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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
There were many useful plants abundantly growing here in the Philippines. Most of
them were herbal plants that could cure severe diseases such as cancer and other related
sicknesses. Others are considered as useful plants by farmers because of their varied uses in
the farm. One of them was Madre de Cacao or locally known as kakawate but scientifically
known as Gliricidia sepium. This plant was a nitrogenfixing tree. In some areas, it was
referred to as a quickstick due to its characteristic of growing almost right away just by
cutting it and directly planting it in the ground. It was also rumored to be a potential insectrepellant and the researcher wanted to examine this assertion.
Pest control had always been a major problem in most of the corner of every house,
farm, backyard, and even out in the open areas. Disease-carrying insects were the ones
most especially needed to be eliminated. This phenomenon led to the production of such
Insecticides were any toxic substances that were used to kill insects; but in some
cases, they were also poisonous to people and caused several kinds of diseases including
cancer and allergy. Such substances were used primarily to control pests that infested
cultivated plants or to eliminate disease-carrying insects in specific areas. Most insecticides
were sprayed or dusted onto plants and other surfaces traversed or fed upon by insects. The
early production of pesticides was made with the aid of hazardous chemicals that could
also harm the health of each and every on of us. It was not advisable to use because of its
harmful effects to humans. Hence, there have been several studies to establish a substitute
to these hazardous insectrepellants. The researcher replicated the same pest control
activity using the extracts from the kakawate leaves, or scientifically known as Gliricidia
sepium.
For a hundred of years, botanists all over the world discovered that plants could be
used as a healing herb, pesticide, insecticide and an insect-repellant. Examples of these
plants are:
Worms, bugs and other rice pests are an enigma to many farmers as these are threats
to rice production. And to most farmers, commercial insecticides and pesticides are the
most effective and readily available pest controls. What they do not realize is that these
cost them added expenses not to mention the bad effects of these chemicals to health and
environment. (Agriculture Business Week, 2010)
The early production of pesticides is made with the aid of hazardous materials that
can also harm the health of each and every one of us. It is not advisable to use because of
its harmful effects too. There have been several studies to establish a substitute to these
The popular use of madre cacao leaves as a repellant to rice case worms by farmers
in the locality promoted the research of Fidelismo Beltran in evaluating this plant specie for
possible use as pesticide to control sweet potato weevil.
(Fidelismo Beltran, May l990)
A research study was made by Ligaya Cintura, Chona Joy Lumabao, and Domingo
Diaz on kakawate or madre cacao as an organic pesticide on diamond moth. Results
revealed that the organic pesticide significantly affected the control and treatment of the
insects. (Cintura, 2011).
It was for this reason that the researcher has decided to conduct an experiment on
the use of plant resources, which is kakawate, with known toxic properties which are
abundant in the locality using cockroach as a controlled variable.
The study entitled Gliricidia Sepium as an Insecticide has the general objective of
coming up with an alternative insecticide that is cheaper, organic, effective for
cockroaches. As found out by Dr. Alfredo R. Rabena, Head of the Research and
Development Office of the University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, the
leaves of the kakawate tree of Mexican Lilac (Gliricidia sepium) contain coumarins, an
effective botanopesticide. This idea was the basis of this study and experimentation.
Household today are plagued with the perennial problems of house pests, one of
which is cockroach. Cockroaches have been around for million of years. They outlived the
dinosaur, survived disasters and still continue to pester man to this day. They sneak around
anywhere from sewers to tables, feasting greedily on wastes and foods. As a result, they
transmit germs that can cause food poisoning, infections and diarrhea. (Manila Bulletin,
l991)
Many species of cockroaches are found throughout the world. Some infest the
households and they are frequently found in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and groceries.
Their presence is so objectionable that they are considered among the worst of domestic
pests. (Davidson and Lyon, l979)
The relevance of this research lies on its possible solution of getting rid of house
pests like the cockroaches through the production of an insecticide which is locally made,
involves lesser cost and readily available in the surroundings. (Ambros, 1991)
The use of kakawate as insecticide may bring comfort and good health within the
household. If pests like cockroach are not controlled, they infect the foods and grains in
the house. (Ross, l965)
This study served as further encouragement for more scientific research in the
utilization of our plant resources leading to national progress by way of reducing
importation of insecticide and preserving the environment. (Ambros, l991)
However, the
The researcher was only restricted in using a commercialized material, 70% ethyl
alcohol or ethanol, for the digestion of the kakawate leaves. Once the leaves were
extracted, it would be placed in a sprayer and would be tested to kill cockroaches. In using
the ethanol, different variation of volume of it was used in constant amount of leaves to
identify which volume of the alcohol could yield the most effective insecticide. Why use
alcohol? All tannins have several common properties amongst them. While the tannins are
soluble in water and alcohol, they do not dissolve in organic solutions.
Again, when
reacted with nitrogeneous bases, polysaccharides, some alkaloids, few glycosides and
proteins, all tannins form precipitates. (http:www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/tannins.htm)
The kakawate extract was only tested to cockroaches, and the extract was made by
following only the given procedure. No additional chemicals to inhibit or to affect the
efficiency of the said insecticide were added. The researcher saw the effectiveness of the
kakawate leaves in killing the cockroaches.
Conceptual
Framework
1.
GRINDING
2.
SOAKING
(5 hours)
3.
FILTERING
4.
MIXING
5.
SPRAYING
6.
OBSERVING
7.
INTERPRETATION
Note: The respondents were given the extract with most potent solution (150 ml ethanol)
and they did the experiments themselves. (spraying and observing)
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chemical
substance
that
repels
insects
(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/insect+repellant)
e. cockroach - any of an order (Blattaria) of insects with long feelers, and a flat
soft body; some species are common household pests (New World Dictionary)
f. toxic - poison (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
g. pest - any destructive or troublesome insect, small animal, weed, etc. (Webster
New World Dictionary)
h. effectiveness - efficiency (Webster New World Dictionary)
i. respondents - persons who respond or answer (Webster New World Dictionary)
j. flora - plants or plant life especially of a region or period (The MerriamWebster Dictionary)
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12
2.1
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
What is an Astringent?
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cause
the
mouth
to
pucker,
such
as
lemons,
pomegranates,
and persimmons. Tannins, such as those found in teas and wines, are also astringents, since
they cause the mouth to feel dry and constricted. Many of these tannins, such as oak bark,
are used to produce astringent products for both medical and cosmetic use.
The word's origins can be found in the Latin astringere, which means to bind fast.
An astringent can be said to have astringency when someone is describing its properties.
When an astringent is applied to living tissue, it does indeed cause the tissue to bind fast to
itself, causing it to shrink. This property can be extremely useful for a variety of
applications.
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Related Studies -
22
Dr. Rabena and Dr. Nelia Aman, and Engr. Franklin Amistad have discovered that
the ash of kakawate can be a good concrete mixture for ceramics. Its charcoal is a good
moisture and odor absorbent, too. Kakawate leaves can be used also to de-worm pigs. Just
have the swine eat ample leaves and the parasites will not live long. If these uses are not
enough, then remember that kakawates flowers can be made into salad or into dinengdeng,
a delicious Ilokano veggie dish.
Thesis on Effectiveness of Nerium Indicum as Insecticide to House Pests Blatta Orientalis
(Cockroaches), Francisca Aquino-Ambros, May 1991
The Philippines is endowed with a rich supply of flora both land and sea. There are
more than 8,000 species of plants and several of these have pesticidal properties.
The study of the utilization of the toxic substances by plants in our environment to
control pests has gained recognition in the previous years and this is a positive approach in
meeting the current worldwide economic crisis problem. The natural product of plants has
been tapped to provide a vast source of toxic substances that may be utilized in the control
of pests.
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This study hoped to contribute to the upliftment of the present economic status,
which our country is experiencing nowadays due to global oil crisis and natural calamities.
This study will show the advantages of using a specified plant over the commercial
insecticide because of the availability of such plant in the community, its ease in processing
whereby housewives will not have a difficulty in adding chemical to extract the flower and
it does not pose hazard to environmental pollution that is detrimental to human health.
This study will also serve as further encouragement for more scientific research on the
utilization of our own plant resources leading to national progress by way of reducing of
importation of insecticide and preserving the environment.
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In the rural area of Thailand, the people like to use extracted nut from stemma
specie for the control of animal and human pests such as lice, flee, etc. (Sombatsiri &
Pathumachartpat, l979
Carino (196l) screened nine composite species for insecticide.
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26
Standard procedures for the preparation and the application of the plant extracts were
presented here in Methodology. The kakawate leaves were gathered. Those with sign of
infestation on the leaves were rejected and the only leaves with healthy dark green color
were the ones collected and would be used as raw materials. The method was extraction
and variation of volume of ethanol in killing the cockroaches.
3.1 Standard Procedures for the preparation and application of the plant extracts
1. Select plant leaves that are free from diseases.
2. When storing the plant parts for future usage, make sure that they are properly dried
and are stored in an airy container, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Make sure
that they are free from molds before using them.
3. Use utensils for the extract preparation that are not used for your food preparation and
for drinking and cooking water containers. Clean properly all the utensils every time
after using them.
4. Do not have a direct contact with the crude extract while in the process of the
preparation and during the application.
5. Make sure that you place the plant extract out of reach of children and house pets while
leaving it overnight.
6. Wear protective clothing while applying the plant extract.
7. Wash your hands after handling the plant extract.
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3.1.2
Kakawate leaves
strain cloth
sprayer
5 live cockroaches
250 ml beakers
70% ethanol
weighing scale
basin
graduated cylinder
Erlenmeyers flask
water
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3.2 Analysis
The researcher analyzed the effect or efficiency of the variation of volume of
ethanol in killing the cockroach. The volume of the ethanol that was used for each trial
started at 150 ml and was increased incrementally by 10 ml until the 190 ml limit was
reached. The most efficient amount of soaking solution for the ground kakawate leaves is
150 ml.
Cockroach
No. of Sprays
1st
150
100
20
2nd
160
100
20
3rd
170
100
20
4th
180
100
20
5th
190
100
20
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30
Cockroach
Volume of the
ethanol (ml)
added to 100 gm
of kakawate
Volume of the
extract (ml)
added to 100 ml
of water
No. of Sprays
1st
150
100
20
8.0
2nd
160
100
20
15.0
3rd
170
100
20
24.0
4th
180
100
20
33.0
5th
190
100
20
45.0
The last column on the table stated the length of time in minutes before the cockroach
died. The researcher noticed a great difference. Just like in 150 ml and 160 ml of ethanol,
it was 8.0 minutes and 15.0 minutes respectively. The experiment proved that the extract
with the lower volume of the alcohol have the highest capacity on the killing of the
cockroach. Hence, the volume of the alcohol greatly affected the efficiency of the extracts.
It was noted that the lesser the volume of the alcohol, the greater was its efficiency in
killing the cockroach.
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4.2
The 30
respondents unanimously said YES. That was an indication of the effectiveness of the
product. The number two (2) question: Was the kakawate extract an effective cockroach
killer? The 30 respondents all said YES. That was clear indication that the kakawate
extract was effective. In number three (3) question: If taught with the proper method of
making the kakawate extract, will you do it on your own? Twenty five of the respondents
affirmed their agreement, while five of the respondents said NO. The researcher inquired
about the reasons for their answers. It was because they did not have the time to do it. In
the number four (4) question: Do you believe that the kakawate extract will not harm
people and the environment?, two respondents said NO. The others were unanimous in
saying that it was a safe alternative to the commercial pesticides.
Some respondents had favorable comments in question number five (5) like: Sana
ay maituro sa bawat isa ang proseso nito upang mawala ang mga ipis na nakapagdudulot ng
sakit.; Effective; Environmental-friendly!; Ito na yung maganda malaman natin tungkol sa
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SURVEY RESULTS
NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS = 30
QUESTIONS
YES
NO
30
(100%)
0
0%
30
(100%)
0
0%
25
(83.37%)
5
(16.67%)
28
(93.33%)
2
(6.76%)
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CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION, CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary
Gliricidia sepium, locally known as madre de cacao or kakawate, is a nitrogenfixing tree and easily grown in the localities just by cutting and planting it in the ground.
Studies revealed many uses of kakawate leaves like fertilizer, termite and rat killer, antifungal, and as an organic pesticide on diamond moth, as repellant to rice case worms and to
control sweet potato weevil. Dr. Alfredo Rabena, head of the Research and Development
Office of the University of Northern Philippines found out that the leaves of kakawate
contain coumarin that can kill almost all types of insects. And coumarin contains tannin
that is considered potentially anti-diarrhea, anti-dysenteric, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant,
bactericidal, hepato-protective, pesticide and act as an astringent.
Insecticides are any toxic substances that are used to kill insects but in some cases,
it is hazardous to people and the environment. Due to the rising cost of commercial
insecticides and the problem of leaving toxic residues on food, water and atmosphere, it has
become an objective of the researcher to develop and explore alternative control measures.
The study and experiment was done to prove that kakawate leaves or Gliricidia
sepium could be a potential insecticide because of its components. Healthy kakawate leaves
were gathered and ground. They were saturated for five hours in 70% ethanol, then filtered
and mixed with water to come up with the extracted kakawate to be sprayed on live
cockroaches. The efficiency of this organic insecticide was made through sample
35
It was
shown in the tabulated data that the extract of kakawate with lowest volume of 70%
ethanol (150 ml) had the highest capacity in killing the cockroaches. Hence, the volume of
the ethanol greatly affected the efficiency of the extract. The dark green kakawate and
ethanol extracts contained hydrolyzed tannin that acted as astringent that caused the
contraction of the tissues. It was the main reason why the dead cockroach was somewhat
bulgy and hard, and its feet were not stretched out
The researcher has achieved his general objective of coming up with an alternative
insecticide that is cheaper, organic and effective. This alternative and eco-friendly
insecticide came from the extracts of kakawate leaves.
5.2 Conclusion
The extracted dark green ethanol solution from the kakawate leaves (scientifically
known as Gliricidia sepium) was proven to be a potential organic insecticide. It contained
hydrolyzed tannin that act as an astringent that causes the contraction of tissues of the
cockroach. Tannins are polyphenols that are obtained from various parts of different plants
belonging to multiple species. An astringent is a substance which causes biological tissue
36
According to Dr. Alfredo Rabena, head of the Research and Development Office of
the University of Northern Philippines, the leaves of the kakawate tree contains coumarin,
an effective botanopesticide. He found that kakawate leaves is a good source of coumarine
that
can
kill
almost
all
types
of
pests
and
insects.
(http://www-
agribusinessweek.com/kakawate/leaf-an-effective-pesticide)
New World Dictionary defines coumarin as crystalline substance C9H6O2, with the
odor of vanilla, obtained from the tonka beans and certain plants or made synthetically.
Coumarin contains tannin that is also known as astringent.
Therefore, I conclude, that extracts from kakawate leaves have coumarin that
contains tannin. This is the reason why the dead cockroach was somewhat bulgy and hard,
and its feet are not stretched out.
The leaves, after extraction, turned pale green in color because the coumarin
containing tannin was dissolved in ethanol. The tannin was the one responsible for the
green plastic-like cover of the kakawate leaves. It served as their protection from their
predators; it was poisonous to some animals and even to human. Too much intake of
37
Upon spraying of the insecticide, kakawate plus ethanol solution, it was observed
that the cockroach aggressively reacted to it. Each one of the five cockroaches became
hyperactive but at some point, each one of them lost the strength and suddenly stopped
moving. Then, after several moments, each one of the cockroaches died. The different
concentration affected the efficiency of the product. I therefore, conclude, that the lower
the concentration, in terms of tannin from the leaves, the lesser was the tendency for it to
kill insects. It was also noted that the saturation in certain volume of ethanol affected
extracts performance.
5.3 Recommendation
The organic insecticide derived from the kakawate leaves or scientifically known
as Gliricidia sepium is a lot cheaper than the commercially available inorganic insecticides.
The researcher recommends using this kakawate extracts because first of all, it is cheaper.
A respondent said that a 600 ml of Baygon, a known brand of insecticide, costs P279.75.
Second, it is not as hazardous as the inorganic insecticides that cause severe damage, not
only to people but also to the environment, causing environmental pollution. Therefore, it
is environmental friendly. Third, it is easy to make. With a cloth as strainer and a container,
the grounded kakawate leaves with ethanol can be easily extracted. And lastly, it is easy to
find in the locality most especially in the provinces. It is easy to propagate because it has
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Davidson, Ralph H. & Lyon, Willis. (1979). Insect Pests. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Guralnik, David. (1980). Websters New World Dictionary. United States of America:
William Collins Publishers, Inc.
Mish, Frederick. (1997). The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Springfield, Massachusetts,
USA; Merriam- Webster: William Collins Publishers, Inc.
Ross, Herbert, A. (1965). Textbook of Entomology. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Sambatsiri, K & Pathumachatpat W. (1979). New Insecticides from Plants. Bangkok,
Thailand: Department of Entemology, Kasetsart University.
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Manila Bulletin House Pests April 4, l991, Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation
Intramuros, Manila p.14
Tacadena S. (May 22nd, 2010) Re: Kakawate lead an effective Pesticide
http;//www.agribusinessweek.com/kakawate-leaf-an-effective-pesticide
Tannins(n.d.) Retrieved Feb 2nd, 2012., from herbs 2000.
http://www.herbs2000.com/h menu/tannins.htm
Smith S.E. (n.d.) What is an Astringent? Retrieved Feb 2nd, 2012, from wisegeek.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-astringent.htm
Insect Repellant (n.d.) Retrieved August 16, 2011, from free dictionary
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/insect+repellant
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