Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V
Schools Division of Sorsogon
SALVACION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

CONCEPT PAPER

Proposed Title:
Eco-Water Lily: Water Contaminated Purifier and Cleanser, and Insect
Repellant

Scientific/Theoretical Background

Water pollution and insect problems are the most common problems in fish
ponds, rivers, and other bodies of water. As it results in a more serious problem such
as disease, animal deaths, and the spreading of insects that damage plants and
animals. The issue is treated by using harmful chemicals that cause a negative
impact on both plants and animals, specifically marine animals. By creating an
environmental solution, modifying water lilies is one way to aid in solving the
problems.

The water lily, or Nymphaeaceae, is a freshwater flowering plant that grows at a

tropical temperature and is commonly found in ponds and rivers (The Editors of
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2024). It features floating white or pink flowers that are 2
to 6 inches across and very fragrant, and the blossom has four sepals and dozens of
rows of white petals with some 70 stamens. It also has round-shaped leaves that
have a common size of 10 inches across, as they help the plant to photosynthesis
effectively and gather as much carbon dioxide as it can (clean the air as it performs
photosynthesis) (Spengler, 2022). This plant has the ability to multiply and reproduce
in a short period of time, as according to BBC.co (2014), water lilies grow rapidly,
and it is possible to get as many as 25 new plants from one large root ball, which is
enough to occupy a small pond. In addition to their characteristics, the lilies provide
food for fish and wildlife, allowing the animals to feed themselves without problem.
 Duckweed, also known as water lentils or Lemnoideae, is a type of flowering
aquatic plant that floats on or just beneath the surface of bodies of water. It is small
in size, measuring only 0.12 inches. This plant has the ability to grow and multiply in
a short period of time; it provides food for fish; it removes pollutants and waste from
the water, such as nitrates, nitrites, and other toxic chemicals; it improves oxygen
levels; and it prevents algae growth (Priest, 2023). Sweet basil or Ocimum Basilicum
is an annual herb that grows up to 1 m in height and bears small, white flowers ar-
ranged in a terminal spike. It has antimicrobial, insect repellent, anti-inflammatory,
cardiovascular, CNS, and antidiabetic activities (Sweet Basil Uses, 2024). Here are
the plants that have traits that can be used to modify water lilies to become water pu-
rifiers, cleansers, and insect repellants.

Given the water lilies natural ability to multiply and grow at a tropical
temperature and their distinct features such as big leaves, effective photosynthesis,
aesthetics, and food for animals. Introducing new traits of duckweeds and sweet
basil and modifying the genome of the whole properties of all plants can be greatly
used as a water-contaminated purifier and cleanser and as an insect repellant. It is
more than suitable for solving environmental issues.

Knowledge Gap

Polluted water has been a problem since then, and we suffer as a result of it.
Another problem is the insect, as it is connected to the first issue, as the increase in
water contamination is increasing the number of insects in the area. There are
existing studies that have conducted bioremediation and insect exterminating
processes and products. According to the study of Benjamin, Lima, and Rathoure
(2015), genetically engineered microorganisms and bioremediation are alternative,
environmentally friendly, more effective, and economical clean-up techniques for the
remediation of pollutants present in contaminated sites, as they not only separate the
pollution from the water but also destroy the contaminants. According to the study of
Can, Dogan, and Ozyigit (2020), metal phytoremediation by genetically engineered
plants is more effective in removing metals from contaminated sites through
mechanisms involving phytochelatin and metallothionein proteins, toxicity, plant
species, methods of gene transfer, and gene editing. According to the study by
Asadollahi, Azarmi, Khoobdel, Mosawi, and Zahraei-Ramazani (2019), plant-based
repellents are effective against Anopheles mosquitoes as they kill the insects that
surround the plants.

The current studies show the result of using genetically engineered microbes
and plants to remove pollution from water and the effectivity of using a plant-based
insect repellant, yet there is a lack of information about the plants that are suitable as
both water-contaminated purifiers and cleansers and insect repellants. The chemical
substances can be used to increase the ability of removing water pollution and to
produce insect repellant odor and fluid that are safe for both the environment and
animals. The previous studies also show a low effectiveness rate, high cost, and
impractical usage. In addition, this study will utilize microbes, chemical substances,
duckweeds, and sweet basil that will be genetically modified and inserted into water
lilies that govern the safety of the environment and marine animals.

Main Research Questions

1. What genetic modification can be applied to a water lily to become a water

contaminated purifier and cleanser?
2. What are the substances and traits that are effective for insect extermination
and safe for the environment and marine animals?
3. What is the effectiveness of genetically modified water lilies in terms of:
1. Water contaminated purifier and cleanser.
2. Insect repellant.

Research Design, Methods and Materials

This study will use a quantitative experimental method, specifically a quasi-

experimental design and a descriptive-developmental method, to conduct the
experiment and determine the effectiveness of the modified water lilies in water-
contaminated purifiers, cleansers, and insect repellants. The researcher will also
utilize the parts of the qualitative method in order to state and explain the results and
progress of the experiments. This research will use instruments such as
experiments, control groups, experimental groups, and observation. This approach
will help the researcher obtain and collect the needed data in order to conduct the
study.

To conduct the experiment, the main procedures of the study are the use of
recombinant DNA technology, such as the transformation using a vector and
protoplast fusion. The transformation using a vector will be used to isolate and insert
the desired traits of duckweeds, which are the ability to clean the contaminated
water, to water lily first, and then the desired traits of sweet basil, which are the
antimicrobial and insect repellent properties. To increase the effectiveness of the
modified genome, the researcher will use protoplast fusion to insert the chemical
substances that will aid the effect by boosting the scent and fluid that the modified
water lilies release.

Lastly, the gene of modified water lilies will be modified, specifically the size will
become smaller than normal, the reproduction of lilies will be slower, and the
numbers will be limited to avoid excessive numbers of the lilies.

Submitted by: Joey Jr. B. Garcia Submitted to: Maria Ilda M. Lotivio

General Biology 2
 12-STEM

References

Asadollahi, A., Azarmi, S., Khoobdel, M., Mosawi, S., & Zahraei-Ramazani, A.
(2019). Effectiveness of plant-based repellents against different Anopheles species:
a systematic review. 21;18(1):436. Retrieved on March 30, 2024, Doi:
10.1186/s12936-019-3064-8. PMID: 31864359; PMCID: PMC6925501.
BBC – Gardening – Gardening Guides – Techniques – Dividing water lilies.
(2009). Retrieved on March 30, 2024,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/propagation_dividewaterlilies1.s
html#:~:text=Healthy%20water%20lilies%20grow%20rapidly%20and%20it%27s
%20possible,to%20transform%20your%20pond%20into%20a%20Monet-inspired
%20artwork%21.
Benjamin, S., R., Lima, F., & Rathoure, A. (2015). Genetically Engineered
Microorganisms for Bioremediation Processes: GEMs for Bioremediaton.
10.4018/978-1-4666-9734-8.ch006. Retrieved on March 30, 2024,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291352400_Genetically_Engineered_Micro
organisms_for_Bioremediation_Processes_GEMs_for_Bioremediaton.
Borisjuk, N., Kishchenmo, O., Stephaneko, A., Xu, J., & Zhou, Y. (2023).
Duckweeds for Phytoremediation of Polluted Water. Plants (Basel). 12(3): 589.
Retrieved on March 30, 2024, Doi: 10.3390/plants12030589. PMID: 36771672;
PMCID: PMC991976.
Can, H., Dogan, I. & Ozyigit, I.I. (2020). Phytoremediation using genetically
engineered plants to remove metals: a review. Environ Chem Lett 19, 669–698.
Retrieved on March 30, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01095-6.
Husna, Ismalia & Setyaningrum, Endah & Handayani, Tundjung & Kurnia,
Yogi & Kinarya P, Endah & Umam, Rofiqul & Andriana, Bibin. (2020). Utilization of
Basil Leaf Extract as Anti-Mosquito Repellent: A Case Study of Total Mosquito
Mortality (Aedes aegypti 3rd Instar). Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 1467.
Retrieved on March 30, 2024, 10.1088/1742-6596/1467/1/012014.
Priest, T. (2023). Duckweed: Everything you need to know about this tiny
green plant. Learn the Aquarium. Retrieved on March 30, 2024,
https://www.learntheaquarium.com/duckweed/.
Spengler, T. (2022). The Characteristics of a Water Lily. Hunker. Retrieved on
March 30, 2024, https://www.hunker.com/13427951/the-characteristics-of-a-water-
lily.
Sweet Basil Uses, Benefits & Dosage Herbal Database. (2024). Drugs.com.
Retrieved on March 30, 2024, https://www.drugs.com/npp/sweet-basil.html.
 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024, March 22). Water lily |
Description, Flower, Characteristics, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved on
March 30, 2024, https://www.britannica.com/plant/water-lily.