CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The herbaceous biennial Liliaceae onion, Allium cepa, is planted for its edible
bulb and is a part of the Liliaceae family. The plant's base is a flattened disc, and the
tubular leaves form a pseudostem when their sheaths meet, forming a pseudostem.
There are 3–8 leaves per plant, and they are either upright or oblique. Onion plants
grow clusters of pink or white blooms on stalks. By overlapping leaves, the bulbs are
created right above the plant's flattened stem. There are multiple levels to the bulb,
each of which corresponds to a leaf. They are usually oval in shape, but can vary in
size and appear in clusters of 3–18 plants per plant. A membrane that transforms into
a papery layer protects the bulb. Onion plants grow as annuals and are harvested after
one growing season, reaching a height of 50 cm (20 inches). red or purple onion,
shallots, and spring onions, often known as scallions, are all cultivars of onion. The
onion’s origins are unknown, although it’s most likely to be found in Southeast Asia,
where the gene pool is the most diversified.

An onion is a round vegetable with a brown skin that grows underground. It

has many white layers on its inside which have a strong, sharp smell and taste.Onion
produced compounds such as allicin that had repellent effects on insect
pests.Lachrymatory-factor synthase is released into the air when we cut an onion. The
synthase enzyme converts the amino acids sulfoxides of the onion into sulfenic acid.
The unstable sulfenic acid rearranges itself into syn-Propanethial-S-oxide. Syn-
Propanethial-S-oxide gets into the air and comes in contact with our eyes.

The genus Solenopsis, which includes over 200 species of ants, includes
numerous species of fire ants. The majority of common names for stinging ants, such
as ginger ants and tropical fire ants, refer to them as stinging ants. Despite not
belonging to the genus Solenopsis, many of the names shared by this genus are
frequently used interchangeably to refer to other ant species, such as the word red ant,
which is based on their similar coloration. Fire ants build their nests in damp parts of
the earth, such as riverbanks, pond shores, lawns that have been watered, and highway
shoulders. The nest is usually hidden beneath items like wood, logs, boulders, or
bricks, so it is difficult to see. Dome-shaped mounds are built when there isn't enough
cover for nesting, although they're normally only seen in open settings like fields,
parks, and lawns.

The onion (Allium Cepa) extract spray as fire ant killer will benefit anyone
who has problem when it comes to fire ant. It will benefit the community as they can
use it as affordable spray against fire ants. Onion extract spray is made organic and it
will benefit the environment. The product can use as an alternative organic fire ant
killer. Onion has plentiful chemical compounds such as allicin, quercetin, fisetin,
other sulphorous compound: diallyl disulphide and diallyl trisulphide.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 Generally, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of Onion Allium
Cepa extract spray as Fire Ant Solenopsis killer.

Specifically, it seek to answer the following question:

1. What are the phytochemical constituent present in Onion Allium Cepa extract as an
effective fire ant killer spray?

2. What is the level of acceptability of the spray out of Onion Allium Cepa extract in
terms of:

A. Aroma
B. Texture; and
C. Appearance?

3. Is there a significant difference between Onion Allium Cepa extract spray ant the
commercial product for ire ant killer?

HYPOTHESIS

Null(Ho)
 There is no significant difference between the spray out of Onion
Allium Cepa extract and the commercial product for Fire Ant Solenopsis killer in
terms of aroma,texture and appearance.

Alternative(Ha)

There is significant difference between the spray out of Onion

Allium Cepa extract and the commercial product for Fire Ant Solenopsis killer in
terms of aroma,texture and appearance.

Cause and Effect

If there is a significant difference between the spray out of Onion

Allium Cepa exract and the commercial product for Fire Ant Solenopsis killer in
terms of aroma,texture and appearance, then maybe the one is much likely by many
people because of their satisfying needs.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Fire Ant killer spray is one of the commonly used to help kill Fire Ants
in our house and to other places.

Now , the researchers will conduct a research about spray out of Onion
Allium Cepa extract. This study will benefit the following:
1. Businessman- This study may be beneficial to businessman. They can use the
product this study as basis for them to produce their own product.

2. Consumers- This study may beneficial to consumer. To those who want to use an
organic and natural fire ant killer spray.

3. Environmental Impact- The ingredients that will be utilized in this study is natural
and organic.

4. Researchers- To those who wish to conduct also a similar study the future
researcher can use this as guide.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

This study will focus on the organic spray out of Onion Allium Cepa
extract. The researchers will gather a Onion Allium Cepa at San Jacinto Public
Market. To produce a spray out of Onion Allium Cepa extract, the researchers will
determine the level of acceptability of spray out of:

a. Texture
b. Odor
c. Appearance ; and
d. Overall Acceptability Test
 This study will be conducted at San Jacinto, the month of January to
March.

This study delimit in spray out of Onion Allium Cepa extract.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK/IPO MODEL

The IPO Model shows that will involved in the study.

INPUT

ONION
(ALLIUM CEPA)
 PROCESSES

 Collection and Preparation of

Materials and Onion Allium
Cepa

 Preparation of treatments

 Analysis and Interpretation

 Conclusion and
Recommendation

OUTPUT

FIRE ANT KILLER SPRAY

DEFENITION OF TERMS

Onion-An onion is a round vegetable with a brown skin that grows underground. It
has many white layers on its inside which have a strong, sharp smell and taste

Fire ants-Fire ants are several species of ants in the genus Solenopsis, which includes
over 200 species

Allicin-Allicin is another compound found in members of the allium family, which

includes onions, leeks, shallots, scallions and the herbs garlicand chives.

Liliaceae-the lily family of the flowering plant order Liliales, with 16 genera
and 635 species of herbs and shrubs, native primarily to temperate and
subtropical regions

yn-propanethial S-oxide- a member of a class of organosulfur compounds

known as thiocarbonyl S-oxides, is a volatile liquid that acts as a lachrymatory
agent..