The researchers are not aware of any study concerned or conducted on producing floor

wax from leaves of Ipil-Ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) tree, nor on the possibility of producing

such product from Ipil-Ipil leaves. Hence, readings presented in this Chapter consist entirely of

conceptual literature.

This part of the chapter presents a review of what Ipil-Ipil (L. leucocephala) is, its

composition and its worldwide use.

I. Ipil-Ipil (Leucaena leucocephala).

The species of Leucaena leucocephala has been world widely known for its many uses

and benefits to man.

In the Philippines, this species of trees is locally known as Ipil-Ipil. The tree grows

gregariously and in abundance mostly found in the settled areas at low and medium altitudes. It

is now pan tropic in distribution since its introduction from tropical America many years ago

(Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture).

Today, Ipil-Ipil tree in the Philippines is generally and popularly valued for firewood and

in reforestation work. The plant is also much used as a cover crop and is a good exterminator of

“kogon”. The bark is valued for its significant potential in producing brown dye while the seeds

of Ipil–Ipil in some provinces are used as coffee substitute.

A. Description.

According to Orwa et.al.(2009), Leucaena leucocephala is a small, variably shrubby and

highly branched (ssp. Leucocephala) to medium-sized tree with a short, clear bole to 5 m, upright

angular branching and a narrow open crown (ssp. Glabrata), 3-15(max. 20) m tall, bole diameter

10-50 cm. Bark on young branches smooth, grey-brown, slash salmon pink, darker grey-brown
and rougher with shallow, rusty orange-brown vertical fissures and deep red inner bark on older

branches and bole. This evergreen plant is deep rooted. It often has a combination of flowers,

immature and mature pods all present on the tree at the same time.

The Bureau of Plant Industry of DA on the other hand describes Ipil-Ipil as a small tree, 2

to 6 meters high. The leaves are compound, 15 to 25 centimeters long, with hairy rachises. The

pinnae are 8 to 16, and 5 to 8 centimeters long. The leaflets are 20 to 30, linear-oblong, and 7 to

12 millimeters in length. The heads are solitary, at the axils of the leaves, long-peduncled,

globose, and 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter, with many white flowers. The pods are thin, flat,

strap-shaped, 12 to 18 centimeters long, and 1.4 to 2 centimeters wide, each containing from 15

to 25 elliptic, compressed, shining, brown seeds.

B. Composition

To define and identify the different constituents of Ipil-Ipil tree, specifically the major

composition of its leaves (either young or mature), which was the main focus of the study;

certain studies conducted all over the world were taken into account.

Numerous researches had already been conducted to determine the composition of the

leaves of L. leucocephala. Findings of such researches do confirm the potential use of the tree’s

leaves as edible forage for animals and as safe food for human consumption based on the leaves

nutritive portions and components. Results also show a wide variety of chemical compounds in

the leaves which might be the reason for its many uses and application.

Duke (1983) of Purdue University of West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. noted that, most

leaves of L. leucocephala contain traces of glucoside quercetrin about 0.08 percent and in every
g of N, there are 294 mg of arginine, 88 cystine, 125 histidine, 563 isoleucine, 469 leucine, 313

lycine, 100 methionine, 188 methionine + cystine, 294 phenylalanine, 231 threonine, 263

tryosine and 338 mg valine.

It is further reported that, raw young leaves show a potential source as forage for

ruminant animals, containing per 100 g edible portion: 68 calories, 79.5 percent moisture, 2.9 g

protein, 0.8 g fat, 15.3 g total carbohydrate, 1.8 g fiber, 1.5 g ash, 553 mg Ca, and 51 mg P. Raw,

tender tops and pods contain per 100 g edible portion: 59 calories, 80.7 percent moisture, 8.4 g

protein, 0.9 g fat, 8.8 g total carbohydrate, 3.8 g fiber, 1.2 g ash, 137 mg Ca, 11 mg P. 9.2 mg Fe,

4,730 mg b-carotene equivalent, 0.09 mg riboflavin, 5.4 mg niacin, and 8 mg ascorbic acid. The

genus Leucaena is also reported to contain hydrocyanic acid, leucaenine, quercitrin and tannic

acid.

Accordingly, the crude protein (CP) of edible material (leaves and small stems) of L.

leucocephala ranged from 14-30%. The high crude protein in leucaena relative to grass

highlights the importance of maintaining adequate quantities of high protein legume in the

pasture and in the diet (Khamseekhiew et al. (2001) as cited by Aganga and Tshwenyane, 2003).

Adeneye (1979) further adds that, “Analysis of Leucaena leucocephala from various

localities in Western Nigeria shows that young leaves, pods and seeds contain more crude

protein but lower crude fibre and ether extract than mature ones. The crude fat component was

higher in the seeds (4.6% and 5.5% for green and ripe seeds, respectively) than in any other

edible part of the plant, while the green and brown seed coats contain the least amount of ether

extract and total ash. The mineral composition of the dry matter of mature leaves is 2.8%

calcium, 0.26% phosphorus, 0.37% magnesium, 1.78% potassium, 0.21% sodium and 0.12%

iron.”
 In botany, the plant’s cuticle is covered by epicuticular wax mainly consisting of

straight- chain aliphatic hydrocarbons with a variety of substituted groups (wikipedia.org, 2010).

The primary wax that coats leaves of most plants found in family Fabaeae in which L.

leucocephala belongs is paraffin.

C. Uses and Applications

Leucaena leucocephala has a wide variety of uses and it was this multiplicity of roles that

led to the worldwide reputation of the species as a ‘miracle tree’ Brewbaker and Shelton (1994).

It is further stated that, “the leaves of leucaena are highly nutritious for ruminants and

many excellent animal production data have been published confirming the fodder value of

leucaena. L. leucocephala is capable of producing a large volume of a medium-light hardwood

11
for fuel (specific gravity of 0.5-0.75) with low moisture and a high heating value, and makes

excellent charcoal, producing little ash and smoke. It also can be used for parquet flooring and

small furniture as well as for paper pulp.”

The plant is also valued in the production of necklaces from seeds and the use of young

leaves and seeds as vegetables for human consumption. Young green pods can be split open and

the fresh immature seeds eaten raw or cooked. Only small amounts can be eaten in this way

because of the presence in seed and young growth of the toxic amino acid mimosine. L.

leucocephala will occasionally produce a gum similar to gum Arabic when stressed by disease or

insect pests.

Furthermore, red, brown and black dyes are extracted from the pods, leaves and bark of

L. leucocephala Orwa et.al. (2009).

II. Wax and Polishes

The New Encyclopedia Britannica (1993) states that, “wax is any class of pliable

substance of animals, plants, minerals, or synthetic origin that differs from fats in being less

greasy, harder and more brittle and in containing principally compounds of high molecular

weight. Waxes melt at moderate temperature and form hard films that can be polished to a high

gloss, making them ideal for use in a wide array of polishes.”

Dewaxing lubricating oil stocks recovered from petroleum results to the production of

waxes. Paraffin is one type of Petroleum wax that is commercially used in manufacturing

candles, crayons and industrial polishes. It assists and supplies a water proof coating for wood.

On the other hand, SpecialChem S.A (2010) describes floor polishes as applications to

resilient flooring such as vinyl tile or wood to maintain a clean and sanitary appearance in high

traffic public areas. The polish is cleaned and buffed, often daily, to restore the shine, and then

periodically stripped and re-applied. Longer maintenance intervals are often preferred, to

minimize labor costs, but only if the polish has sufficient durability.

A. Uses and Applications

Waxes and polishes satisfy man of his demands for a clean and shiny floor. These home

cleaning materials are often used not only in improving the floor’s attribute qualities but also in

restoring the floor’s durability especially for wood floorings.

As evidence of this, Radaza and Amante et.al (2008) noted that, floor wax is important

for housekeeping. It is used in coating to protect floors. Because waxes are insoluble in the

water, they are particularly useful for water proofing. Some plastics have characteristics, and

maybe blended with waxes, add glass, durability and increase toughness. To make floor wax is
very easy. In order to save money from buying commercial and costly floor wax, we should learn

how to make a cheap and easy to use floor wax.

SpecialChem S.A. (2010) adds that, “wax surface modifiers satisfy many of the

performance demands of a floor polish. Proper selection and usage will control how the polish

responds to buffing; minimize black heel marks; and provide slip control, i.e. the proper

coefficient of friction to provide traction for foot traffic in wet or dry conditions. By enhancing

mar, scratch, and abrasion resistance, the surface modifier may also extend the durability of the

polish, resulting in reduced maintenance demands.”

B. Harmful Chemical Components

Most commercial products especially synthetic ones (which might also be true for waxes

and polishes) are composed of some harmful compounds that might cause illness among

consumers.

In fact, the use of floor waxes and polishes is quite dangerous as claimed by the

Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia (2004) because conventional products such as

floor waxes and polishes often contain mineral spirits and petroleum solvents, both of which are

neurotoxin and can cause severe eye and skin irritation as well as Stoddard solvent which is also

neurotoxin. Petroleum solvents may contain traces of carcinogenic benzene.  Some wax

removers with ammonia contain tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether which can cause narcosis

and kidney injury with repeated and prolonged skin exposure.  

C. Future Expectations

The call for a more natural, safer and acceptable way of maintaining the cleanliness and

durability of most floors must be world widely addressed to the manufacturing industries.

Moreover, the use and addition of some harmful chemicals to floor wax and polish

making shall be banned and stopped, if not, at least strictly monitored by the authorities

responsible in securing the health and safety of consumers of the product.

Addressing the need of limiting the use and incorporation of harmful and toxic

compounds to floor waxes and polishes, SpecialChem S.A. (2010) testifies the notion which can

be summarized as follows:

1. The nature of the sanitary maintenance market, of which floor wax and polish is a part,

demands frequent exposure to cleaning chemicals in interior spaces. Increasingly, the

industry is adopting safer methods and materials to mitigate the risks.

2. Today's floor polishes which include floor waxes are expected to be free of harmful

chemicals such as formaldehyde and phenol.

The Ipil-Ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) tree has been considered as the ‘miracle tree’

because of its variety of uses. Its value either locally or in global perspective cannot be denied. It

is used in livestock industry, as timber, as fuel, as gum, as a source of dye and even used as

treatment to some disease or illness.

Fat, crude fiber, nitrogen free material other than fiber, nitrogen, sucrose, water and ash

constitutes the primary composition of Leucaena leucocephala.

 Leaves also contain a variety of compounds such as glucoside queretrin, arginine,

histidine, isoleucene, phenylalanine, etc. It also contains high protein and nutritive value which

makes it a potential food in pasture and in diet.

Waxes on the other hand are pliable and insoluble in water. They are less greasy, harder

and more brittle than fats. Nonetheless, waxes and fats share common characteristics.

Since Ipil-Ipil leaves contain epicuticular waxes such as paraffin and fats, which might be

in large quantity. Then it might be the reason why the concrete cemented smooth floor shines

whenever it is applied on it.

To this extent, the researchers assumed that the epicuticular wax and other wax-like

components and constituents of Ipil-Ipil leaves can be a source of and utilized to produce floor

wax.