MANDAUE CITY COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Plaridel St., Centro, Mandaue City

Life Science

Science Investigatory Project Proposal

“Effectiveness of Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis) Peel In Purifying Used
Cooking Oil”

Submitted by:
Mahusay, Jerry Jr. L.
Murphy, John Aaron G.
Sedillo, Ruscel Anne Mytch
Villanueva, Nina Ejie B.

Submitted to:
Caril Bridgette M. Camaso
 TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER I: The Problem and Its Background
Introduction……..…………...……….………………………………………………….1
Background of the Study……………………………………………………………….2
Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………………...2
Hypothesis…………………………………………………………………………….…3
Significance of the Study……………………………………………………………….3
Scope and Limitation of the Study…………………………………………………….4
Conceptual Framework…………………………………………………………………5
Definition of Terms………………………………………………………………………5
CHAPTER 2: Review of Related Literature and Studies…………………….….7
CHAPTER 3: Materials and Methods
Research Method…………………………………………………………...…………11
Materials & Equipment………………………………………………………………..11
Procedure………………………………………………………………………………12
Evaluation of Products…………………………………………………………….….13
Statistical Treatment…………………………………………..……………...………14
Schedule of Activities…………………………………………………………………15
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………16
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CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

“Stink “, “dark”, and “polluted” are words that will be uttered anytime

a person or group walks past the open sewerage area. The techniques through

which establishments such as restaurants and households dispose of their

wasted cooking oil by pouring it down the drain, pose a threat not only to the

environment but also to the community. Even in small amounts, these wasted

oils can have minimal to severe effects. The discarded cooking oil from these

establishments can contaminate the sewage system. In the Philippines, the pipes

leading from the kitchen sinks off residential houses as well as those leading

from restaurants and other eating establishments, are directly flushed into the

community’s open canal. People are unaware that used oil or grease when it

cools and solidifies, can cause the drainage systems to get clogged, which can

then lead to floods during periods of severe precipitation. Due to these problems,

the researchers have decided to utilize orange peel in purifying used cooking oil.

The orange peel contains chemicals that we can use for filtration or purification,

such as water and cooking oil purification. Orange peel has the properties to

produce activated carbon, a substance that can be used as an absorbent to

remove organic compounds and/or toxins from the natural environment, which in

this case is used cooking oil.

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Background of the Study

Orange is one of the most common and popular fruits in the world

and here in the Philippines. But orange peels are usually removed and discarded

before eating the fruit. But this "trash" is widely used in different fields like

cosmetics, cleaning agents and medicines, and health benefits.

Cooking is a vital part of our daily life, especially if there are

occasions when the foods and delicacies are usually cooked using oils. However,

there are instances that when cooking there is excess oil use and in response,

people will save and reuse it, but reusing the oil affects its quality. In other cases,

some people would throw it and it had a harmful effect on the environment.

In response to this specific situation, researchers devised a method

to purify and recycle used cooking oil using orange peel. This study aims to

determine if orange peel is effective in purifying used-cooking oil.

Statement of the Problem

The main problem of this study is to determine the effectiveness of

orange peel in purifying used cooking oil especially, it attempts to answer the

following questions:
 1. What is the quality of the purified and unpurified used cooking oil
3
in terms of:

1.1 Color

1.2 Viscosity

2. In terms of the time it takes to reach a certain temperature, how

efficient is purified used cooking oil in comparison to unpurified used cooking oil?

3. What is the significant difference between purified used cooking

oil and unpurified cooking oil in terms of the time it takes to a certain

temperature?

Hypothesis

Based on the foregoing research question identified, the

researchers formulated the following null hypothesis

H0 = There is no significant difference between purified and

unpurified used cooking oil in terms of the time it takes to reach 160 °C.

Significance of the Study

Along with the researchers, the following people can gain from this

research in addition to the researchers:

Environment. This study has the potential to assist in lowering the risk of

flooding near residential areas, restaurants, or other food establishments that

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dispose of their used cooking oils in sewers.

Household owners. This research encourages homeowners to recycle their old

cooking oil rather than throwing it away or purchasing new containers of it.

Future researchers. Future researchers may find this study useful in generating

concepts for the purification of used cooking oil.

Scope and limitations

This study will focus on testing the effectiveness of orange peel in

purifying used cooking oil, by considering the color, viscosity, and the time it

takes to reach a certain temperature.

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Conceptual Framework

This section shows the conceptual framework of this study.

Figure 1.

It shows the relationship between the variables. The Independent Variable is the

time duration of frying the orange peel. The Dependent Variable is the effect of

the orange peel and the quality of the cooking oil. While in the process the

researchers need to heat, strain, filter, cool, and store to come up with purified

used cooking oil. The product was evaluated based on its color, viscosity, and

time.
Definition of Terms

For better clarification and understanding of the terms related to this

6
study, the following terms are defined conceptually and operationally.

Oil. Any numerous unctuous combustible substances that are liquid

or can be liquified easily on warming, are soluble in ether but not in the water,

and leave a greasy stain on paper or cloth.

Purify. Remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and

separate through the process of distillation.

Purification. The physical or chemical process of removing

contaminants from a compound. The physical processes may include

sublimation, distillation, filtration, crystallization, or extraction.

Viscosity. The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to

deformation at a given rate. For liquids, it corresponds to the informal concept of

“thickness”: for example, syrup has a higher viscosity than water.

Activated Carbon. Activated carbon is an absorbent used to

remove chemicals aand toxins to purify liquids and gases in a variety of

applications.
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CHAPTER II
Related Literature and Related Studies

Cooking oils are often produced from the seeds, kernels, or mesocarp of

plant fruits. Before being marketed as a golden yellow liquid product, the initial

crude forms of the oils are typical, refined, bleached, and deodorized. This is the

color that most consumers prefer. However, repetitive use of cooking oil causes

impurities to its quality and so the researchers have devised a method to prevent

impurity of the oil. (Mahenderan, et. al, 2019)

The researcher of this specific study restored used cooking oil acquired

from restaurants where extensive use of oil for deep-frying was repetitive. In this

project, three plant components were utilized: ginger, which has protease ions

used for purification processes by breaking protein peptide bonds, and citrus

peels, which have citric acid to chelate metal ions that may catalyze peroxide

formation. Banana peels were also used to create activated carbons because

they could absorb peroxide and increase the brightness of used cooking oil.

(Condez, 2017)
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In Sleman, Yogyakarta, one of the tiny enterprises that specialize in

producing snake fruit chips is Crystal. Young pineapple is utilized as an

adsorbent in this industry to purify used cooking oil. The industry, however, was

unaware of the optimal conditions for their adsorbent during the purifying

process. The goal of this study is to identify the ideal combination of control

factors that have the least negative impact on the quality of spent cooking oil.

The following are the four controlling variables: processing time, temperature, air

pressure, and pineapple slice thickness. The results showed that 88°C Cooking

temperature, 70 minutes of processing time, 72mmHg atmospheric pressure, and

a pineapple thickness of 4 mm were the ideal conditions for using young

pineapple as an adsorbent in used oil purification. (Muhammad, et. al., 2020)

According to S. Miskah, et. al., (2019), Durian peel can be utilized as a

source material for carbon adsorbents in the purification of spent cooking oil due

to its high cellulose content, which ranges from 50% to 60%. The Durian Peel

goes through a carbonization process”. In the study, contact periods of 30, 60,

90, 120, and 150 minutes were used, with an adsorbent weight of 6 grams. After

150 minutes of contact time, the greatest results were attained: 0.41 meq O2/kg

peroxide value, 0.9022 gr/ml density, and 0.0637% free fatty acid, respectively.

Orange peel is one of the most common waste products that is utilized as

a predecessor for the manufacture of activated carbons. The waste orange peels

are converted into activated carbon, which is then utilized as an absorbent to

remove organic pollutants from the environment. (Kaminska, et. al, 2021)
 Orange peels have been utilized in the adsorption process and are known

as an agro-industrial residue having adsorptive qualities. Orange peel and pulp is

an orange residue and is mostly composed of cellulose, pectin (galacturonic

acid), hemicelluloses, lignin, chlorophyll pigments, and other low molecular

weight compounds, including limonene. (S. Dey, S.R. Basha, G.V. Babu, ang T.
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Nagendra, 2021)

According to Santos, et. al., (2021). “The primary uses of activated carbon

or activated charcoal are the separation of gas mixtures and the purification of

liquids like water, oil, and others. Activated carbon distinguishes itself from other

adsorbents by having "pores" or gaps in the size of molecules that are contained

by carbon atoms. This capability results from the strong van der Waals forces

that the pores exhibit because of the proximity of carbon atoms. According to

current studies, only a few materials, including coal, rice husks, peat, wood, fruit

stones, nut shells, coconut shells, and banana peelings, can be used to make

activated carbon.”. (Santos et.al., 2021)

Activated carbon or activated charcoal is a porous element that traps

compounds, mainly organic, present in a gas or liquid. It does so with such

effectiveness that it is the most widely used purifying agent by humans. Activated

carbon is an adsorption medium, its function is to adsorb organic molecules in its

micropores. It is activated using thermal or chemical processes to extend its

adsorption capacity. (Kaminska, et. al, 2021)

96% of edible oils are triacylglycerides, which are made up of several fatty

acids. Other chemicals or groupings of compounds identified include free fatty

acids, phospholipids, phytosterols, tocopherols, other antioxidants, and waxes.
10
(Syed, 2016)

One of the major factors in the deterioration of our environment is the

improper disposal of used cooking oil. Used Cooking oil is usually reused or

disposed of, and in either of this case, it will be harmful to our health and

environment. Used Cooking oil is not recommended for consumption because it

converts into trans-fat after repeated use and dumping it carelessly into drains or

sewers can have negative environmental effects. (Sharma, 2019)

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CHAPTER III
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Research Method

The experimental method will be utilized in this study, by collecting of

numerical data and the application of statistical, mathematical, or computational

tools are the two main components of what is known as Quantitative Research,

which can be defined as a systematic inquiry into a phenomenon. Quantitative

Research is to learn new things and improve our comprehension of the world

around us. Quantitative methods are used by social scientists, especially those

researching communication’s consequences. Studying a statistically significant

subset of a population, or a “sample population, is what Quantitative Research is

all about.

Materials & Equipment

 Due to the lack of laboratory apparatus, the researchers will use

improvised apparatus to conduct the experiment. The improvised apparatus

needed for the experiment are the following – frying pan, stove, strainer, bowl,

and cooking thermometer and intends to use orange peel and used cooking oil in

doing the experiment.

Cooking Pot. Is a deep round container used for cooking stews, soups, and
12
other food.

Stove. It is an apparatus for cooking or heating that operates by burning fuel or

using electricity.

Strainer. It is a device having holes punched in it or made of crossed wires for

separating solid matter from a liquid.

Bowl. It is a round, deep dish or basin used for food or liquid.

Cooking Thermometer. It is a heat monitor and gauge will be used to measure

temperatures of 100°F to 400°F or higher in how substances and liquids, when

heating sugar for making candy, jam, syrup, and grease for deep frying. This type

of thermometer is used primarily for stovetop cooking while ingredients are being

heated in a pan.

Procedure

Preparation of Materials
 The first process is the sedimentation of the used cooking oil. Due to a

lack of laboratory apparatus, the researchers will intend to use improvised

apparatus. This will require a fine-mesh strainer, a bowl, and used cooking oil.
13
Purification Process

Five hundred (500) mL of used cooking oil will be poured into the fine-

mesh strainer with a bowl underneath. After straining, the oil will be poured into

the cooking pan. But before that process, the researchers will prepare the

coousking set-up. The materials needed will be a cooking pan, stove, as well as

your orange peels.

After setting your cooking materials, the cooking oil will be poured into the

pan. Set the temperature to low-medium heat. If the oil is ready put the orange

peel and wait until it is golden brown. Now, strain the cooking oil that is fried with

the orange peel. The oil is expected to be clear at this point.

Testing

Before testing, the researchers will be setting the cooking equipment. This

procedure will need five hundred (500) mL of used cooking oil, five hundred (500)

mL of purified oil, and a cooking thermometer. Both oils will be put into separate

pans. Then, set the same amount of heat for both pans. Wait and measure the

time for both oils to reach 160°C. Record and tabulate the data for the results.

Evaluation of Products
 Every household has used cooking oil, some of which is recycled and

some of which is thrown out like orange peels. The goal of the research is to

purify used cooking oil using orange peel. The orange peel is to be cooked in the

used cooking oil, and it is anticipated that the orange peel would absorb the oil's

impurities and change the color of the oil, proving that it has been purified. The

researchers measure how long it takes to heat anything up to 160°C to evaluate

its effectiveness. In terms of how long it takes to heat up, there should be a
14
significant difference between used cooking oil and purified used cooking oil.

Statistical Treatment

The collected data will be statistically treated in this manner. The

data would indicate if there is a significant difference between the two in terms of

the time to achieve a specific temperature-160°C-by measuring the time and the

average time of the two variables to reach that temperature. The researchers

would calculate the mean of the time it takes to reach a certain temperature. The

mean is the average or the most common value in a collection of numbers.

The researchers intend to use t-test in obtaining the significant difference

of the amount of time it takes for used cooking oil to reach 160°C compared to

the purified used cooking oil. T-test views the averages of the data sets that are

different from each other but have

 m−µ
t=
s/√ n

15

Schedule of Activities

Date Activities

September 5 – 16 Looked for a problem

September 19 – 23 Looked for the sub-problems and made a study

Looking for the availability of materials

September 26 – 30 Started and finished Chapter 1

October 3 – 7 Started and finished Chapter 2

October 10 – 14 Started and finished Chapter 3

October 16 – 21 Correction of Chapter 2

October 24 – 28 Correction of Chapter 3

October 31 – November Research Title Proposal

4
 16

Bibliography

Condez. 2017. Restoring Used CookinG Oil. May 12.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/ask-an-expert/
viewtopic.php?
t=17691&fbclid=IwAR1NPx7Q86wNXyNMG444OBVpQOP7UtroAdf3e1mlFFIq8r4
asr3mI3OMfVY.
Kaminska, et.,al. 2021. Purification of Used Cooking Oil Using Activated Carbon
Adsorbent from Durian Peel.
https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/publications/purification-of-used-
cooking-oil-using-activated-carbon-adsorbent#:~:text=Hence%2C%20it%20is
%20necessary%20to,for%20used%20cooking%20oil%20purification.
Mahenderan, et.al. 2019. Cooking Oil in Health and Sports.
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Momxg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjj1-
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Nuhammad, et.,al. 2020. Analysis on quality improvement of used cooking oil with
young pineapple (Ananas comosus) using Taguchi Method.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347059116_Analysis_on_quality_imp
 rovement_of_used_cooking_oil_with_young_pineapple_Ananas_comosus_using
_Taguchi_Method?
fbclid=IwAR226eEcNEclPv1umnVU9r9dvtDfikSBrCktB2oDGhtXTpQkgKAoU6OWO
Dg.
S.Miskah, et.,al. 2019. Purification of Used Cooking Oil Using Activated Carbon
Adsorbent from Durian Peel.
https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/publications/purification-of-used-
cooking-oil-using-activated-carbon-adsorbent#:~:text=Hence%2C%20it%20is
%20necessary%20to,for%20used%20cooking%20oil%20purification.
S.R. Basha, et.,al. 2021. Characteristic and biosorption capacities of orange peels
biosorbents for removal of ammonia and nitrate from contaminated water.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772397621000010?
fbclid=IwAR2_i0vojWxLxCYOB2d1Ttmml9-htBk0ddIN5iO0PJqly1l3cGpGvbczvx8.