BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*

The National Engineering University Page

MERGEFOR
AT 1

Exploring the Viability of Pomelo Peel and Madre Cacao Leaf Extract as

Alternative Pesticides for Promoting Sustainability in Agriculture

A Research Paper

Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the

Requirements in Ged 104 – The Contemporary World

Submitted by: GROUP (I, II, III,…)

BSED – English

Mercado, Yna D.

Coliat, Liezette

Dioneda, Hannah Gwynette

Manguerra, Sheena

Punio, Bea Bianca

APRIL 2023
 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the global economy and

plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and economic development.

However, the use of synthetic pesticides in agriculture has raised serious

concerns about their negative impact on the environment and human health.

As a result, there is a growing need to explore more sustainable and

environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides.

The research titled “Exploring the Viability of Pomelo Peel and Madre Cacao

Leaf Extract as Alternative Pesticides for Promoting Sustainability in

Agriculture” aims to address this need by investigating the potential of

natural plant extracts as alternative pesticides. Specifically, the study

focuses on two plant extracts, pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract,

and their effectiveness in controlling pests that commonly affect crops.

Pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract are believed to contain natural

compounds that can repel or kill pests, making them a promising alternative

to synthetic pesticides. The study seeks to determine the viability of using

these natural extracts as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly

approach to pest management in agriculture.

 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

The findings of this research may have significant implications for promoting

sustainable agriculture and reducing the negative impact of chemical

pesticides on the environment and human health. The study may also

provide insights for farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders interested

in adopting more sustainable agricultural practices.

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to… Specifically, it aims to answer the

following questions:

1. How do the farmers perceive the effectiveness of Madre Cacao leaf and

Pomelo peel as Pesticides?

2. What are the potential factors of the pesticide made of pomelo peel and

madre cacao leaf extract that will encourage the farmers to use it on their

plant?

3. What are the properties and active compounds in pomelo peel and madre

cacao leaf extracts that make them potential alternatives to synthetic

pesticides?
 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on exploring the viability of pomelo peel and madre cacao

leaf extract as an alternative to chemical pesticides. The researchers will

look for the properties and compounds of pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf

extract that make them a potential pesticide to crops. This research also

aims to look at the economic feasibility of using these natural pesticides in

agriculture. It will only be limited for the crops located in the Philippines.

This research will involve interviews with farmers and agricultural experts in

the Philippines. Moreover, it will focus on gathering qualitative data on

farmers' perceptions and attitude towards the use of natural pesticides,

specifically pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract. The findings of this

study will be limited to the opinions and perceptions of the participants

chosen which are the farmers.

Significance of the Study

The result of the study will be beneficial to the following:

Farmers

The primary beneficiaries of the study are the farmers who will benefit

positively from the product. The product is the answer to the need for more

preparation for farmers' sustainable and agricultural practices in response to

 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

the demands of alternative pesticides and consequent enhancement of

agriculture.

Community

This study will give the community a better and affordable alternative solution

on killing pests and will also help to provide nutrition for the crops needs to

grow and harvest for nutritious food.

Environment

This study will help the environment to have healthier surroundings by

protecting and giving nutrition to the plants using this alternative pesticide

that is less risky for other organisms.

Future Researchers

This study will help future researchers to gain knowledge and ideas on how

to conduct this kind of research which is about simply making alternative

pesticides for the plants.

 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter introduces related studies and literature reviewed by the

researchers allowing them to collect information on their research and from

other sources of data provided by the useful materials of the researchers in

this research undertaking. This enabled the researchers to find supporting

details for the current study while the gap of the study emphasized the

uniqueness of the present study. The various reviews on related literature

and studies are found to be related to the present study and the conceptual

framework and paradigm utilized in this study.

Related Literature

Pesticide poisoning is still one of the global health problems. It is estimated

that every year, five million people die as a result of intentional, accidental

and occupational pesticide exposures worldwide (Lu et al, 2013). Due to the

misuse of pesticides, pesticide poisoning occurred and is a big problem

when it comes to health. The natural pesticides and those synthetic

pesticides are both effective in exterminating pests, but it is still unsure that

the natural one is much safer. Pesticides are widely used by developing

countries such as the Philippines for agricultural purposes.

 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

Unfortunately, chemicals used to treat greens are suspected of causing

cancer and interfering with hormone production. Arugula and other leafy

greens have all been found to have high levels of pesticide residues

(Gabardi, 2018). Same with the arugula, madre de cacao also has its ability

to act as an insect and pest repellant. According to (Rabena, 2017) The

Madre de cacao leaves are also proven to be a good source of coumarins, a

toxic chemical that may kill practically all pests and insects. Due to its varied

fragrance, it can attract different kinds of rodent, and with enough sufficiency,

it can ultimately kill them.

The impact of pesticides within an aquatic environment is influenced by their

water solubility and uptake ability within an organism (Pereira et al., 2013).

Pesticides on the water resources can be both harmful to the ecosystem and

humans. Once the chemical pesticide enters the surface of the aquatic

environment, due to its toxicity, it can affect the water diversity. Daniela

(2019), proposed a theory titled Pest Control in Organic Farming. This theory

informs that organic pesticides provide social, public animal health and food

quality etc. Many people are concerned about the environment and changes

within agriculture. Having an awareness regarding pest control can be a

great help especially in educating people about nature.

 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

Related Study

One of the ways to achieve a sustainable environment is through organic

farming. It is a production method that primarily eliminates the use of

synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, growth promoters, and feed additives for

livestock. The fundamental principles of organic farming are the pursuit of

environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It can produce high-

quality food without having a negative impact on the environment or the

health of the soil (S. K. Yadav and et al, 2013).

The key causes contributing to the degradation of the environment of today's

globe has been found to be the use of pesticides. These substances are

purposely manufactured to be toxic to pests and disease-carrying insects.

Although pesticides have benefited agricultural goods and helped reduce

transmission of infectious diseases, their widespread application has

adversely affected human health as a result of occupational or environmental

exposures. Long-term prolonged contact with pesticides may harm lives of

people and affect the neurological, endocrine, immunological, reproductive,

renal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, as well as other body organs

(S. Mostafalou and et al, 2013).

Due to insect resistance to traditional insecticides, there has recently been

an increased interest in researching and assessing botanical pesticides for

 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

pest management in both developing and developed countries. Additionally,

residues from synthetic insecticides that have been applied over an

extended period of time have begun to build up in many environmental

components (such as soil, water, food, and air). They have negative

consequences on non-target organisms, ecosystems, and human health. As

a result, bio-insecticides have emerged in the agricultural and public health

sectors as an alternative to synthetic insecticides (A. Mossa, 2016).

As a biologically safe insecticide against the common pests of stored grain,

the essential oil of the pomelo peel is quite effective. Furthermore, strong

larvicidal toxicity against various mosquito species was discovered, which

can boost the essential oil's market worth. The potential use of the essential

oil as an ecologically friendly green pesticide, even in the storage of food and

seed grains, becomes possible when taking into account the non-toxic

nature of the substance on germinating grains and unintended species like

fish (N. Visakh and et al, 2016).

It has been claimed that madre cacao has expectorant, insecticidal,

rodenticidal, sedative, and suppurative properties. Discovered that the

leaves of the madre de cacao tree are a good source of coumarins, a poison

that can kill practically all pests and insects. According to a study by Tacio

(2019), madre de cacao has a unique scent that may draw rats but, in the

correct quantities, could also kill them. Indigenous knowledge also suggests
 BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1

that madre de cacao has a variety of applications as an herbal remedy and a

pest deterrent. However, studies on the antifungal and antimicrobial activities

of madre cacao leaf extracts have already been done (A. Dominique and et

al, 2020).

Operational Framework

Output
Input Proces
Existing
Findings
s on
literature
the viability
Collection
on
the Recommen
of use
pomelo of
natural onand
peel
dations the
extracts
madre
use of cacao
natural
as
alternative as
leaves
extracts
pesticides
alternative
Preparatio
n Availability
pesticides andin
and
extraction
agriculture. of
accessibility
activeContribution of
pomelo
singredients
to the existing
peel
and
from
literature pomelo
madre
on the
cacaoofleaves
peel
use natural
and
madre
extracts
Access cacao to
as
agricultural
leaves
alternative
sites
pesticides
Identificati
wherein
the research
on
agriculture. and
canAwareness
selection be
of
conducted
research
and knowledge
Availability of
participants
dissemination
research
to Conduct
the general of
participantsand
interviews
public
(e.g. farmers,
focus group
agricultural
discussions
workers,
with research
agricultural to
participants
experts)data.
gather
Analysis
and
interpretation
of data.
 BATANGAS
The operational framework STATE
above serves as UNIVERSITY
the guide to understand how the
PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
researchers will conduct this study. This research includes collecting existing MERGEFOR
AT 1
literature on the use of natural extracts as alternative pesticides, accessing

agricultural sites where the research can be conducted, and finding

available research participants (e.g. farmers, agricultural workers,

agricultural experts). For the preparation to identify the selection of research

participants. The researcher conducts interviews and focus group

discussions with research participants to gather data on their knowledge,

attitudes, and practices that are related to use of pesticides in agriculture.

The results of the study will determine the viability of the natural pesticide

and its potential to be an alternative pesticide.

Hypothesis

Pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract have the potential to be effective

alternatives to chemical pesticides for pest management in agriculture, thus

promoting sustainability. A greater level of sustainability in agriculture will

result from farmers using pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract as

substitutes for traditional pesticides, who will see a decline in pest-caused

crop damage, an increase in crop yield, and a lessening of the harmful

environmental effects of traditional pesticide use. Additionally, they will note

an improvement in the general condition and quality of their soil and crops,
as well as a declineBATANGAS STATE
in the price of pest UNIVERSITY
control, all of which will lead to an
The National Engineering University Page PAGE \*
increase in profit. MERGEFOR
AT 1

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the method used, the sources of data, and the

procedures on how the data were gathered, as well as the tools for analysis

and instrument used.

Research Design

The researchers use a qualitative approach to fulfill the objectives of

the study that includes investigating the potential of using natural extracts

from pomelo peel and madre cacao leaves as alternative pesticides for

sustainable agriculture. The research will explore the effectiveness of these

extracts in controlling pests and compare them to traditional chemical

 BATANGAS
pesticides. Additionally, the study STATE UNIVERSITY
will examine the economic feasibility of
PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
using these natural extracts as alternative pesticides, as well as their MERGEFOR
AT 1
environmental impact.

Subject of the study

The subject of the study are the farmers, agricultural experts, or other

stakeholders regarding the use of pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract

as alternative pesticides in promoting sustainability in agriculture. The study

aims to explore the viability of these natural extracts as an alternative to

synthetic pesticides, and to understand the factors that influence the

adoption of these alternative pesticides among farmers and other

stakeholders. The study could also investigate the potential benefits and

drawbacks of using these alternative pesticides, and explore the perceptions

and experiences of farmers who have already adopted them as part of their

farming practices. The subject of the study aimed to explore the viability of

pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract as alternative pesticides for

promoting sustainability in agriculture. Data were collected through

interviews with local farmers and experts in the field of agriculture. Moreover,

by promoting the use of natural extracts in agriculture, farmers can reduce

their dependence on synthetic pesticides and contribute to the sustainability

of the agricultural sector

Research Instruments
 BATANGAS
A comprehensive interview STATE
guide will UNIVERSITY
be used as the research instrument to
PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
examine the potential of pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract as MERGEFOR
AT 1
substitute pesticides for promoting sustainability in agriculture. The

instruction manual may include open-ended questions that enable

participants to discuss their thoughts on utilizing substitute pesticides as well

as their own experiences with them.

These inquiries could be in the interview guide:

Would you please share your experience using madre cacao leaf extract and

pomelo peel as substitute pesticides?

How effective do you believe these extracts are at preventing pest

problems?

After applying these extracts, have you observed any improvements in the

wellbeing and quality of your crops and soil?

How much are these extracts used for in comparison with traditional

chemical pesticides?

Data Gathering Procedures

 BATANGAS
One data gathering STATEthe
method for exploring UNIVERSITY
viability of pomelo peel and
PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
madre cacao leaf extract as alternative pesticides for promoting sustainability MERGEFOR
AT 1
in agriculture is conducting in-depth interviews with farmers who have used

these extracts as pesticides. During these interviews, farmers can be asked

open-ended questions about their experiences using the extracts, including

their perceptions of the effectiveness of the extracts in controlling pests and

improving crop yield, as well as their observations about the impact of the

extracts on the health and quality of their crops and soil. Interviews can also

explore farmers' attitudes towards the use of traditional chemical pesticides

and their willingness to adopt alternative approaches to pest control.

Additionally, the interviews can gather information about the economic

feasibility of using pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract as pesticides,

including any cost savings that farmers may have experienced as a result of

using these extracts. By conducting in-depth interviews with farmers,

researchers can gather rich, nuanced data about the potential benefits and

challenges associated with using pomelo peel and madre cacao leaf extract

as alternative pesticides, which can inform future research and policy

decisions aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture.

References

Mostafalou, S., & Abdollahi, M. (2013). Pesticides and human chronic

diseases: Evidences, mechanisms, and perspectives. Toxicology and

Applied BATANGAS STATE 268(2),
Pharmacology, UNIVERSITY 157–
PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2013.01.025 MERGEFOR
AT 1

Mossa, A. H. (2016). Green Pesticides: Essential Oils as Biopesticides

in Insect-pest Management. Journal of Environmental Science and

Technology, 9(5), 354–378. https://doi.org/10.3923/jest.2016.354.378

Visakh, N. U., Pathrose, B., Narayanankutty, A., Alfarhan, A. H., &

Ramesh, V. (2022). Utilization of Pomelo (Citrus maxima) Peel Waste

into Bioactive Essential Oils: Chemical Composition and Insecticidal

Properties. Insects, 13(5),480. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050480

Yadav, S. R., Babu, S., Yadav, M. K., Singh, K., Yadav, G., & Pal, S.

(2013). A Review of Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture in

Northern India. International Journal of Agronomy, 2013, 1–

8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/718145

Oboh, G., Ademosun, A. O., Olumuyiwa, T. A., Olasehinde, T. A.,

Ademiluyi, A. O., & Adeyemo, A. C. (2017). Insecticidal activity of

essential oil from orange peels (Citrus sinensis) against Tribolium

confusum, Callosobruchus maculatus and Sitophilus oryzae and its

 BATANGAS
inhibitory effects on STATE UNIVERSITY
acetylcholinesterase and Na+/K+-ATPase
PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
activities. Phytoparasitica, 45(4), 501– AT 1

508. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-017-0620-z
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY PAGE \*
The National Engineering University Page
MERGEFOR
AT 1