Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

People keep on finding what are the possible floras that has several benefits in

regards to food, drink and most importantly safe for the health. Additionally, it cost not

much because it will just grow in the soil which can be easier to find.

Blue ternate flower was discovered by the German Botanist Johann Phillipp

Breyne while on expeditions to Ternate Island in Indonesia in the 1800’s. The Por-

tuguese name is Fula Criqua meaning flower of creation and it scientifically named Cli-

toria ternatae. This flower is originally from Sri Lanka and a perennial twinning herba-

ceous plant which belongs to the family Fabacaea. Aside from its named, other coun-

tries have also other terms to this flower like Pukingan in the Philippines and Bunga

Telang in Malaysia (Hawai’i Seed Growers, 2019).

Blue ternate can grow in a wide range of soil types including calcareous soil

where it is widely distributed throughout tropical areas which this flower likes a rich,

moist soil. Knowingly, this plant distributed in tropical regions including Philippines,

Malaysia, and Burma. It needs temperature down to 25ºC but not suited to locations

with frequent or several frost and it is normally grown in soil with phosphorus and sulfur

which can be required as fertilizers (Hapinat, 2020).

The use of plant extracts for foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals nowadays is

becoming increasingly important in the developed countries due to more consumer-

friendly labels, health benefits, medicinal and nutraceutical value. Blue ternate has
packed with health-boosting antioxidants which makes it a medicinal plant and also it

suit to application in food coloring and cosmetics and as a source of an eco-friendly in-

secticide. This plant is said to be popular not only because of its colored flower but also

because of versatility and how it can be incorporated into many culinary dishes, baked

goods and beverage concoction (Bondoc, 2021).

Background of the Study

Philippine archipelagic geography contributes to its diversified cultural population.

The landscape of the Philippines, which includes lowlands, lush forests, mountainous

hills, and coastal regions, supports a wealth of species. With a high percentage of na-

tive flora and wildlife, it is regarded as one of the mega biodiversity countries in the

world. Blue Ternate (Clitoria ternatea) is considered as one of the diverse species that

can be found rarely in the country.

Blue ternate has been known for its benefits as it has potential applications both

in modern medicine and agriculture, and as a source of natural food colorants and an-

tioxidants, it has recently attracted a lot of interest.

In terms of medicine this flowers known for curing illnesses through making it into

tea. It’s commonly known as blue tea because of the color that produces. It’s made by

brewing the dry petals. The production is often flavored with other ingredients like mint

or ginger to make it more tasteful. The tea can also be consumed with some drops of

juice to create a sweet and sour flavor and turn the luminous indigo tea to a deeper pur-

ple color. The tea color will change according to the acidity contain that will make the

tea reacts. This quality makes blue ternate tea flower a popular ingredient among mixol-
ogists for special cocktails. It is often featured in cocktails, cosmetics, and herbal tea

blends (Rachael, et al.2021).

Additionally, Blue ternate is packed with health-boosting antioxidants. One of

those antioxidant is proanthocyanidin, which is responsible for increasing blood flow to

the capillaries of the eyes. Aside from that, there are other antioxidants that blue ternate

has including Kaemphferol that has been studied for its cancer-fighting properties, p-

Coumaric acid that could have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects

which may help protect against diseases; and Delphinidin-3,5-glucoside that may help

stimulate immune function and cause cell death in coloretical cancer cells.

According to some studies, because of its richness of antioxidants, it may linked

to several health benefits including weight loss, better blood sugar control, and

improvements in hair and skin health and because of its color, it can be used as a food

colorant as it is also safe for human consumption.

Statement of the Problem

Blue ternate flower is known to be useful. It has been seen in some places

especially in Mobod, Oroquieta but some of the people are not aware of its benefits.

Research Objectives

Hence, this study aims to meet the following objectives:

1. Determine the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1 age,

1.2 sex, and

1.3 existing illness (optional).

2. Determine the awareness level of the respondents on:

 2.1 blue ternate flowers,

2.2 benefits, and

2.3 utilization.

Research Question

Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1 age,

1.2 sex, and

1.3 existing illness (optional).

2. What is the level of awareness of respondents on:

2.1 blue ternate flowers

2.2 benefits, and

2.3 utilization.

Conceptual Framework

The researchers utilize the input, process, output (IPO) wherein the input refers

to the profile of the respondents and blue ternate flowers. The study will be conducted

through administering survey questionnaire to get the output which is the level of

awareness on blue ternate flowers.

Input Output
 demographic Process Awareness level
Administering survey on
profile
questionnaires  Blue ternate
 blue ternate
flowers
flowers
 Benefits
 utilization
Significance of the Study
Figure 1. Conceptual framework of the study
 The result of the study will provide benefits to the following:

Community. This study will raise awareness on the benefits and utilization of blue

ternate flowers as applied by other people within the community.

University. This study can be a baseline of any result for further studies regarding to

blue ternate flowers.

Future researchers. For future researchers, this study has also a significant learning

for them. This will serve as a guide for further studies regarding to blue ternate flowers.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will be conducted at Mobod, Oroquieta City and it is limited only to

determining the awareness level of the community on blue ternate flowers, benefits and

utilization. All other details that haven’t been discussed or mentioned are not considered

in this study.

Definition of Terms

Antioxidant. In this study, antioxidant is defined as a substance that protects cells from

the damage caused by free radicals. It is a substance that blue ternate

flower consists (Olsen, 2023).

Awareness level. In this study, awareness level is defined as a personal construct con-

cept that explains varying levels of “consciousness” while respecting the

felt experience of the client (Leitner,1999).

Benefits. In this study, benefits is defined as the thing we can get from a certain prod-

uct. It can give pleasure to consumer wants or can help them in some

cases such as in terms of needs (Belyh, 2017).

Blue ternate. In this study, blue ternate is a plant species belonging to the family

Fabaceae. It is native in tropical areas and is a perennial vine that flowers

all year-round, producing delicate deep-blue blooms (Taculao, 2021).

Utilization. In this study, utilization defined as the way a certain product is being used.

It is the action of making practical and effective use of something (MBN,

2018).