Technological Institute of the Philippines

Department of Chemical Engineering

Principles of Biochemical Engineering

Proposal Title: Anti-viral plants as an alternative hand sanitizer and disinfectant.

Proponent(s): Rojen G. Galicio

RATIONALE

As our country currently faces the coronavirus (COVID-19), the shortage of cleaning products especially
disinfectants and hand sanitizers are limiting many people to protect themselves from the virus. Washing
hands with soap and using household cleaners may help with personal protection against the coronavirus,
but disinfectant liquid and hand sanitizers are handy for use outdoors, in public spaces and in vehicles.
They are especially needed by people in essential jobs that cannot be performed from home. So, the
demand for sanitizers remains high despite restrictions on outdoor movement. Producers of this are seeing
orders spike they are still struggling with the unusually high demand and intermittent problems obtaining
raw materials. The aim of this project is to develop an alternative source of materials and to promote proper
method of making home-maid antiviral plant disinfectant and hand sanitizer to prevent virus infection.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

There a lot of studies have been done about the efficacy of several plants to fight bacteria and viruses such
as oregano, garlic, peppermint, brown algae, ginger which is easily can be found in our homes and
communities. Usually the extract of these plants is being used to exhibit antiviral activity ( Yuri Choi et al.,
2014). Since ancient times, plants have been used as viral infections due to their concentration of potent
plant compounds, these plants help fight viruses and are favored by practitioners of natural medicine (Adda
Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN 2019). By this we can apply methods needed to make these plants as disinfectant at
home, at a time when all hand sanitizers and disinfectant are in short supply this is great alternative to
alcohol-based sanitizers.
Many people using household bleach to disinfect their places though It is inexpensive and effective at killing
germs when used properly the risk of having serious illnesses is very high according to the U.S.
environmental Protection Agency (EPA) bleach can be toxic to every living being and our environment. As
you may know or even have experienced, the fumes from bleach are very strong. When it’s inhaled, it may
cause a variety of health problems. Bleach is very irritating and corrosive to the skin, lungs, and eyes. As
well, it has been known to burn human tissue internally or externally in contrast the anti-viral plants have a
very minimal effects both in health and environment (Rajesh Kumar Ganjhu at al., 2015).
Whether it’s coronavirus or any viruses, nobody wants to get infected. When it does hit our home, we want
to prevent it from spreading with thorough disinfecting and sanitizing.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study is to develop home-maid disinfectant and hand sanitizer to prevent virus
infection. Specifically, we will seek the following objectives:
1. Develop DIY Disinfecting/Antiviral hand sanitizer and cleaner.
2. Develop a proper method to make home-maid antiviral hand sanitizer and disinfectant.
METHODOLOGY
Sampling Procedure
- The samples used in this study are Oregano leaves, Garlic cloves and Ginger which usually
collected from the local market.
Procedure for the Extraction of the Ingredients
Extracting oil from oregano, garlic and ginger involves a distinct distillation process. However, there is an
easy way to make your own homemade, oil of these ingredients.

Materials and Equipment:

Oregano leaves, crushed or chopped. Blender 1/4 of ginger.
Clove of peeled garlic. Vegetable/Fruit Press Strainer
2 jars with twist lids Saucepan

1. Press the cloves of peeled garlic through a press. Dump the pressed garlic into a blender. Repeat
it until you have used as 1 whole garlic. Each 1 lb. of garlic cloves will give roughly 1 g of highly
concentrated garlic extract. Pulse the pressed garlic until you see some of the oil separate from the
garlic pieces.
2. Strain the garlic pieces from the oil using a fine mesh strainer. The liquid leftover is garlic extract.
3. Place 1/4 of the ginger in a blender. Process until a fine paste forms, and remove from blender.
Repeat the procedure with the remaining ginger.
4. Place ginger paste in a fine sieve over a bowl, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract juice.
5. Boil the water in a saucepan and let it boil, then turn off the flame. Put your oregano leaves into a
jar and then pour the oil of your choice over the leaves.
6. Place the jar into hot water and allow it sit for 5-10 minutes. This process heats up the oil and
allows the oregano to release its natural oils.
7. After gathering all the extracts from the ingredients, collect 30ml of extract for both oregano, garlic
and ginger and place in a bottle with 300ml water.
8. Stir it up and store in a proper room temperature to best preserve the properties of essential
extract.

The ingredients used are generally considered safe essential plants, but please keep in mind that while
completely natural, all of this are powerful plant compounds that you and your family including your pets
might have a reaction too.

References
Yuri Choi et al., 2014 Phaeophyta Extracts Exhibit Antiviral Activity against Feline Calicivirus Pukyong National University,Korea.
Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN 2019 Impressive Herbs with Antiviral Activity (Compositions High Antiviral And Antibacterial
Efficacy)
Rajesh Kumar Ganjhu at al., 2015 Herbal plants and plant preparations as remedial approach for viral diseases 26(4): 225–236.