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CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

One of our most important weapons in fighting bacterial infections is

antibiotics. Since its introduction, it has greatly benefited the health-related

quality of human life. However, in the past few decades these health benefits are

under risks since many common used antibiotics are getting ineffective against

certain illnesses not only because many of them produces toxins but also, due to

the emergence of drug resistant bacteria. Traditional medicines are one of the

primary healthcare systems in other developing countries.

In an effort to further investigate and expand the spectrum of antibacterial

agents from other plants, Averrhoa carambola (Star Fruit), a species of tree in

the family Oxalidaceae, especially its leaves has been selected. The fruit is used

for the treatment of throat inflammations and respiratory ailments. The leaves of

the plant are used in the treatment of chickenpox, ringworms and tinea.

Studies proved that the A. carambola has indicated the presence of

phytochemical constituents in leaves namely: alkaloids, glycosides, phenol,

tannins, flavonoids, protein and diterpenes (Stuart, G. 2016). In the current study

that is to be carried out, a screening of the plant extract of A. carambola (Star

Fruit) leaves in its ability in controlling bacterial growth is to be done to come up

with new information as a new source of antibacterial agent.

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Statement of the Problem

The study aims to determine the efficiency of the antibacterial property of

the leaf extract of Averrhoa carambola (Star Fruit).

Specifically, it answers the following questions:

1. What is the zone of inhibition of A. carambola on Escherichia coli?

2. What is the zone of inhibition of A. carambola on Bacillus subtilis?

3. Is there a significant difference in the following:

3.1 mean zone of inhibition of a bacteria using the extract

Hypothesis

1. There is no significant difference in the mean zone of inhibition of the two

bacteria using the ethanolic extract.

Scope and Limitations

The study is to be conducted to determine the efficiency of the leaf extract

of Averrhoa carambola (Star fruit) leaves against bacteria and fungi.

The test for antibacterial has three treatments, namely: T1 is the distilled

water as the negative control; T2 is the Amoxicillin (antibiotic drug) as the positive

control; T3 is the extract of Averrhoa carambola (Star fruit) leaves. Each

treatment has three replicates.

The test subjects for antibacterial test are Escherichia coli and Bacillus

subtilis.
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The study determines the effect of ethanolic extract of A. carambola (Star

Fruit) leaves on the mean zone of inhibition for the two bacteria.

The study will be conducted at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University,

Science Laboratory and the materials are to be collected at Alabel, Sarangani

Province. The statistical tool to be used is ANOVA test.

Significance of the Study

The study aims to know the efficiency of the antibacterial property of the

leaf extract of A. carambola (Star fruit) leaves.

This study is useful in the field of medicine providing enough information

and data about the bioactivity of the leaf extract of A. carambola (Star fruit) in the

inhibition of bacteria.

This also helps other researchers and can use this study as source of data,

in case they would conduct a similar study considering the other potentials of the

extract of A. carambola (Star fruit) leaves such as an alternative source of

medicine.

The researchers will be able to discover a solution to the question

regarding the efficiency of the leaf extract of A. carambola (Star Fruit) in

controlling bacterial growth.

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Definition of Terms

These are the following terms that are used in the study and they are

defined in this section.

Antibacterial activity is an activity that destroys bacteria or suppresses

their growth or their ability to reproduce.

Zone of Inhibition is a clear region around the paper disc saturated with

an antimicrobial agent on the agar surface.

Bacillus subtilis is a gram positive, rod-shaped bacteria commonly found

in soil. This bacterium will be used as the test subject for antibacterial test.

Escherichia coli is a gram negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic,

coliform bacterium that is commonly found in lower intestine of warm-blooded

organisms. This bacterium will be used as the test subject for antibacterial test.

Filter Disk Diffusion test in this test, disks containing antibiotics or

extracts are placed on an agar plate where bacteria have been placed, and the

plate is left to incubate. This test is used to prove the antibacterial efficiency of

the plant extract of A. carambola.

Rotary Evaporator is a device used in chemical laboratories for the

efficient and gentle removal of solvents from samples by evaporation. This

device is used to obtain the extract from the plant sample.