INSECTICIDAL EFFICACY OF Dieffenbachia sp (DUMB CANE) EXTRACT

AGAINST Periplaneta americana (AMERICAN COCKROACH)

{ACUPINPIN, _______
BARRIENTOS, ________
GA-AS, ______} change to your names

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF ESPERANZA

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, ESPERANZA, SULTAN KUDARAT
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
IN RESEARCH 8

GRADE 8 STE A

JUNE 2021
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Cockroaches carry diseases that can cause food poisoning or diarrhea because

of their filthy habitats. They can move freely from building to building or from drains,

gardens, sewers, and lantrines to human habitations. They can spread germs that can

be caused of diseases because they feed on human feces, they move in animal

houses, basements, drains and sewage systems and any other dirty places and they

will carry it when they touch our foods and feed from it. Some of the things they feed on,

according to the World Heath of Organization, are on cardboard, book bindings, ceiling

boards containing starch, the side inner lining of shoe soles, their own cast-off skin,

dead, and crippled cockroaches, fresh and dried blood, excrement, sputum, and the

fingernails and toenails of babies and sleeping or sick person. Cockroaches don’t bite

but as what the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have stated, they can

infect you because of the bacteria they carry. We have more than 4,000 species of

cockroaches worldwide but there are two species of cockroaches that are distributed

widely. According to Labayog (2019),the most common type are the American

cockroach (Periplaneta Americana) and the German cockroach (Blattella germanica).

In the study published in the journal Scientific Reports led by professor Michael

E. Scarf(2019), they found out that the pesky pests are rapidly evolving and becoming

resistant to common insecticides. In that research shows that the standard practice of

many exterminators to use multiple pesticides at once may no longer be effective as

before. Moreover, pest control would be really hard in the future if we will solely rely on

chemicals which harmful to human health and environment and is not cost-effective.
 This study utilized a low cost and natural product in suppressing American

cockroach in selected area through extraction of Dieffenbachia sp. The product used

was environmental friendly and cost-effective. All is natural that won’t distribute to

damage the health of household and can help to get rid of the cockroaches in natural

way.

Furthermore, the study was done to test the efficacy of the plant extract as an

insecticide in controlling American cockroach.

Objectives of the Study

The main goal of the study is to determine the insecticidal property of

Dieffenbachia sp plant extract against (Periplaneta americana) American cockroach.

Specifically, this aims the following to:

1. How can Dieffenbachia sp plant extract can be made into a insecticide

for cockroach?

2. Determine the insecticidal potential of the different concentrations of

Dieffenbachia sp plant extract in terms of cockroach mortality (% death only);

a. 10% crude extract

b. 30% crude extract

c. 50% crude extract

3. Determine the insecticidal effectivity of the different concentrations of

Dieffenbachia sp plant extract in terms of cockroach mortality rate (expressed in

number of death per hour, particularly rate of;

a. 10% crude extract

 b. 30% crude extract

c. 50% crude extract

d. Negative Control, and

e. Positive Control?

4. Compare the mortality rate of cockroaches in different plant extract

concentrations and commercial insecticide. Particularly, to determine the

significant difference among treatments.

Significance of the Study

This study is beneficial to the people who are experiencing difficulties in

controlling cockroach in their houses. Furthermore, establishment of information

regarding the efficacy of Dieffenbachia extract will lead to promote natural way of

suppressing the existence of American cockroach. The result of this research would be

a driving force for the innovation and development of natural insecticide against

cockroach.

Scope and Limitation

The study was focused on the effects of Dieffenbachia sp extract to the American

cockroach species and it was limited only to the adult species (vary in size). The study

was conducted at Navarro’s residence located at Poblacion, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat

from April-June 2021. Seventy five American cockroaches were collected from the

different households. Five cockroaches were used in five different treatments in three

trials; treatment 1=10mL crude extract + 90mL distilled water, treatment 2= 30mL crude
extract+ 70mL distilled water, treatment 3=50mL crude extract+50mL distilled water,

treatment 4= negative control( 100mL distilled water), treatment 5= positive control a

commercial insecticide - King Ma Aerosol, is particularly used in this study.

Definition of Terms

For better understanding of the study, certain important terms used were given

their conceptual and operational meanings:

Periplaneta Americana- also known as American cockroach which is the largest

of common cockroach that is often considered as a pest in our homes that usually nests

in dark areas of our houses.

Dieffenbachia sp Plant- also known as dumb cane that is often grown as a

houseplant that prefers in places that has no direct sunlight. This plant has lots of

microscopic needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals that can be poisonous when

swollen.

Insecticide- toxic substance or pesticides that are formulated to kill, harm, repel

or mitigate one or more species of insects.

Crude extraction- process of getting a substance obtained from raw materials

that contain active ingredients.

Mortality- measure of the number of deaths in a particular population, scaled to

the size of that population, per unit of time.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This section will discuss the relevant literature connected with the study

regarding the efficacy of the Dieffenbachia sp plant extract as an insecticide in

controlling American cockroach. This part of the study accounts for the works that have

been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are among the most common pests in many homes and other

buildings. At night they search for food in kitchens, food storage places, rubbish bins,

drains and sewers. They are pests because of their filthy habits and bad smell. Some

people may become allergic to cockroaches after frequent exposure. Cock-roaches can

sometimes play a role as carriers of intestinal diseases, such diarrhea, dysentery,

typhoid fever and cholera. The Department of Entomology of Cornell Universty stated

that Cockroaches feed on a variety of foods, with a preference for starchy and sugary

material; they will sip milk, soda or beer left out or left in unrinsed bottles, nibble cheese,

feed on meats, pastry, grain products, sugar -- practically all the foods that we eat. They

will also feed freely on book bindings, sizing, inner linings of shoe soles, and dead

insects (IDL, 2012). They carry debris on their legs and bodies and may spread germs

and contaminate food and they also give off an offensive odor that may ruin food, or

may persist on dishes or other items the roaches walk across (Insect Diagnostic

Laboratory, 2017).
American Cockroach (Periplaneta Americana)

The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana(Linnaeus), is the largest of the

common peridomestic cockroaches measuring on average 4 cm in . The generic name

Periplaneta, which means to wander around, describes this Periplaneta species more

appropriately compared to the other members from this genus because not every

Periplaneta species is worldwide distributed. However, the specific name americana

may be misleading that this cockroach species originated from America. Evidences

show that it is of tropical Africa origin (Roth 1981 ).

The American cockroach is second only to the German cockroach in

abundance. Forty-seven species are included in the genus Periplaneta, none of which

are endemic to the US (Bell and Adiyodi 1981). The American cockroach (P.

americana) was introduced to the United States from Africa as early as 1625 (Bell and

Adiyodi 1981). The American cockroach has spread throughout the world by commerce.

It is found mainly in basements, sewers, steam tunnels, and drainage systems (Rust et

al. 1991). This cockroach is readily found in commercial and large buildings such as

restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and anywhere food is prepared and stored. The

American cockroach is rarely found in houses, however infestations can occur after

heavy rain. They can develop to enormous numbers, greater than 5,000 sometimes

being found in individual sewer manholes (Rust et al. 1991).Outdoors, American

cockroaches are found in moist, shady areas such as hollow trees, wood piles, and

mulch. They are occasionally found under roof shingles and in attics. The cockroaches

dwell outside, but will wander indoors to search for food and water or to avoid extreme
weather conditions. In Florida, areas such as trees, woodpiles, garbage facilities, and

accumulations of organic debris around homes provide adequate food, water, and

harbor-ages for peridomestic cockroaches such as the American cockroach

(Hagenbuch et al. 1988).

Mass migrations of the American cockroaches are common (Ebeling 1975). They

migrate into houses and apartments from sewers via the plumbing, and from trees and

shrubs located alongside buildings or with branches overhanging roofs. During the day

the American cockroach, which responds negatively to light, rests in harborages close

to water pipes, sinks, baths, and toilets where the microclimate is suitable for survival

(Bell and Adiyodi 1981).

Life Cycle

The American cockroach has three life stages: the egg, a variable number of

nymph and the adult. The life cycle from egg to adult averages about 600 days, and the

adult life span may be another 400 days. The nymphs emerge from the egg case after

about six to eight weeks and mature in about six to twelve months. Adults can live up to

one year and an adult female will produce an average of 150 young in her lifetime.

Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity affect the developmental time

of the American cockroach. Outdoors, the female shows a preference for moist,

concealed oviposition sites (Bell and Adiyodi 1981).

 Figure 1.Photograph of American cockroach life stages.

Dieffenbachia sp (Dumb Cane)

Dieffenbachia seguine, commonly called dumb cane, is a herbaceous plant

native from the Caribbean and South America that is widely cultivated as an

ornamental. The leaves are large and green and often with variegated white patterns.

Like other Dieffenbachia, the sap is very toxic. It has showy white flowers (Missouri

Botanic Garden, 2011).

The cells of the Dieffenbachia plant contain needle-shaped calcium oxalate

crystals called raphides. If a leaf is chewed, these crystals can cause a permanent

burning sensation and erythema (redness of the skin or mucous membrane). In rare

cases, edema (abnormal accumulation of fluid) of tissues exposed to the plant has been

reported.Mastication and indigestion generally result in only mild symptoms (Mrvos et

al., 1991).

With both children and pets, contact with Dieffenbachia (typically from chewing)

can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms including intense numbing, oral irritation,

excessive drooling, localized swelling and death. Primarily, it is employed for medicinal
and other medicinal miscellaneous uses (Bosch et al., 2002). The stem and root

extracts have been described as a narcotic , a gastric and kidney irritant and historically

used as arrow poisons by the West Indians in the new world (Cheney, 1931). It is

reported to be highly poisonous to humans and when brought into the eye, the sap can

cause injury of the cornea and all parts of the plant are very poisonous when ingested

(Ardittiaad, 1982).All parts of the plant are highly toxic to people and pets.

Figure 2.Picture of dumb cane.

Toxicity

Ingestions involving the Dieffenbachia plant from Arum family are associated with

the development of intense irritation of mucous membranes, resulting in swelling of the

tongue, lips and palate. Dieffenbachia causes severe local injury to the tissues due to

the oxalate crystals contained in the plant juice. In severe cases there may be even

airway compromise. Among 188 cases of toxic plant ingestions identified by Mrvos, et
al.(1991), the integrity of the leaf had been broken in all cases and dieffenbachias

accounted for 32.5% of the cases. Majority of the involved children were aged 4-12

months. Only 2.1% (4 cases, Dieffenbachia-3, Philodendron-1) of the patients were

severely symptomatic. In a series from Switzerland, Dieffenbachia poisoning accounted

for 11 cases with severe stomatitis in eight and corneal lesions in three patients

(Jaspersen-Schib et al., 1994).

When ingested, the common house plant dieffenbachia can lead to significant

toxicity and possibly death if timely medical attention is not forthcoming following initial

exposure. The deleterious effects should not be overlooked, especially when children

are involved who may bite into this innocuous looking plant (Jaspersen-Schib et al.,

1994). Based on the use of this plant for medicinal and ornamental purposes, the

present study was undertaken to evaluate the comprehensive acute toxicity in the

animal model and is reported hereunder.

Pesticide/Insecticide

Pesticides are synthetic or naturally-occurring chemicals used to target and

destroy harmful organisms. The goal of their use is to reduce or completely eliminate

pests, weeds and diseases (Sánchez-Bayo and Ortega, 2012). Pesticides can also

affect plant’s growth regulation. More than 1000 different pesticide formulations

containing substances with high biological activity are available. Pesticides play a

significant role in the quality and efficiency of agricultural production (Rodrigues Macedo

and Freire, 2011), they also impact the environment and unfortunately, not always in a

positive way (Bazok et al., 2012; Cardoso and Alves, 2012). The new pesticides are
systemic, meaning they can be taken up by the plants and animals and distributed

through their tissues without accumulating in any particular organ or structure (e.g., fatty

tissues) (Sánchez-Bayo and Ortega, 2012).Plant protection products exhibit high toxicity

toward targeted pests. Additionally, these substances should show short persistence in

the environment, a high susceptibility to degradation in such a way that after reaching

its destination these chemicals would quickly disappear from the soil, water and air

(Grosicka-Maciąg, 2011). Apart from targeted pests, pesticides affect surroundings and

organisms that live in the adjacent tissues interfering with the airway. Educating the

people about the toxicity of Dieffenbachia is crucial in view of the wide spread indoor

use of this ornamental plant.

Negative Effects of Insecticide

Insecticides cause the greatest number of pesticide poisonings in the United

States. The most serious pesticide poisonings usually result from acute exposure to

organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. Organophosphate insecticides include

chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate, disulfoton, malathion, methyl parathion, and ethyl

parathion. The carbamate compounds include carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl, and

oxamyl. Organophosphates and carbamates inhibit the enzyme cholinesterase, causing

a disruption of the nervous system. All life forms with cholinesterase in their nervous

system, such as insects, fish, birds, humans, and other mammals, can be poisoned by

these chemicals. In understanding how the organophosphate and carbamate

insecticides affect the nervous system, one needs to understand how the nervous

system actually works. The nervous system, which includes the brain, is the most
complex system in the body consisting of millions of cells that make up a

communications system within the organism. Messages or electrical impulses (stimuli)

travel along diarrhea appear early if the material has been ingested. Similarly,

salivation, headache, dizziness, and excessive secretions that cause breathing

difficulties are initial symptoms if the material has been inhaled. Involvement of the

respiratory muscles can result in respiratory failure. Stomach, intestinal, and respiratory

symptoms usually appear at the same time if the pesticide is absorbed through the skin.

In children, the first symptom of poisoning may be a convulsion. In advanced

poisonings, the victim is pale, sweating, and frothing at the mouth. The pupils are

constricted and unresponsive to light. Other symptoms include changes in heart rate,

muscle weakness, mental confusion, convulsions, and/or coma. The victim may die if

not treated.
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This section describes in sufficient detail the procedures that will be employed in

the research so it can be evaluated and repeated if necessary. This chapter presents

the locale of the study, data gathering instrument, data gathering procedure, research

design, and the sample treatment that will be used in the study.

Locale of the Study

This study will be conducted at Pedro’s residence located at Poblacion,

Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.

Cockroach Sampling

The collection of the cockroaches will be done through trapping and picking

method before the treatment.

Five different treatments will be established: The 10% concentration will be the

first treatment, the 30% concentration is the second treatment, the 50% concentration

will the third treatment, the distilled water will be the fourth treatment which will served
as negative control, and the commercial insecticide will be the fifth treatment which will

served as positive control.

Collection and Preparation of Raw Materials

Dieffenbachia sp Leaves will be collected in Poblacion, Esperanza, Sultan

Kudarat. Dieffenbachia sp leaves will be washed with tap water and rinsed with distilled

water after being collected. For 168 hours, the plant samples will be been sun-dried. (I

doubt this ) (Jabilles et al., 2015).

Preparation of the Extract

Around 100g of dried Leaves of Dieffenbachia will be weighed using the

analytical balance; the leaves will be cut into smaller pieces. Pieces of Dieffenbachia sp

leaves will then be soaked in 100ml of distilled water. The mixture will be set aside for

24 hours. The soaked small pieces of leaves will be bathed with water. The mixture was

filtered in modified way and served as the crude extract.

Research Design

This study utilized an experimental method in collection and preparation of raw

materials, extraction of Dieffenbachia sp leaves, formulation of insecticide, and

determination of the mortality effect to the American Cockroach (Figure 3).

Collection and Preparation of

Dieffenbachia p. Leaves
 Crude Extraction (Distilled Water)

Formulation of Insecticide

Test against American Cockroach

10% Crude 30% Crude 50% Crude

Extract + 90% Extract + 70% Extract + 50%
Distilled Water Distilled Water Distilled Water

Figure 4: Experimental Design

Sample Treatment

The concentration of the Dieffenbachia sp insecticide will be prepared into three

concentrations; 10%, 30%, and 50% of the aqueous crude extract. Distilled water will

then be used in preparing all concentrations. The 10% will be prepared by dissolving

10.0 g of crude extract in 90.0 mL of distilled water. The 30% will also be prepared by

dissolving 30.0 g crude extract in 70.0 mL of distilled water. The 50% will also be

prepared by dissolving 50.0 g crude extract in 50.0 mL of distilled water.

 Three trials will be done and the treatments were sprayed separately in each trial

with the use of sprayer and the treatment will be administered three times. The effects

of the treatments will be observed 24 hours (Guevara, 2005).

Data Analysis

The data from the mortality rate of the different concentration of Dieffenbachia sp

(DUMB CANE) EXTRACT AGAINST Periplaneta americana (AMERICAN

COCKROACH) will be gathered and recorded using mortality table. Each of the five

concentrations treatments including the negative control and the positivevcontrol will

have three(3) trials. The mortality rate for each of the concentrations will used time

interval table that will show efficacy of Dieffenbachia sp. Against the test subject, that

will include and record the time interval in which the test subjects P. americana

cockroach that have died per time interval.

Statistical Treatment

The comparison of the efficacy of the five(5) different concentration treatments of

the dieffenbachia sp. Extract against P. Americana cockroach as test subjects will be

compared using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

 LITERATURE CITED

Ajero CMU, Ukaga CN, Ebirim C (2011). The role of cockroaches in mechanical

transmission of parasites in households in Oweri, South East Nigeria. Nig. J. of

Parasitol. 32(2): 153-156.

Al-Mayali HMH, Al-Yaqoobi MSM (2010). Parasites of cockroach Periplaneta

americana (L) in Al-Diwaniya Provinve. Irag J. Thi-Qar Sci. 2(3).

Appel AG. 1997. Nonchemical approaches to cockroach control. Journal of Economic

Encomology 14: 271-280.Baldwin RW, Koehler PG. 2007.

Ardittiaad, J and Rodrigueza, E. (1982). Dieffenbachia uses abuses and

toxicconstituents. A Review Journal of Ethno Pharmacology. Pp 293-302.

Bazok R, Ceranić-Sertić M, Igrc Barcić J, Barosić J, Kozina A, Kos T, et al.

Seasonal flight, optimal timing and effocacy of selected insecticides for cabbage maggot

(Delia radicum L., Diptera: Anthomyiidae) control. Insects 3: 1001-1027, 2012.

Bell WJ, Adiyodi KG. 1981. The American Cockroach. Chapman and Hall,

London.Grosicka-Maciąg E. Biological consequences of oxidative stress induced by

pesticides. Postepy Hig. Med. Dosw. 65: 357-366, 2011

Florida Entomologist 90: 703-709.Bell, WJ and KG Adiyodi. 1981. Toxicity of

commer-cially available household cleaners on cockroaches, Blattellagermanica and

Periplaneta americana. The American cockroach. Chapman and Hall, London

Kassiri H, Kazemi S (2012). Cockroach [Periplaneta americana (L), Dictyoptera:

Blattidae] as carriers of Bacterial pathogens, Khorramshahr country, Iran, Jundishaper

J. Microbiol. 5(1): 320-

Macedo MLR, Freire M das GM. Insect digestive enzymes as a target for pest control.

Inv. Surv. J. 8: 190-198, 2011.

Mrvos R, Dean BS, Krenzelok EP. Philodendron/ dieffenbachia ingestions: are they a

problem? J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1991;29:485-91

Sánchez-Bayo F, Ortega R. Special issue on toxicology of pesticides. J. Environ. Anal.

Toxicol. S:4, 2012

Uckay I, Sax H, Longet-Di Pietro S, Baur H, Boulch’h MF, Akakpo C. (2009).

Cockroaches Enterobius vermicularis in an intensive unit, Switzerland. Emerg. infect

Dis., 15(3): 496-7.

WHO, Pesticides and their application, for the control of vectors and pests of public

health importance. Six edition WHO, 2006.