A Science Investigatory Project

Citrus Hand Sanitizer

Submitted by:

Lasam, Antonette
ABSTRACT

My main purpose in conducting this study is to help create a product which is

cheaper and could use the same quality as the one through the use of oranges.

This study aims to help people who do not have enough money to buy expensive

hand sanitizer. It also helps the us to determine the similarities and differences of

the two products have by comparing their qualities. The procedure in making this

product is simple. First, scrape the gel inside the Aloe Vera leaves. After scraping

the gel, the group put it a plastic container and added 1 cup of Ethyl alcohol and 2

teaspoons of Glycerin. Next, grate the orange to get the zest and add it to the

mixture, then, mix till well blended. Lastly, the group recycled a small bottle that

was used as a container for the mixture. I concluded that the Aloe Vera gel can be

used to make the hand sanitizer more jelly and the zest of the orange more

hydrating to the skin. It is easy to make since the materials used are found in

stores and have the cheapest price. I am confident that the product is effective

because of the Ethyl alcohol. I am advised to use more Aloe Vera for the product

to be more jelly.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to give their heartfelt gratitude to the people who helped in making

and considering this study and for the success of the of the project. First, the

parents who gave their time to help and support me in conducting this study.

Second, my teacher who was always there when I have questions or problems that

needs to be solved. And last but not the least, to our dear God who guided me in

the right path and for all the blessings that I have received.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

As a researcher, I need to solve the following problems:

1. How cheap will it be compared to other hand sanitizer?

2. How effective is the citric hand sanitizer compared with other products?

3. Does it have side effects?

4. Does the Citrus Hand Sanitizer can make hands dry?

INTRODUCTION

Whenever the people’s hands used to get dirty, people used to go in

search of a good soap and water. This used to become a great inconvenience

especially when travelling. Water spills and soap not getting rinsed properly and

of course, water wastage, all these factors contributed to the discovery of

something called as hand sanitizer.

HYPOTHESIS

 Does Citrus Hand Sanitizer kill a significant amount of bacteria and other

microorganisms?

If you use Citrus Hand Sanitizer to clean your hands, using it will remove

significant amount of bacteria and microorganisms because using hand sanitizer

does not require you to touch the sink.

METHODOLOGY

I will be making a hand sanitizer out of materials that can be found in homes and

that are cheap to buy.

I found out that Citrus fruits are cheap and easy to buy especially when it is in

season. Citrus fruits also have a high quantity of Vitamin C that make the skin

healthy and prevent it from drying that’s why I chose this as my primary

ingredient for my product – home-made Citrus hand sanitizer.

Alcohols that have 70%-up solution are mostly found on homes and are cheap in

the market. I have chosen this ingredient because of its cleaning properties when

it comes to germs and bacteria that can cause sickness in people.

I will be making a hand sanitizer out of the following materials:

 ½ cup of Aloe Vera gel

 2 teaspoons of Glycerin
  1 cup of Ethyl alcohol

 zest of a 1 whole orange.

The first thing that I did was scrape the gel inside the Aloe Vera leaves. After

scraping the gel, I put it in a plastic container and added 1 cup of Ethyl alcohol

and 2 teaspoons of Glycerin. Next, grate the orange to get the zest and add it to

the mixture, then, mix till well blended. Lastly, I recycled a small bottle that was

used as a container for the mixture.

RESULTS

FINDINGS

As a researcher I conducted a list of findings on the product

Features Citric Hand Commercial Hand

Sanitizer Sanitizer

Colour brownish-yellowish clear color

color

Fragrance orange-y fruity

Texture sticky smooth

This table showed the results of the survey. 5 different people tested the Citric

Hand Sanitizer in each trial.

Criteria Citric Hand Commercial Hand

Sanitizer Sanitizer

Affordable 5 -

Fragrance 3 2

Effectivity 2 3

RESULTS

In Criteria #1, 5 different people agreed that the group’s product was affordable.
In Criteria #2, 5 people tested the product by smelling. 3 out of 5 agreed that the

fragrance was not harsh on the nose when it’s being smelled.

In Criteria #3, 2 out of 5 people agreed that the product was effective to use.

CONCLUSION

I, therefore conclude that the citrus hand sanitizer was confidently a success

because of the presence of Ethyl alcohol that made it more disinfectant and the

ingredients used to make the hand sanitizer were readily available and easily

accessible in the market.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In the findings that I have conducted, I respectfully recommend some instructions

for better results.

1. It is optional to put essential oil for the sake of your nose not to be irritated

with the smellof the original essence.

2. You should put more Aloe Vera gel than the ethyl alcohol to make the hand

sanitizer jelly.