Manila Cathedral School

287 Tayuman, St. Tondo, Manila

An Investigatory Project

To be submitted to the Science Department

In partial fulfilment of the

Course Requirement in Biology

Submitted to

Mrs. Agnes Cruz

Bernabe, Nicole Czerena

Desierto, Germeign Ann

Maliclic, Chelsea Anne

Manglangit, Treb Miguel

Marasigan, Austin

Second Year - Maximillian Kolbe

February 2013
CITRUS FRUITS AS A
BACTERIAL HAND
SANITIZER
ABSTRACT

The researchers’ main purpose in conducting this study is to help create a product

which is cheaper and could use the same quality as the one through the use of

oranges. This study aims to help people who do not have enough money to buy

expensive hand sanitizer. It also helps the researchers determine the similarities

and differences of the two products have by comparing their qualities. The

procedure in making this product is simple. First, scrape the gel inside the Aloe

Vera leaves. After scraping the gel, the group put it a plastic container and added

1 cup of Ethyl alcohol and 2 teaspoons of Glycerin. Next, grate the orange to get

the zest and add it to the mixture, then, mix till well blended. Lastly, the group

recycled a small bottle that was used as a container for the mixture. The

researchers concluded that the Aloe Vera gel can be used to make the hand

sanitizer more jelly and the zest of the orange more hydrating to the skin. It is

easy to make since the materials used are found in stores and have the cheapest

price. The group is confident that the product is effective because of the Ethyl

alcohol. The researchers advised to use more Aloe Vera for the product to be more

jelly.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers would like to give their heartfelt gratitude to the people who

helped in making and considering this study and for the success of the

researchers. First, the parents who gave their time to help and support their child

in conducting this study. Second, the researcher’s teacher who was always there

when the researchers have questions or problems that needs to be solved. And

last but not the least, to our dear God who guided the researchers in the right

path and for all the blessings that the researchers have received.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

Chapter I: The Problem and its Background

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Background of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Statement of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Significance of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Scope and Limitations of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Chapter II: Review of Related Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chapter III: Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 - 6

Chapter IV: Results and Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter V: Conclusion and Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Appendix

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Curriculum Vitae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14

CHAPTER I: THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Earlier, whenever the people’s hands used to get dirty, people used to go in

search of a good soap and water. This used to become a great inconvenience

especially when travelling. Water spills and soap not getting rinsed properly and

of course, water wastage, all these factors contributed to the discovery of

something called as hand sanitizer.

Background of the Study

The researchers chose the citrus fruits to make it into a Citrus Hand Sanitizer

because the season today is where most citrus fruits bloom. Another factor why

the researchers chose this study because of the protein of Vitamin C most citrus

fruits have from common illnesses like colds, cough, etc. Third, Citrus fruits are

easy to find and are cheap. Fourth, you can easily find them from local grocery

stores and/or markets per kilo, sliced, peeled, mixed with other fruits, canned,

and/or juiced.

Statement of the Problem

The researchers need to solve the following problems:

1. How cheap will it be compared to other hand sanitizer?

2. How effective is the citric hand sanitizer compared with other products?
3. Does it have side effects?
4. Does the Citrus Hand Sanitizer can make hands dry?

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Significance of the Study

The people who will benefit from the hand sanitizer are students, from

pre-school to college. People who live in squatter’s area, condominium units,

small and big houses. People who work as part-time or full-time. People who

work on hospitals like odctors, nurses, janitors, and even patients. Bank

employees, security guards, salesman or women, police officers, etc. Even

people who don’t have jobs and senior citizens!

The Citrus Hand Sanitizer can be significant by helping our hands to be clean and
germ

free. Instead of using soap and water, we can use this hand sanitizer in

travelling, in school, in malls, etc. whenever, wherever.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study covers how citrus fruits can be used as a hand sanitizer and to know the
health benefits when it is used to be a hand sanitizer, the side effects arise when
using the hand sanitizer. Other than that, the study will not cover topics beyond
the scope of the research.

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CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family,

Rutaceae. These plants are large shrubs or small trees, reaching 5-15 m tall, with

spiny shoots and alternately arranged evergreen leaves with an entire margin. The

flowers are solitary or in small corymbs, each flower 2-4 cm diameter, with five

(rarely four) white petals and numerous stamens; they are often very strongly

scented.

Citrus fruits are notable for their fragrance. The juice contains a high quality of

citric acid giving them their characteristic sharp flavour. The genus is commercially

important as many species are cultivated for their fruit, which is eaten fresh,

pressed for juice, or preserved in marmalades and pickles.

The invention of hand sanitizer was from Lupe Hernandez of Bakersfield, CA. In

1996, he called an invention hotline off of the TV, and ordered a package for an

idea he had on how he would create system in hospitals, to where all sinks would

have an alcohol solutions, at the bottom of the sink connected to the pipe,

outgoing water reaching our hands with cleaning solution and a sanitizer gel

making it easier for hospital staff and quicker to get patients. This idea came to

mind because he was attending school to become a RN.

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CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, the group will be making a hand sanitizer out of materials that can

be found in homes and that are cheap to buy.

The group found out that Citrus fruits are cheap and easy to buy especially when it

is in season. Citrus fruits also have a high quantity of Vitamin C that make the skin

healthy and prevent it from drying that’s why the researches chose this as their

primary ingredient for their product – home-made Citrus hand sanitizer.

Alcohols that have 70%-up solution are mostly found on homes and are cheap in

the market. The researchers chose this ingredient because of its cleaning

properties when it comes to germs and bacteria that can cause sickness in people.

The group did was, first, researched the materials needed and the procedures on

making a hand sanitizer. Second, the group bought the materials needed to be

able to make a hand sanitizer.

The group will be making a hand sanitizer out of the following materials: ½ cup of

Aloe Vera gel, 2 teaspoons of Glycerin, 1 cup of Ethyl alcohol, zest of a 1 whole

orange.

The researchers did was, first, scrape the gel inside the Aloe Vera leaves. After

scraping the gel, the group put it a plastic container and added 1 cup of Ethyl

alcohol and 2 teaspoons of Glycerin. Next, grate the orange to get the zest and

add it to the mixture, then, mix till well blended. Lastly, the group recycled a small

bottle that was used as a container for the mixture.

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CHAPTER IV: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Findings

The researchers conducted a list of findings on the product

Features Citric Hand Commercial Hand

Sanitizer Sanitizer
Colour brownish-yellowish clear color
color
Fragrance orange-y fruity
Texture sticky smooth

This table showed the results of the survey. 5 different people tested the Citric

Hand Sanitizer in each trial.

Criteria Citric Hand Commercial Hand

Sanitizer Sanitizer
Affordable ///// -
Fragrance /// //
Effectivity // ///

4.2 Results

In Criteria #1, 5 different people agreed that the group’s product was affordable.

In Criteria #2, 5 people tested the product by smelling. 3 out of 5 agreed that the

fragrance was not harsh on the nose when it’s being smelled.

In Criteria #3, 2 out of 5 people agreed that the product was effective to use.

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CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusions

The researchers therefore conclude that the citrus hand sanitizer was confidently a

success because of the presence of Ethyl alcohol that made it more disinfectant

and the ingredients used to make the hand sanitizer were readily available and

easily accessible in the market.

5.2 Recommendations

In the findings the group have conducted, the researchers respectfully recommend

some instructions for better results.

1. It is optional to put essential oil for the sake of your nose not to be irritated

with the smellof the original essence.

2. You should put more Aloe Vera gel than the ethyl alcohol to make the hand

sanitizer jelly.

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 APPENDIX

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_sanitizer

http://biology.about.com/od/microbiology/a/handsanitizers.htm

http://www.humantouchofchemistry.com/how-hand-sanitizers-made-their-
debut.htm

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_is_the_first_person_to_formulate_hand_sanitizer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus

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CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: BERNABE, Nicole Czerena D.

Age: 13

Educational Attainment

Primary: South Crest School

Secondary: Manila Cathedral School

Honors/Awards received:

Elementary – 2nd honor

Highschool – Top 3 on English (subject proficiency)

Organization: Biotechnicians Club

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Name: DESIERTO, Germeign Ann S.

Age: 14

Educational Attainment

Primary: EMD Carmelite School

Secondary: Manila Cathedral School

Honors/Awards received:

Nursery – 1st Honor

Kinder – 2nd Honor

– Best in Music

– Most Cooperative

Organization: Hiyas Ng Sining Club

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Name: MALICLIC, Chelsea Anne J.

Age: 14

Educational Attainment

Primary: Manila Cathedral School

Secondary: Manila Cathedral School

Honors/Awards received:

Grade 2 – Top 7

2nd Year – Top 6 on Science (subject proficiency)

Organization: Biotechnicians Club

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Name: MANGLANGIT, Treb Miguel V.

Age: 13

Educational Attainment

Primary: Shilloh Christian Academy

Secondary: Manila Cathedral School

Honors/Awards received: --

Organization: Biotechnicians Club

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Name: MARASIGAN, April Austin C.

Age: 14

Educational Attainment

Primary: St. Anne De Beaupre School

Secondary: Manila Cathedral School

Honors/Awards received:

1st to 3rd Grade – Champion in Elocution Test

Organization: Earth Savers Club

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