The Utilization of Clitoria ternatea flower (Blueternate) extract

as a hydroponic solution in growing Chinese cabbage

An Investigatory Project Presented to the Faculty of

Science, Technology and Engineering Program

In Partial Fulfillment for the Requirement

For Junior High School Completion
S.Y. 2022- 2023

By :
Rockxim J. Garcia
Fiona Yacinth D. Hinnant
Prince Clarence M. Ortillo
10- Curie
Dumangas National High School
Ilaya 1st, Dumangas , Iloilo

Mrs. Luz D. Latoza

Project Adviser
INTRODUCTION

Growing plants at home or other places maybe challenging since not all environment has
healthy soil available that allows plants to grow, which is where hydroponic planting is very
suitable since it doesn’t require soil to grow plants. Hydroponic

Hydroponic planting requires a solution to help plants grow. In this study we aim to create a
hydroponic solution using clitoria ternatea flower extract to use in planting petchay. The Clitoria
flower contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, Calcium and Magnesium(1), which are
nutrients that plants require in order to grow.

Blue colored CT was proven in other studies to have the normal ph of 6.0 and the required ph for
hydroponic solution is
Methodology

a. Creating the hydroponic solution

a.1 Preparation
The clitoria ternatea flower will be freshly picked and the leaf bud will be removed to
make sure that the flower is the only independent variable. Then it will be washed
carefully and thoroughly to maintain sanitation and avoid pest that may contaminate the
experiment area. After washing the CT, it will be crushed in a mortar and pestle.

a.2 Measurement
Each crushed flower will be mixed with 15ml of distilled water to get a concentrated
solution.[2] After the solution is made the ph level of it will be tested using ph level
strips. If the ph level is 6.5 to 7.5 then we could proceed with the experiment. There will
be two mixtures: A and B. Mixture A contains 25% of concentrated CT extract solution
and 75% distilled water. Mixture B contains 50% of concentrated CT extract solution and
50% distilled water. When combined the CT extract solution and distilled water it should
be equal to one gallon.

b. Garden system

The hydroponic garden will be built using the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system where
there will be constant water and CT extract flowing through the roots of the chinese cabbage.
This study uses chinese cabbage as the dependent variable to be able to see progress in a much
quicker pace. The NFT system was chosen because it was proven to have the ability to grow
Chinese cabbage better [3].

b. 1 tray section

The tray will be made using PVC pipes with a length of 1.25 meters and 4 holes above. One side
will be slightly taller than the other to help the water flow back to the water reservoir. And a
water pump to allow the cycle of water. There will be three different grow tray A, B and C. each
trey contains four seedling placed in net pots with gravels underneath to balance the seedlings at
its younger stage. Tray A will be connected to the water reservoir that has the A mixture. Tray B
will be connected to the water reservoir that has the B mixture while tray C will be connected to
the water reservoir that only has distilled water. Tray C would be the control variable of the
experiment.
c. Planting
The cabbage seed will be placed in a moisturized paper towel for 5-10 days until it
finishes germinating. The seeds will be kept moist by spraying it with warm water when
needed. After the cabbage had germinated, it will be placed in the net pots where the
official hydroponic planting will begin. The cabbage will be monitored every week by
height (cm), leaf produce, growth speed and overall quality. The water-solution mixture
will be replaced every 2 weeks. The expected harvesting time will be about 2 months
after the sapling has been placed in the hydroponic garden.

d. Risk and safety

The garden should be kept clean and sanitize. Make sure that the water reservoir has not
been contaminated. Take extra caution in setting up the garden. The set up should be
sturdy and durable to avoid accidents. Also place a protective barrier like net to keep pest
and insects away.

e. Analysis
After two months the height, leaf produce, growth speed and overall quality will be
examined. The results will be recorded in a table and analyze if there are any differences
between set A,B and C.

e.1 Statistical tools

Every week the average height of each set will be recorded using centimeters. The leaf
produced will be examined by overall looks, color, width and length (cm). the roots will
also be examined by sight if the roots is white or tan, numerous, and long enough to hold
the pot then it is a healthy root.

f. Hot to dispose waste material

The waste material involved in this study is the water after it is replaced and the leaf bud
of the cliteria ternatea. The water can be disposed by simply throwing it in the sewers,
backyards or repurpose it to water other plant, since the CT plant isn’t dangerous to the
environment, people, animals or plants. The leaf bud is biodegradable so it could thrown
away in dirt to biodegrade on its own.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Fu, Xueying et al. “Spectral Characteristic, Storage Stability and Antioxidant Properties of
Anthocyanin Extracts from Flowers of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea L.).” Molecules (Basel,
Switzerland) vol. 26,22 7000. 19 Nov. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26227000.

[2] Jeyaraj, Ethel Jeyaseela et al. “Extraction methods of butterfly pea (Clitoria
ternatea) flower and biological activities of its phytochemicals.” Journal of food
science and technology vol. 58,6 (2021): 2054-2067. doi:10.1007/s13197-020-
04745-3

[3] Lee, Chia-Tung & Wu, How-Chiun. (2019). Effect of Biofield Treatment on
Growth and Physiology of Hydroponically-Grown Lettuce and Bok Choy Plants.
AGRIVITA Journal of Agricultural Science. 41. 10.17503/agrivita.v41i3.2337.

[4] Gerszberg, A. Tissue culture and genetic transformation of cabbage (Brassica

oleracea var. capitata): an overview. Planta 248, 1037–1048 (2018).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-018-2961-3