The Feasibility of Banana Leaves

(MusaAcuminata) and Mabolo Fruit

(Diospyros Blancoi) Extract as Organic Shoe
Wax

Meynard Tabor
Researcher

Mr. Glenn V. Mendoza

INRODUCTION
Rationale
Shoe wax is a solid polish with a base typically comprised of beeswax or something
similar. It offers a more classic glass-like shine than cream polishes as well as some extra
resistance to scuffs and marks on the leather, but takes a bit more time and effort to use. You
don’t want to over-apply wax as it can dry out and flake off if you layer it on too thick- rather
than getting fully absorbed into the leather, wax polishes do most of their work on the surface.
Shoe polish is either a waxy paste or creamy liquid applied directly to leather shoes and
boots. The shoe polish restores the natural appearance of the leather, gives it a water proof
finish and adds shine to the leather. Shining your shoes with shoe polish is a simple and
effective way of extending their life and preserving their natural appearance. Wax shoe polish
provides a heavier shine and waterproofs shoes, but liquid shoe polish tends to be easier to
apply. (www.hunker.com)
Banana leaves are large, wide, elongated, and slightly rounded, averaging two meters in
length, a half a meter in width, and 8-12 leaves per tree. The surface of the leaves are waxy,
flexible, and glossy, and range in color from lime, olive green, to dark green. There is a central
midrib that runs the length of the leaf and two laminas, or leaf halves are found on either side
of the midrib. The leaves leaves do not have branching veins, and this makes them vulnerable
to tearing easily. Banana plants also have a pseudostem, which is a false stem that looks like a
trunk but is multiple fleshy leaf sheaths that are tightly overlapped. Banana leaves have a grassy
and sweet, green flavor. Banana leaves, botanically classified as Musa acuminate, grow on
perennial herbal shrub that resembles a tree but is classified as plant. There are many varieties
of banana plants growing in tropical regions, and some can grow up 7-8 meters tall. Bananas
are believed to have been one of the world’s first cultivated fruits, and the leaves have become
a popular cooking tool. Banana leaves are not typically consumed but are used as a waterproof
wrapper to cook food and add flavor. Banana leaves contain polyphenols, which are natural
antioxidants. Some of these polyphenols are also found in green tea.
(https://www.specialtyprocedure.com/procedure/Banana_Leaves_3403.php)
 Mabolo is a medium-sized tree growing to a height of 20 meters. Leaves leathery,
oblong, up to 20 centimeters long, with a round base and acute tip. The blade is glossy green,
smooth above and softly hairy below. Female flowers are axillary and solitary, larger than the
male. Fruits are fleshy, globose, up to 8-10 centimeters in diameter, densely covered with short
brown hairs. The pulp is edible. The fruit hairs have to be rubbed off before eating as it can
cause peri-oral itching and irritation. (www.stuartxchange.com/Mabolo.html)
Statement of the Problem
Generally, this study aims to determine the feasibility of banana leaves (Musa

Acuminata) and Mabolo Fruit (Diospyros Blancoi) extract as shoe wax.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. Which treatment from banana leaves and mabolo fruit extract and the commercial one

is the best in terms of:

a) Odor;

b) Appearance;

c) Texture;

d) Duration;

2. Is there a significant difference between the banana leaves and mabolo fruit extract

and the commercial shoe wax interms of odor, appearance, and texture?

Hypotheses

1. Banana leaves and mabolo fruit is not effective as shoe wax.

2. There is a significant difference between the banana leaves and mabolo fruit extract

and the commercial shoe wax interms of odor, appearance, and texture.

Significance of the study

I. This research study helps individuals to save money by not buying commercial

products which are a lot more expensive.

II. This study helps individuals to make their shoes clean and shiny.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Banana leaves (Musa Acuminata) have a wide range of application because they are

large, flexible, waterproof and decorative. They are used for cooking, wrapping and food-serving

in a wide range of cuisines in tropical and subtropical areas. They are used for decorative and

symbolic purposes in numerous Hindu and Bhuddist ceremonies. In traditional homebuilding in

tropical areas, roofs and fences made with banana-leaf thatch. Banana and palm leaves were

historically the primary writing surfaces in many nations of South and Southeast Asia.

(https://findwords.info/term/banana%20leaf)

Mabolo (Diospyros blancoi) is a fruit native to the Philippines. It is closely related to

persimmons, and is characterized by having a fine, velvety fur on the skin, from which the

common name is derived. The fruit is typically reddish-brown in color, soft flesh, the smell of

velvet apples is considered by many people to be unpleasant, commonly compared to the smell

of cat feces or rotten cheese. As a culinary dish, it is either eaten raw, like normal apples, but is

also included in various dessert dishes and in certain beverages. Despite the unpleasant smell,

people still turn to velvet apples because of its high nutrient content that can be very beneficial

for a variety of health issues. Velvet apples are rich sources of various vitamins, minerals, and

essential organic compounds, including dietary fiber, protein, potassium, iron, calcium, vitamin

A, vitamin C, and the B-family vitamins. (https://www.organicfacts.net/health-

bnefits/fruit/velvet-apples.html)
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials and Equipment

The equipment which will be used in this research study are bolo and hand gloves which

will be used in gathering banana leaves and mabolo; in cleaning the banana leaves clean clothe

will be use; basin which will be use in placing the mabolo fruit; For the extraction of banana

leaves and mabolo fruit, the researcher will use blender, mortar and pestle, and casserole. Knife

and chopping board will be use in slicing the mabolo fruit. Glass container with cover will be

used to contain the extract. Spoon will be used in stirring the extract.

Procedure

Preparing the banana leaves and mabolo fruits extract

The raw materials will be gathered at Sta. Filomena Abulug. The banana leaves will be

wiped with a wet clean clothe to remove the dirt, and the mabolo fruit will rubbed in the grass to

remove the hairy part of the fruit then place in a basin with water. The raw materials will be set

aside and air dried it for a minutes. In the extraction of the banana leaves, a small quantity will

be place inside the blender to chop the leaves into smaller pieces. The chopped leaves will be

pounded for easier extraction using the mortar and pestle. The extract will be placed in a clean

glass container with cover. Set the extract aside while the other raw materials are being

extracted. In the extraction of the mabolo fruit, the fruit will be slice into pieces and remove the

seed. The chopped fruit will be pounded for easier extraction using the mortar and pestle. The

extract will be placed in a clean glass container with cover.

Making the Mixture for the organic shoe wax

 Banana leaves and mabolo fruit will be prepared and measured in the desired amount

needed for the formulation of the shoe wax

The small amount of beeswax will be place in the casserole and will be heated using the

double broiler technicque. Then mix the two raw materials and stir using a spoon. Transfer the

stirred extract in the beeswax. Continue stirring then transferred it in a clean glass container. Set

aside until it cooled down and solidified.

Data Gathering Procedures

Three treatments will prepare in the conduct of this study. The three treatments will make

to identify the best treatment.

The three (3) different treatments of the shoe wax prepared as follows:

Treatment 1 (T1) – 35 ml of banana leaves extract and 15 ml mabolo fruit extract.

Treatment 2 (T2) – 25 ml of banana leaves extract and 25 ml of mabolo leaves extract.

Treatment 3 (T3) – 15 ml of banana leaves extract and 35 ml of mabolo fruit extract.

Treatment 0 (T0) - commercial

To interpret the data gathered by the researcher, the following scale will be used.

Scale for the DURATION OF THE SHOE WAX

Time of shoe wax (minutes) Descriptive Value

1 hour ---------- Very Ineffective

45 minutes ---------- Ineffective

30 minutes ---------- Effective

15 minutes ---------- Very Effective

 Scale for the TEXTURE OF THE SHOE WAX

Texture of shoe wax Descriptive Value

Very smooth ---------- Very Ineffective

Very rough ---------- Ineffective

Smooth ---------- Effective

Rough ---------- Very Effective

Scale for the

Texture of shoe wax Descriptive Value

Very smooth ---------- Very Ineffective

Very rough ---------- Ineffective

Smooth ---------- Effective

Rough ---------- Very Effective

To interpret the mean scores gathered from the time in healing of the wound after using

the antibacterial ointment from Hagonoy leaves extract, the following scales will be:

Mean Score Descriptive Value

1.00 – 1.67 ---------- Ineffective

1.68 – 3.34 ---------- Effective

 3.35 – 5.00 ---------- Very Effective

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested at 0.05 level of significance was also done to

determine if there is a significant difference between the best treatment prepared for the

antibacterial ointment from hagonoy leaves extract and the leading commercial antibacterial

ointment in terms of time of wound healing after used and inhibiting the growth of

Staphylococcus aureus.