INTRODUCTION

Gasoline is one of the things that are essential to make a vehicle move. It

has become a part of our life, because without the gasoline, there are no source of

fuels for the cars, tricycle, motorcycle and other transportation vehicles here in

our country. However, due to the rising of gasoline price hike, the transportation

fare also increases. As a result, some of the money invested by vehicle users or

drivers is lessened.

According to Jugo (2017), Paragis (Eleusine Indica) is also known as

“goose grass” or “dog’s tail” or “wire grass” in English. It grows abundantly in

hot climates. It is found almost everywhere, especially on vacant lots or other

places here in our country that is in the tropical regions. Scientists have

discovered that it potentially contains methanol that is a cheaper kind of

alternative fuel for vehicles.

In connection to this, the researchers have come up with a Paragis (Eleusine

Indica) extract as an additive to gasoline to prolong the usage of gasoline and to

lessen the amount of money spent by the consumers, especially drivers.

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 MATERIALS AND METHOD

a. Research Design

This study employed the comparative experimental research design

because the commercialized gasoline and the Gasoline with Paragis (Eleusine

indica) Extract were compared. The variables used in this study were shown in

table 1.

Table 1. Variables Used in the Study

Independent Variable Dependent Variable Constant Variable

 Amount of  Amount of  Amount of Mixed
Paragis Gasoline Gasoline with
consumed Paragis Extract.
 Feasibility

b. Set-ups

This study compared 3 experimental groups as shown in figure 1.

Controlled Group consists of Set-up A which is the 100 mL Commercialized

Gasoline. The Experimental Group consists of 2 different set-ups, B, and C. Set-

up B has a content of 5 mL of Paragis Extract with 95 mL of Gasoline. Set-up C

has a content of 10 mL of Paragis Extract with 90 mL of Gasoline.

Controlled Group Experiment Group

Set-up B Set-up C
Set-up A (5 mL Paragis Extract With 95 (10 mL Patagis Extract With 90 mL
(100 mL Commercialized Gasoline) mL Gasoline) Gasoline)

Figure 1. The set-ups that were compared

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c. Materials

The chemicals used in the experimentation are presented in figure 2 while

the glass wares and other materials are displayed in figure 3

Paragis Extract Beaker with 100

(Eleusine Indica) mL Gasoline

Figure 2. Chemicals used in the experimentation

Motorcycle Container Bottle

Measuring Beaker
Spoon

Figure 3. Glass wares and other materials used in experimentation

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 c. General Procedures

The researchers collected 1 kg of Paragis (Eleusine indica) Plant. Then, it

extracted with a Methanol as a solvent. After making an extraction, they prepared

materials before proceeding to the experimentation. After preparing, 4 different set-ups

are made. Then, the researchers mixed Paragis (Eleusine indica) Extract with Gasoline. 4

set-ups are used to the motorcycle to test the feasibility of Paragis (Eleusine indica) Plant

as an Additive to Gasoline.

Procedures

Extraction of Paragis (Eleusine indica) plant

The Paragis Plant was air dried then oven dried at a certain temperature. After

drying, the product has been ground pulverize before cold maceration. The pulverize

Paragis (g) were extracted with a methanol and water as a solvent in order to increasing

polarities. Extractions were done for two weeks with occasional shaking and the process

repeated three times. The residue was air dried overnight and used for next solvent

extraction (DCM) as per the above procedure and the same procedure was repeated for

next two other solvents (EA and methanol). The combined extracts for each solvent were

filtered and dried into the vacuum.

d. Testing

The samples were tested at the Sun Valley, Better Living, Paranaque City to

where we rented a motorcycle (Yamaha RS 100 - 1992 Model).

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 RESULTS

Table 2. Time/Duration of the engine using Set-Up A

Trial Time that the engine (𝑋1 − 𝑋1 )2

worked
1 4.28 0.14
2 4.52 0.14
Average 4.40 0.14

Table 2 shows close time duration between the two trials and the variance of each
trial were both 0.14. This set-up contains 100mL of gasoline with no Paragis extract. This
set-up is able to run an engine in trial 1 and trial 2 by 4 minutes and 28 seconds and 4
minutes and 52 seconds respectively. By using the formula of getting the variance the
result became the same so the computed average was 0.14.

Table 3. Time/Duration of the engine using Set-Up B

Trial Time that the engine (𝑋2 − 𝑋2 )2

worked
1 5.58 0.09
2 6.18 0.09
Average 5.88 0.09

Table 3 shows distant time duration between the two trials and the variance of
each trial were 0.09. This set-up contains 95 mL of gasoline and 5mL of Paragis extract.
This set-up is able to run an engine in trial 1 and trial 2 by 5 minutes and 58 seconds and
6 minutes and 18 seconds respectively. By using the formula of getting the variance the
result became the same so the computed average was 0.09.

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 Table 4. Time/Duration of the engine using Set-Up C

Trial Time that the engine (𝑋3 − 𝑋3 )2

worked (min.)
1 0 7.34
2 5.41 7.29
Average 2.71 7.32

Table 4 shows distant time duration between the two trials and the variance of
each trial were 7.34. This set-up contains 95 mL of gasoline and 5mL of Paragis extract.
This set-up is able to run an engine in trial 1 and trial 2 by 5 minutes and 41 seconds and
2 minutes and 71 seconds respectively. By using the formula of getting the variance the
result became 7.34 and 7.29 so the computed average was 7.32.

Table 5. T-test of each set-ups and trials

Trial Set-Up A (𝑋1 − 𝑋1 )2 Set-Up B (𝑋2 − 𝑋2 )2 Set-Up C (𝑋3 − 𝑋3 )2

1 4.28 0.14 5.58 0.09 5.54 7.34
2 4.52 0.14 6.18 0.09 5.41 7.29
Average 4.40 0.14 5.88 0.09 2.71 7.32

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 DISCUSSION

Based on the results tested by the researchers, it was found out that Set-up B is

more efficient in these results were further confirmed by T-Test. The Table 5 presents an

variance of 0.09 which indicates that there is a difference in the amount of time they

consumed. This denotes that as the amount of Paragis (Eleusine indica) extract increases,

the amount of their time increases also. Since the computed variance of 0.09 were shown

in Set-Up B at table 3 is lesser than Set-Up A and C at table 5, this means that alternative

hypotheses must be accepted denoting that there is a significant difference between

commercialized gasoline and gasoline with Paragis extract in terms of the amount time

consumed. Wherein, the Set-Up B is better than the rest of the Set-Ups.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the study, the researchers came up with the following

conclusions:

1. Paragis (Eleusine indica) Extract can be an additive to Gasoline.

2. There is a significant difference between the commercialized gasoline and

Gasoline with Paragis (Eleusine indica) extract.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings of our research, the paragis extract is an effective additive to

gasoline. The researchers discovered that the paragis extract can extend the time for

the engine to continue to work. After the observations, researchers recommend the

following:

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 1. The Paragis extract should not have impurities

2. The Paragis extract must be used immediately after being extracted.

3. The Paragis extract should be filtered thoroughly.

4. Try other kinds of plants with bioethanol and oil extract.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research would not be possible without the people who expressed their

concern and guidance to this study. The researchers would like to acknowledge and show

their gratitude to the following:

To their Research Adviser, Ma’am Marylene Salvatera for giving her time, effort,

support to them.

To their parents who give their best in inspiring and making an effort to support

all financial status just to make sure that this research would be possible;

To their Science Department Head, Mrs. Rowena M. Reyes for giving them

strong motivation and pushing them to their limits to finish this study;

To their School Laboratory Custodian, Mr. Martin A. Rule in giving his efforts

for letting them borrow all the apparatus needed for this study;

To their former groupmates, James Pascua, Erl Versoza and Mary Geslani for

helping them to come up with the idea of this study;

And lastly, to our Almighty GOD for always giving them strength, knowledge,

time, hope, and guidance in conducting and finalizing this research.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adel S. Al-Zubairi et al (2011) “Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative

Medicine”
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/965370
(Accessed December 7, 2018)
Cedrick Brown (2017) “Review of Related Literature Paragis or is a kind of grass that
usually grows on vacant lots and roadsides”
https://espritrock.org/review-of-related-literature-paragis-or-is-a-kind-of-grass-that-
usually-grows-on-vacant-lots-and-roadsides/
(Accessed June 27, 2019)

Environ Health Prev Med. (2011) “Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390565/
(Accessed July, 01, 2019)

Cherry Anne Cruz (2019) “Oil Prices Are Now at Their Highest In Four Years”
https://www.carmudi.com.ph/journal/oil-prices-are-now-at-their-highest-in-four-
years/amp/
(Accessed July 02, 2019)