Total Groups:
TSS= x21 + x 22 + x 23 + x 24 + x 25CF

19