Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum) extract and Calamansi (Citrus

macrocarpa) extract as less toxic insecticide for ants (Formicidae)

Life Science: Medicine & Health

Team Category

Czathryllani Clye Lisaca

Glendale T. Belches
Althea Clarisse B. Ganza

Researchers

Maebel Morado
Project Adviser

Jennie H. Grande
Research Teacher

Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National Highschool

Division of La Carlota City
Region VI - Western Visayas

October 2023
 A. Rationale
Chili (Capsicum annuum) extract and Calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa) extract as an
effective insecticide at eliminating ants (Formicidae). Ants (Formicide) is a common
unthreatening insect. However, it is proven in a study conducted that they can be carriers of
diseases that are then transmitted to food (AIMS 2018). Ants are easily eliminated by
chemical based repelling products. These chemical-based products may have inevitable
effects to the body exposed to the products such as blindness, skin irritation, lung cancer and
respiratory diseases. (Strid, A.; Hanson, W.; Cross, A.; Bond, C.; Jenkins, J. 2018) This study
is to be conducted to determine the efficacy of chili (Capsicum annuum) extract with
Calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa) extract as an organic alternative to chemical-based
insecticides.

A recent study (Jimenez,2022) states that chili contains capsicum which is effective at
eliminating bugs mainly, ants (Formicide). White it is indeed proven that the component in
chili namely, capsicum is effective at eliminating bugs, it is yet to be effectively utilized. This
study aims that we prove chili extract along with calamansi as it’s booster in a spray form is
affective as a pesticide. The expected outcome is that the chili extract and calamansi extract
solution in a spray form is going to be an effective alternative to toxic, chemical-based
insecticides.

This paper argues that the chili (Capsicum annuum) extract with Calamansi (Citrus
macrocarpa) extract would be an effective alternative to chemical-based insecticides. It
discusses the threats caused by the subject and it shows topics previously studied which
supports the objective of this plan which is to potentially address the stated issues by finding
an alternative.

B. Research Questions or Problems Being Addressed:

 Will the botanical insecticide containing chili (Capsicum annuum) extract and
calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa) extract potentially replace chemical-based
insecticides?
 What is the efficacy of chili (Capsicum annuum) extract and calamansi (Citrus
macrocarpa) extract at eliminating house pests mainly ants (Formicidae)?

C. Goals/Expected Outcomes/Hypotheses:

Goals

● By using these natural compounds from chili extracts and calamansi extracts,

the goal is to eliminate house pests mainly ants.

Expected Outcome:
The researchers expect that mortality rate of ants (Formicidae) will drop by 90% to
100% and the success rate of elimination is high. It is also expected that this botanical
insecticide will be much more plausible for daily household use in replacement of
carcinogenic chemical-based insecticide.

Hypotheses:

 Is there a significant effect of using calamansi extract to eliminate ants.

 Is there a significant effect of using chili extract to eliminate ants.
 Is there a significant effect of using chili and calamansi to eliminate ants.
 Is there a significant difference of using chili pepper extracts as insecticide for ants.
 Is there a significant difference of using different treatment as compared to a
commercial insecticide.

D. Procedure

Research Design:

This study will use Complete Randomized Design (CRD). A Complete Randomized
Design (CRD) was used for the study which employed randomization and replication of the
experimental subject. Each subject has an equal chance of being selected and the
homogeneity of the samples ensure that the results are caused by experimental treatments and
not being factors.

Research Locale:

The experiment will be conducted at one of the researcher’s residences.

Materials and Equipment Needed:

 Chili (Capsicum annuum) fruit

 Calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa) fruit
 Plastic empty spray bottle
 Lemon Juicer
 Water
Application of Treatment

The chili (Capsicum Annuum) fruit will be crushed and extracted using a mortar and
pestle, while the Calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa) fruit will be extracted using a lemon juicer.
After extraction, the resulting extracts will be mixed with 30 ml of distilled water and 20ml
of the active ingredients in a spray bottle.

E. Risk and Safety

Please note that there are some minor risks associated with the research procedure. To
minimize these risks, it is important to wear gloves at all times to prevent any irritation or
skin burns. As a precaution, always avoid touching your eyes with your hands, and if such
contact occurs, rinse your eyes immediately with clean running water. Additionally, it is
important to wash your hands thoroughly before and after the experiment. These simple steps
can help ensure a safe and successful research process.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

RESULT

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

APPENDICES
Abstract

The main objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of Chili (Capsicum Annuum) extract
and Calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa) extract as a potential insecticide. This study presents related
literature and data to prove that these extracts may or may not affect the mortality rate of insects. Ants
(Formicidae) are the main subjects to be administered with this treatment. The treatment is utilized in
a form of a spray with an absolute proportion of solution. There are three treatments being calamansi
extract and water, chili extract and water, calamansi and chili in water to determine how these extracts
truly affect the ants. Alongside that is the negative control which is store bought insecticide with an
undisclosed brand and plain water. This treatment is administered at the researcher’s place. As of the
result, it is observed that the natural alternative work less as efficient as the storebought insecticide
but still with a great effect at eliminating the ants. The main difficulty was the time of reaction in
which the commercial insecticide gaurantees immediate reaction or at its best, elimination. The heat
of the natural insecticide takes more time to wear out the ants and kill them. With this, it is concluded
that insects the size ants take time to be eliminated by such treatments. However, it is generally a safer
preventative measure that can be sprayed onto surfaces of daily household items and plants to prevent
smaller insects.
Introduction

Ants (Formicide) is a common unthreatening insect. However, it is proven in a study

conducted that they can be carriers of diseases that are then transmitted to food (AIMS 2018). Ants are
easily eliminated by chemical based repelling products. These chemical-based products may have
inevitable effects to the body exposed to the products such as blindness, skin irritation, lung cancer
and respiratory diseases. (Strid, A.; Hanson, W.; Cross, A.; Bond, C.; Jenkins, J. 2018) This study is
to be conducted to determine the efficacy of chili (Capsicum annuum) extract with Calamansi (Citrus
macrocarpa) extract as an organic alternative to chemical-based insecticides.

A recent study (Jimenez,2022) states that chili contains capsicum which is effective at
eliminating bugs mainly, ants (Formicide). White it is indeed proven that the component in chili
namely, capsicum is effective at eliminating bugs, it is yet to be effectively utilized. This study aims
that we prove chili extract along with calamansi as it’s booster in a spray form is affective as a
pesticide. The expected outcome is that the chili extract and calamansi extract solution in a spray form
is going to be an effective alternative to toxic, chemical-based
insecticides.

This paper argues that the chili (Capsicum annuum) extract with Calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa)
extract would be an effective alternative to chemical-based insecticides. It discusses the threats caused
by the subject and it shows topics previously studied which supports the objective of this plan which
is to potentially address the stated issues by finding an alternative.
Methods

Materials and equipment needed

• Chili (Capsicum annuum) fruit
• Calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa) fruit
• Plastic empty spray bottle
• Mortar and Pestle
 Lemon Juicer
 Water
 Petri Dishes

Treatments
 Calamansi extract (10ml) and Chili extract (10ml) with water (30ml)
 Calamansi extract (20ml) with water (30ml)
 Chili extract (20ml) with water (30ml)
 Commercial Insecticide (Undisclosed Company Name)
 Pure water


Procedure and Application

The research will be conducted at the researcher's home. The chili (Capsicum Annuum) fruit will
be crushed and extracted using a mortar and pestle, while the Calamansi (Citrus macrocarpa) fruit
will be extracted using a lemon juicer. After extraction, the extracts will be mixed with 30 ml of
distilled water and 20ml of the active ingredients in a spray bottle. The treatment will then be ready to
apply directly at the subject. Each treatment will be administered to five ants (formicidae) each in five
different petri dishes.
Results and Discussion

Results

Treatment 1 (Calamansi extract 10ml, Chili extract 10ml, Water 30ml)

After one initial spray, the ants were observed to have reacted with an exhilaration of their
movements trying to stay away from the solution. In 5 seconds, time, they were observed to have
slowed down in movement. After 15 seconds, they were all at a critical state. In 30 seconds, the
insects had ceased to survive.

Treatment 2 (Calamansi extract 20ml, Water 30ml)

After one initial Spray, the ants were observed to have exhilarated movement. The ants stayed away
from the solution to the part of the petri dish less exposed. After 5 seconds, 4 out of 5 ants had been
completely worn out from post exposure to the solution. 3 out of 5 ants had gradually slowed down
and started to die due to the acidic solution after 30 seconds. 2 less affected ants were observed to be
weak in a critical condition. They then died after minutes had passed.

Treatment 3 (Chili extract 20ml, Water 30ml)

After one initial spray, the ants reacted to the solution exhilarating and running around the petridish.
In 15 seconds, the heat had been slightly persistent and the ants were observed to slow down and
weaken. In 30 seconds, all ants had been observed to die slowly.

Positive Control (Water)

After one initial spray, the ants evaded the area and survived.

Negative Control (Commercial Insecticide)

After one initial spray, all ants in the petridish had been observed to die in less than 5 seconds.

Discussion

All the treatments were effective at eliminating the ants. Chili extract was observed to be the most
efficient as compared to calamansi extract. It is advised to utilise the solution with chili and calamansi
extract for prolonged shelf life. The solution only with calamansi extract wasn’t as effective as the
solution only with chili extract. However, the solution with both calamansi extract and chili extract
was as effective as the chili extract therefore it is best to use. In conclusion, as compared to
commercial insecticide, the natural alternative is less as efficient as the commercial one. However, it’s
still effective and the difference is mainly statistical. The treatment still works should it be utilized
daily in a household. Although that it is not guaranteed to work as quick as the commercial
insecticide, it is practically still effective and much more family friendly and safer for the
environment. For 30 seconds slower of an effect to eliminate ants as compared to the commercial one,
the natural alternative would be much more ideal to avoid the likes of cancer, respiratory diseases, and
irritation.