CHAPTER I

The Problem and its Scope

Introduction

Feces are the solid or semisolid remains of the food that could not be digested

in the small intestine. Other than its use as a fertilizer, feces are mostly considered as

useless. In this study, we will find another use for it. On the other hand, paper is one

of the most essential materials we us in our daily lives. According to Economy.com,

the United States uses 749 pounds (340kg) of paper every year (adding up to a

whopping 187 billion pounds (85 billion kg) per year for the entire population. The

site also stated that nearly 4 billion trees or 35 percent of the total trees cut around the

world are used in paper industries on every continent. If we do not find another source

for making paper the next generation might not know how wonderful trees are.

Statement of the Problem

Blood thinning helps in the prevention of clot. However, our insensitive

characteristics and our “just don’t mind it” statements, cause people to just leave the

situation behind leading to sudden deaths. By this, they conducted a study in order to

help reduce the risk of blood clot.

Significance of the Study

The importance of this research is to help the community in centering their

attention to the reality. It is also focused on making something out of nothing. Since,
earthworm mucus is somehow insignificant in helping the community, they try to

build something out of this certain substance.

Objectives of the Study

1. To create an alternative solution in making blood thin.

2. To make something out of nothing.

Definition of Terms

Anticoagulant

- A substance that stops blood clotting

Apple

- A firm round fruit with a central core, red, green, or yellow skin, and white

or yellow flesh.

Blood Clot

- Mass of thickened blood

Earthworm

- A worm that burrows in the soil and helps to aerate it and improve it

Mucus

- The clear slimy lubricating substance consisting mostly of mucins and

water that coats and protects mucous membranes

Vitamin E
 - A mixture of fat-soluble vitamins essential for reproduction and helps

anticoagulate the blood

Vitamin K

- A vitamin important for blood clotting

CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents related studies after the search of the researchers. This

will also present the synthesis of the art, theoretical, and conceptual framework to

fully understand the research.

Related Studies

a. Apple (Malus Domestica)

“Atherosclerosis which results from gradual deposition of lipids in medium

and large arteries is a leading cause of mortality worldwide” which reveals the

coagulation factors of an apple to a high cholesterolemic rabbit. That means apples

could also be useful in preventing hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis and lowering

the related risk of coronary artery disease (Setorki M, Asgary S, Eidi A et al., 2009).

A compound called rutin, a substance found in an apple, shows to inhibit the

formation of blood clots (Prescott B et al., May 2009). The old saying “An Apple a Day,

Keeps the Doctor Away” now has science to back it up. Rutin, a substance contained in that
fruit (as well as in onions, buckwheat, and tea), has potent anticlotting powers that could help

prevent heart attack and stroke (Gadrais E et al., October 2012).

b. Earthworms

Earthworms release mucus which is high in protein and carbohydrates (Pan et al.,

2010). Moreover, it was shown that the mucus, produced in high amounts by earthworms

during ingestion, contains certain amounts of concentrations of easily available compounds,

such as carbohydrates (Martin et al., 1987; Schmidt et al., 1999; Pan et al., 2010). These

factors tend to activate microbial activity and induce a priming effect in the presence of

earthworms (Lu et al., 2003; Coq et al., 2007). Earthworm cast and mucus are rich in

polysaccharides (Guggenberger et al., 1996; Zhang et al., 2009; Pan et al., 2010). Excretes of

other insects (like plant louse), feeding on leafs, contain high sugar amounts. The mucus

contains water, electrolytes, soluble organic compounds, and a number of macromolecules

mainly glycoproteins or mucopolysaccharides (Pan et al., 2010; Lavelle, 2012 ). Earthworm

mucus being high on carbohydrates, soluble organic compounds, etc. is an effective factor in

anticoagulating the blood. In fact, substances rich on these certain elements help contribute on

anticoagulating the blood.