Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever wondered how we can reuse the unused crops?

Can these crops make certain products? What are these

products? Okra can be considered as the most disgusting food

due to its characteristics. Is it possible to create a

dishwashing liquid out of okra?

Families have different favorites especially when it

comes to foods. Many people dislike okra because the inside of

it is slimy and they usually associate it with phlegm so they

throw it away or they feed it to animals which result to

wasting money and rottening of okra. Because of these, the

researchers chose to make okra as a dishwashing liquid.

In this study, the main ingredients that will be used are

okra, borax, and essential oil. The researchers’ first

ingredient is okra. Its scientific name is Abelmochus

esculentus moench also known as bamia or lady fingers.

Okra is one of the popular vegetables of Northeast African

Origin. It is typically cultivated in tropical and warm

temperate regions in the world. It grows best in well-drained

and manure-rich soil. Despite of being slimy and sticky, it

has anti-bacterial property from lipid fraction, and stearic

acid which helps remove dirt and it is responsible in killing

bacteria.
 Another ingredient is borax. Borax consists of soft

colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water. Borax has

many uses. It is used as a component of detergents, and

cosmetics. It also makes the product foamy like soap,

detergent powder, dishwashing liquid, etc. In addition, this

will make the dishwashing liquid foamy and helps to preserve

the okra.

Last ingredient is the dalandan peelings. Dalandan

peelings is use to provide scent to the product.

This study aims to produce an acceptable dishwashing

liquid out of okra in terms of color and transparency,

texture, and odor. This also aims to produce an effective

dishwashing liquid in terms of amount of foam produced,

removing grease, odor and texture. The researchers will also

compare the dishwashing liquid to the commercial one in terms

of being frothy, removing grease, price and odor.

This study will give us information that okra can be made

into a dishwashing liquid because of its natural anti-

bacterial property and availability.

Objectives of the Study

1.  To determine the acceptability of the dishwashing liquid

out of okra in terms of:

a. color

b. texture

c. odor

2. To determine the effectiveness of the dishwashing liquid

out of okra in terms of:

a. the amount of foam produced

b. removing grease

c. Odor

d. texture

3. To compare the dishwashing liquid out of okra to the

commercial one in terms of:

a. being frothy

b. removing grease

c. price

d. Odor

Significance of the Study

This study aims to produce a dishwashing liquid out of

okra. Also this study will benefit the following:

Okra Farmers. This study will benefit the okra farmers

because the manufacturers of the dishwashing liquid made from

okra will buy their okras that can give them a high profit. 
 Householders. This study will benefit the householders

because they commonly use dishwashing liquid. Therefore, they

can save more money because the dishwashing liquid is more

affordable than the commercial one.

Restaurant Owners. This study will benefit the restaurant

owners because the utensils that the customers will use are

clean so that no one would complain to the owner of the

restaurant. Also, the restaurant will be known because of its

good sanitation. They can also save money because the

dishwashing liquid is more affordable because you can buy it

in a low price and the ingredients of the dishwashing liquid

are available anywhere.

Department of Agriculture (DA). This study will benefit

the Department of Agriculture (DA) because they can gain more

knowledge about okra especially its use as a dishwashing

liquid. They can also inform the farmers about the okra that

it has a natural anti-bacterial property and encourage other

people to plant more okra.

Dishwashing Liquid Manufacturers. This study will benefit

the dishwashing liquid manufacturers because if they buy the

researchers’ product and if it will be released in the market,

there is a possibility that it could be sold instantly.

Therefore, their income will increase.

 Future Researchers. This study will benefit the future

researchers because they can relate their future study with

the researchers’ study. They can gather information from this

research and they can be guided on the things that they should

do in order to successfully accomplish their study.

Scope and Limitation

The study will focus on making a dishwashing liquid out

of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). The setting of this research

will be at Sipocot National High School, Tara, Sipocot,

Camarines Sur. The respondents are the students from Grade 7-

JA. From the 57 students, only 50 students will be included in

the study. The researchers will not submit the product for

laboratory testing.
 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter introduces and presents a review of related

literature and related studies bearing upon the present

pursuit of knowledge. The clear understanding and ideas

procured from this review provided the researchers useful and

worthy insights to uphold and support the present

investigation.

Related Literature

Based from the article about borax (2012), borax is also

known as sodium borate and an important boron compound, a

mineral and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder

consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in

water. Borax has a wide variety of uses. It is a compound of

many detergents, cosmetics, and enamel glazes. Borax first

come into common users in the late 19th century when Francis

Smith’s Pacific Coast Borax Company began to market and

popularize a large variety of applications under the famous 20

Mule Team Borax trademark, named for the method by which borax

was originally hauled out of California and Nevada deserts in

large enough quantities to make it cheap and commonly

available.

This article about borax is related to the present study

because the researchers will use borax as one of the

ingredients in making a dishwashing liquid. This article is

also related because the researchers knew that borax is a

component of many detergents that is why they chose borax to

be one of the ingredients that will be used for the

experiment.

Based from the article entitled okra (Abelmoschus

esculentus moench, hibiscus esculintis Linn. (2011), okra

(Abelmoschus esculentus), known in many English-speaking

countries as lady fingers, is a flowering plant in the mallow

family. Okra is one of the popular vegetables of Northeast

African Origin. It is typically cultivated in tropical and

warm temperate regions in the world. It grows best in well-

drained and manure-rich soil. Okra fruit is valued as

vegetable, harvested while young and has mucus-like juice that

is used to thicken stews. Okra is known for its nutritional

value and offers varieties of health benefits. Despite of

being slimy and sticky, it has an anti-bacterial property from

lipid fraction and stearic acid which is responsible in

killing bacteria. Okra can also be used as a medicine. It

also has a lot of benefits.

This article is related to the researchers’ present study

because the researchers will use okra as the main ingredient

of the dishwashing liquid. Also, this article is related to

the present study because the researchers knew that okra has
an anti-bacterial property which is responsible for killing

bacteria that is why the researchers chose okra to be the main

ingredient of their dishwashing liquid.

Based from the article by Hammer et. al (2008), about

okra, the antimicrobial activity written of plant oils and

extracts has been recognized for many years. However, few

investigations have compared large numbers of oils and

extracts using method that are directly comparable. In the

present study, 52 plant oils and extracts were investigated

for activity against Acinetobacter baumanii, Aeromomas veronii

biogroup sobria, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis,

Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus

aureus, using an agar dilution method. Lemongrass, oregano and

bay inhibited all organisms at concentrations of 2.0%. Six

oils did not inhibit any organisms at the highest

concentration, which was 2.0% oil for apricot kernel, evening

primrose, macadamia, pumpkin, sage and sweet almond. Variable

activity was recorded for the remaining oils. Twenty of the

plant oils and extracts were investigated, using a broth

microdilution method, for activity against Candida albicans

and E. coli and 0.008% vitiver oil against Staph. This results

support the notion that plant essential oils and extracts may

have a role as pharmaceuticals and preservatives.

 This article of Hammer, et. al about antimicrobial

activity of essential oils and other plant extracts is related

to the researchers' present study because the researchers will

use essential oils and okra extracts to kill bacteria. Also,

the article is related to the researchers' present study in

terms of how this essential oil helps improve the

antimicrobial property of the dishwashing liquid.

Based from the article published by Wikipedia, (2006),

dishwashing liquid is a detergent used to assist in dishwashing. It

is usually a highly-foaming mixture of surfactants with low skin

irritation and is primarily used for hand washing of glasses,

plates, cutlery, and cooking utensils. In addition to its primary

use, dishwashing liquid also has various informal applications such

as creating bubbles, clothes washing and cleaning oil-affected

birds. According to Reader's Digest, dishwashing liquid can kill

weeds, wash away ants, green the lawn, keep the room cool, clean the

blender, and lastly dishwashing liquid can also be used as a

shampoo.

This literature is related to the present study because the

present researchers will also make use of a dishwashing liquid and

this article gave more information on the other uses of dishwashing

liquid aside from washing plates and utensils. Dishwashing liquid

can also kill weeds, wash away ants, green the lawn, keep the room

cool, clean the blender, and lastly it can also be used as a

shampoo. This information will be a big help to the researchers

because if the present researchers inform the consumers about the

other uses of a dishwashing liquid, their finished product will be

sold and loved by the household consumers.

Based from the article about okra, okra grows in an elongated,

lantern shape vegetable. It is a fuzzy green colored and ribbed pod

that is approximately 2-7 inches in length. This vegetable is more

famously known by its rows of tiny seeds and slimy or sticky texture

when cut open. Okra is also known as bamia, bhindi, lady’s finger,

and gumbo. It is a member of the cotton (Mallow) family. Okra is

available either frozen or fresh. When buying fresh okra, make sure

that you select dry and firm okra. They should be medium to dark

green in color and blemish free. Fresh okra should be used the same

day that it was purchased or stored in a paper bag, in the warmest

part of the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Severe cold temperatures will

speed up okra decay. Do not wash the okra pods until ready to use,

or it will become slimy.

This article is related to the present study because the

present researchers will use okra as the study’s main ingredient.

Based from the researchers, okra decays fast if exposed in cold

temperatures therefore, the researchers will experiment in a warm

place. The researchers will buy fresh okra and they should use it on

the same day. If the researchers use it on some other day, they can

store it in a paper bag to avoid decaying. Also, the researchers

should wash the okra to become slimy.

 Based from the article conducted by Danburry et. al (1993),

essential oils are aromatic substances produced by a certain plant.

Most of these oils that have been extracted and concentrated are

used in perfumes and food flavourings. They are called essential

oils because it was thought that each oil represents the plant from

which they are obtained. Essential oils are mixture of organic

compounds, primarily terpenes. There are 200 commercial essential

oils that are obtained from oil-bearing leaves, flowers, barks,

seeds, or woods of the aromatic plants. The common method used to

extract the essential oil is using steam distillation. Thru this

method, the hot steam is passed over the plant tissue, the volatile

compounds evaporate and then they condense.

The article from Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge about

essential oil is related to the researchers’ present study because

the researchers will use essential oil to give the dishwashing

liquid out of okra a good odor. Also, the researchers can get the

essential oil from oil-bearing bark and can use steam-distillation

process to obtain the essential oil.

Related Studies

The study conducted by Zaharuddin, et. al. (2014), is

about the use of Hibiscus esculentus (Okra) Gum in sustaining

the release of Propranolol Hydrochloride in a solid oral

dosage form. The effectiveness of okra gum in sustaining the

release of Propranolol Hydrochloride in a tablet was studied.

Okra gum was extracted from the pods of Hibiscus Esculentus

using acetone as a drying agent. Dried okra gum was made into

powder form and its physical and chemical characteristics such

as solubility, pH, moisture content, viscosity, and morphology

were studied using SEM. Infrared study using DSC and TGA were

carried out. The powder was used in the preparation of tablet

using granulation and compression methods. The researchers use

Okra Gum in sustaining the release of Propranolol

Hydrochloride in a solid dosage form.

The materials and methods were okra fruits obtained from

the local market. Propranolol Hydrochloride was a gift sample

form Prima Interchem Malaysia. In the extraction of Okra Gum

the method was modified based on the procedure by Tavakoli et

al, one kilogram of unripe and tender okra fruits (pod) was

obtained from the local market. The seeds were removed as they

do not contain any mucilage. The fruits were washed and sliced

thinly with a knife. The sliced mass was soaked in distilled

water overnight to extract out the mucilage. After soaking, a

white muslin cloth was used to filter out the viscous gum

extract. Acetone was added to precipitate the gum at a ratio

of 3 parts of acetone to 1 part of the gum extract. The

moisture content of Okra Gum powder was conducted by measuring

100 mg of powder using Mettler Toledo HR73 Halogen Moisture

Analyzer with loss on drying at 105 degree Celsius. The

results using the described technique was employed since

slicing okra produced a higher amount of gum solute after 24

hours of homogenization. Acetone was used as drying agent as

it is able to separate out the gum from its solute while

preserving its main function as a hydrophilic binder.

Characterization of the extracted okra gum was performed to

determine the physical and chemical attributes of the

polymers.

This study of Zaharuddin, et. al, is related to the

present study because this study shows the materials and

methods on soaking the sliced mass in distilled water and

after soaking, a white muslin cloth are used to filter out the

viscous gum extract. This study would help the researchers to

come up with a successful experiment and will serve as their

guide.

Based from the study conducted by Colman, et. al. (2013),

this study focuses on the history of dishwashing liquid and

the health and cleaning benefits of oranges, primarily the

uses of their peels. Considering the rapid growth of

biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes in the country, one

should be aware of the possible benefits of potentially useful

materials by recycling.

The study aims to make a dishwashing liquid from orange

peels. People usually use commercially produced dishwashing

liquids to clean their kitchen and eating utensils yet the

possible effects of such products on their health –

considering they contain a lot of chemicals – are unclear to

them. The researchers used orange peels, white vinegar, tea

tree oil, and soap for this study. They took the skin off of

the oranges, heated the peels with water, and strained them

out afterwards. Next, they put the mixture in a bowl and added

white vinegar and tea tree oil. They left the mixture for 1

day. The results were: Suds appear when mixed or when put on a

sponge; Scent of the orange peels is dominant; Yellowish-white

in color; and it can actually clean. This study aims to

discover the potential of orange peels as an organic and all-

natural that is chemical free and environment-friendly.

Through this study, one would be aware of the potential of

otherwise be thrown away materials like peels of fruit like

those in oranges and the importance of using organic products

in cleaning utensils and other things.

This study by Colman is related to the present study in a

way that it will guide the researchers on how to make a

dishwashing liquid using an organic and all natural

ingredient. The materials and procedures of this study will be

a big help for the researchers to have a successful

experiment.
 Based from the study conducted by Shruti et. al. (2011),

bacteria are naturally everywhere: in the water we drink; air

we breathe, in our skin; and inside our body. However, they

are not visible to the naked eyes. Tiny organisms like

bacteria can only be examined under a compound light

microscope. The structure or morphology of bacteria cells

include the shape, size and morphological arrangement. The

best way to utilize study guide is to understand the

characteristics by description and be familiar with the visual

representation. Bacteria are one-celled microorganisms or

unicellular microspic living organisms. They are the smallest

organisms which have all the needed protoplasmic equipment for

self- multiplication and growth. They are classified as

prokaryotes because the cell does not contain a nucleus. One

hundred and sixty samples of open air of kitchens and living

rooms were collected from Panipat district and its surrounding

villages between July to September 2009. In this study, the

researchers randomly selected four villages from rural areas

and four urban sites. One hundred sixty air samples from 80

homes were collected for bacteriological analysis from 40

homes (kitchens and living rooms) in each of the rural and

urban areas. After incubation at 30°C to 34°C for 24 hours,

these were analyzed by morphological or biochemical methods. A

total of 160 samples from 80 homes (40 kitchens and 40 living

rooms if each rural and urban area) were collected and

analyzed for bacterial contamination and their comparisons.

Samples obtained from rural and urban kitchens from near

dustbins, sink, washing-up areas, food shelf, cutlery and

crockery, refrigerator, vegetables racks, floor, back side of

door and near gas cylinder. The comparison between kitchen vs.

kitchen of both rural and urban areas formed that more

contaminated kitchens are found in rural areas with pathogenic

virulent bacteria as compared to urban kitchens.

This study of Shruti, et. al. is related to the present

study in a way that it can open the mind of the household

consumers about the bacteria that they can get from other

materials particularly those found in the kitchen. Also, this

study is related to the researchers' present study in terms of

the bacteria present in the sink, food shelf, washing-up

areas, vegetable racks, cutlery and back side of door and near

gas cylinder which are all located in the kitchen. As we found

out in the other literatures that okra contains an

antibacterial property that can kill those bacteria that can

contaminate utensils found in the kitchen. The dishwashing

liquid to be done by the present researchers may help lessen

the microorganisms and may protect their consumers from

possible related problems.

 Based from the study conducted by Gecale et. al. (2008),

the study focuses on how citric acid can be used as an

additive component for an eco-friendly detergent that is

commonly found in citrus fruits like lemons and to know how

effective citric acid is in getting rid of dirt and stain in

clothes.

The researcher aims to produce a liquid detergent having

citric acid as an ingredient so that it will be more eco-

friendly compared to those chemically processed detergent. The

process in making the liquid detergent was quite difficult but

simple. First, prepare all the materials needed. Second, get

the citric acid from the orange fruit. Next, mix the citric

acid with borax, salt and washing soda in one jar. After

which, set aside the solution. The aspect of this study is

about using citric acid as an additive compound for a liquid

detergent in order to remove dirt in clothes in an

uncomplicated way. It is made out of citric acid, salts, borax

and a little detergent powder. Therefore, it is safer to use

than some commercial cleansing agent, but it is not highly

recommended to be used as a universal liquid detergent since

it only eliminates agents in our homes. The data and

observation gathered clearly states that the citric acid from

the orange fruit is environment-friendly and effective in

getting rid of dirt and stain. Therefore, the researchers

highly recommend that having citric acid as an ingredient in

making a liquid detergent is effective in washing clothes. In

addition, the researchers conducted this study because they

want to make an inexpensive detergent powder because currently

market do not have an eco-friendly product and at the same

time a budget-friendly cleansing agent. This study is made to

help families find all possible ways to lessen their expenses

by making their own liquid detergent.

This study is related to the present study because one of

the materials they have used for making an eco-friendly

detergent is borax which is the same as the materials that

will be used for the present study. It will also be very

helpful to make a quite difficult but simple dishwashing

liquid out of okra because the process in making an eco-

friendly detergent which is mixing of borax with citric acid,

salt and washing soda in one jar, will serve as a guide in

making a good and quality product.

Based from the study conducted by Pineda, et. al. (2011),

entitled “Gumamela Petals as Dishwashing Liquid”, washing

dishes is one of the major house chores parents are facing

everyday. One of the hardest part of washing dishes are the

tough stains and grease that is all over the common kitchen

tools we use in the kitchen and it totally removes all the

dirt of common of kitchen tools. This study shows how a simple

organic material that can be easily found elsewhere can be

turned into something as useful as dishwashing liquid. This

study will make use of gumamela petals which contains mucilage

that effectively removes stains or grease present in common

kitchen tools. The study will produce a new kind of

dishwashing liquid that is completely organic. It will make

use of gumamela petals mixed with water and calamansi extract

to produce a dishwashing liquid that is chemical free yet

effective in removing stain or grease present in common

kitchen tools at the most affordable price compared to the

commercial brand sold in the market. The dishwashing liquid

will be making use of gumamela petals which are being ignored

if not used as an ornament. So, this will help people not to

waste the gumamela petals and make it more useful and

essential. The researchers made these flowers into jelly. The

researchers, first, washed the flowers. Next, getting the

extract and then the researchers put the flowers extract to

the sauce pan. Mixed the sugar and lemon juice to the extract

and boiled the mixture. After, it was removed from heat,

quickly skimmed-off and poured into sterilized, half pint and

leave one-fourth inch head space. The product was evaluated

and compared to a commercial product. Based on the results,

together with the panelists, they do not much approve for the
product to be called jelly. The researcher does believe that

the extract of Hibiscus flower is suitable in making a jelly.

During the experiment, miscalculation occurred that led the

product into a failure. The product still needs an

improvement. The researcher would like to recommend that in

making this product be accurate in measuring the amount of

substances that are needed to comply in making a jelly. Proper

proportion and amount of substances needed in making a

research work.

This study of Pineda, et.al is related to the present

study in terms of removing stains. It is affordable compared

to the commercial brand sold in the market. Also, in the

present study, okra is the main ingredient which are being

ignored same with gumamela that are used in the previous

study. Both materials were utilized to produce a dishwashing

liquid. They made flowers into a jelly. The present study will

use borax and dalandan peelings to produce a dishwashing

liquid.

Based from the study conducted by Mohammad, et. al.

(2007), as in the recent years, the usage of herbal plants has

been increased. There is a study that these plants contain

anti-bacterial property. The past researcher used basil herb

as their source of essential oil. Basil herb is easily

cultured worldwide and a good candidate to be used as an

antibacterial. The essential oil of basil herb was distilled

using a Clevenger type apparatus. The anti-bacterial

properties of basil essential oil were studied at the

standard-gram-negative bacteria and uses Escherichia coli,

Pseudomonas, Aeruginosa, and a gram-positive ones including

Bacillus ceus, and Staphylococcus aureus. The results of this

study showed the presence of bacteriostatic effects of basil

essential oil on all the test bacteria. The MICs for gram-

positive bacteria were as: B. cereus ranging 36-18 µg/mL, S.

aureus 18 µg/mL, and for Gram-negative bacteria of E. coli and

P. aeruginosa were 18-9 µg/mL.

In the materials and methodology, the researcher gathered

the aerial parts of the basil herb at the beginning of its

flowering stage and it was collected during summer from July

to August with the distance of 10 cm of the stems from the

soil. The plant has been dried in a cool shadowy and in the

temperature of the room. To get the essential oil, the past

researchers put the 50g of plant material with 250 ml water in

a Clevenger type apparatus, and it was isolated by hydro

distillation for 3 hours. After the essential oil was

gathered, it was stored under argon in a seal vial, at -20⁰C

before it was used.

This study is related to the researchers’ present study

because the researchers can make an improvised apparatus just

like the Clevenger type apparatus in-order to achieve the one

of the objectives which is the price. Also the researchers can

use the basil herb as source of essential oil for the

dishwashing liquid out of okra. The article also gave

information that the researchers should use a fresh plant

material and dry it up in a cool shadowy and low temperature

before extracting. The researcher may also use the procedure

in extracting the essential oil of the Clevenger type

apparatus to the improvise ones.

Definition of Terms

For better understanding of the study, important terms

are operationally and conceptually defined.

Color. Color is defined as a quality that you see when

you look at something. In this study, the researchers look for

the acceptability of the color when okra is used as a

dishwashing liquid. The target color of this study is green.

Dishwashing Liquid. Dishwashing liquid is primarily used

for hand washing of glasses, plates, cooking utensils and

cutlery. In this study, the researchers will make a

dishwashing liquid out of okra. The target dishwashing liquid

should be effective and acceptable.

Frothy. Frothy is characterize by being, covered in, or

producing bubbles. In this study, frothy refers to the amount

of bubbles produced from the dishwashing liquid out of okra.

It is one of the basis in determining the effectiveness of the

product. To know I the researchers product is effective, the

dishwashing liquid out of okra should produce more bubbles.

Odor. Odor is defined as a particular smell. In this

study, the researchers will determine the acceptability of the

odor. The odor should be not light and not too strong instead

of being accurate when okra is used as a dishwashing liquid.

Price. Price is defined as a value that will purchase a

finite quantity, weight, or other measure of a good or

service. In this study, price refers to a value that will

purchase a finite quantity that our product have and to have

basis in comparing to the commercial one. To know if the

researchers product are existing.

Texture. Texture refers to the visual characteristics and

appearance of something. In this study, texture refers to the

quality of dishwashing liquid. It should be like a condensed

milk.