CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM

INTRODUCTION

Cleaning agent refers to all compositions intended to be used in connection with

and for increasing the effectiveness of cleaning activities. Cleaning agent includes but is

not limited to hard surface cleaning compositions (kitchen, bathroom, floor, general

household & glass cleaning compositions), detergents, dishwashing and food cleaning

compositions, disinfectants and the like. The term cleaning as used herein refers to those

activities which involve the removal of undesirable residues from surfaces and particularly

includes activities such as chemical, mechanical and thermal cleaning activities as well

as combinations thereof.

Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) is called a miracle vegetable because it is not only

a food, it is also a medicine. It may therefore be a functional food. This plant tree is not

only useful but it is the most nutritional vegetable and a herbal plant. Its flowers, leaves,

young pods and roots are being utilized. It is native to India but has spread to other tropical

regions; in the Philippines, it grows rapidly and with ease in nearly every backyard when

desired. Its leaves contain different amino acids such as sit sterol and pectin esterase.

This study was conducted because the researcher wanted to know if the

malunggay leaves can be an effective cleaning agent to household stains. Through this

the researcher will determine the effect of malunggay leaves to common household

stains. This is why the research study is conceived.

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 This research aims to determine if the malunggay can address the following

questions at the end :

1. Can the malunggay leaves be an effective cleaning agent on common

household

Stains.

2. Is there any significant difference between the malunggay leaves and the

commercial one?

3. Is the cleaning agent suitable in replacing the commercial one?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research study can contribute an idea to young minds in creating new

alternative cleaning agents derived from any abundant plants. Research studies like this

develops the value of resourcefulness and open-mindedness to young researchers and

if landed to the right plant, this will serve as an everyday use to clean common household

stains.

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 CHAPTER 3
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Malunggay (Moringa

oleifera) is the most widely cultivated

species of the genus Moringa, which is

the only genus in the family

Moringaceae. English common names

include: moringa, drumstick tree (from

the appearance of the long, slender,

triangular seed-pods), horseradish

tree (from the taste of the roots, which

resembles horseradish), ben oil tree, or benzoil tree (from the oil which is derived from

the seeds). It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to the southern foothills of

the Himalayas in northwestern India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical

areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables. It can also be used

for water purification and hand washing, and is sometimes used in herbal medicine.

M. oleifera is a fast-growing, deciduous tree that can reach a height of 10–12 m (32–

40 ft.) and trunk diameter of 45 cm (1.5 ft.). The bark has a whitish-grey color and is

surrounded by thick cork. Young shoots have purplish or greenish-white, hairy bark. The

tree has an open crown of drooping, fragile branches and the leaves build up a feathery

foliage of trip innate leaves.

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The flowers are fragrant and asexual, surrounded by five unequal, thinly veined,

yellowish-white petals. The flowers are about 1.0-1.5 cm (1/2") long and 2.0 cm (3/4")

broad. They grow on slender, hairy stalks in spreading or drooping flower clusters which

have a length of 10–25 cm.

Flowering begins within the first six months after planting. In seasonally cool

regions, flowering only occurs once a year between April and June. In more constant

seasonal temperatures and with constant rainfall, flowering can happen twice or even all

year-round.

The fruit is a hanging, three-sided brown capsule of 20–45 cm size which holds dark

brown, globular seeds with a diameter around 1 cm. The seeds have three whitish papery

wings and are dispersed by wind and water.

In cultivation, it is often cut back annually to 1–2 m (3–6 ft.) and allowed to regrow so

the pods and leaves remain within arm's reach.

Cultivation

The moringa tree is grown mainly in semiarid, tropical, and subtropical areas,

corresponding in the United States to USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10. It tolerates a wide

range of soil conditions, but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.3 to 7.0), well-drained

sandy or loamy soil. In waterlogged soil, the roots have a tendency to rot. Moringa is a

sun- and heat-loving plant, thus does not tolerate freezing or frost. Moringa is particularly

suitable for dry regions, as it can be grown using rainwater without expensive irrigation

techniques.

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Production area

India is the largest producer of moringa, with an annual production of 1.1 to 1.3

million tonnes of fruits from an area of 380 km². Among Indian states, Andhra

Pradesh leads in both area and production (156.65 km²) followed

by Karnataka (102.8 km²) and Tamil Nadu (74.08 km²).[citation needed]

Moringa is grown in home gardens in West Bengal and Odisha and as living fences

in southern India and Thailand, where it is commonly sold in local markets. In

the Philippines and Indonesia, it is commonly grown for its leaves which are used as food.

Moringa is also actively cultivated by the World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, a center for

vegetable research. In Haiti, it is grown as windbreaks and to help reduce soil erosion.

More generally, moringa grows in the wild or is cultivated in Central America and

the Caribbean, northern countries of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia and various

countries of Oceania.

As of 2010, cultivation in Hawaii, for commercial distribution in the United States, is in its

early stages.

Cultivation practice

Soil preparations

In tropical cultivation, soil erosion is a major problem. Therefore, the soil treatment

has to be as shallow as possible. Plowing is required only for high planting densities. In

low planting densities, "it is better to dig pits and refill them with the soil. This ensures

good root system penetration without causing too much land erosion. The pits must be

30 to 50 cm deep, and 20 to 40 cm wide.

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 Propagation

Moringa can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Direct seeding is possible

because the germination rate of M. oleifera is high. Moringa seeds can be germinated

year-round in well-draining soil. Cuttings of 1 m length and at least 4 cm diameter can be

used for vegetative propagation.

Planting

For intensive leaf production, "the spacing of plants should be 15 x 15 cm or 20 x

10 cm, with conveniently spaced alleys (for example: every 4 m) to facilitate plantation

management and harvests. Weeding and disease prevention are difficult because of the

high density. In a semi-intensive production, the plants are spaced 50 cm to 1 m apart.

This gives good results with less maintenance.

Moringa trees can also be cultivated in alleys, as natural fences and associated

with other crops. The distance between Moringa rows in an agroforestry cultivation is

usually between 2 and 4 meters.

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 CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODS

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

The research about malunggay as a cleaning agent was conducted at Cagayan

de Oro City, in which the researcher distributed a sample of the agent in the various

households for them to have a try in the effectiveness of the certain product.

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INSTRUMENTS

Materials:

5 cups malunggay leaves

mortar and pestle

5 tsp. water

container

2 1/2 tsp. baking soda

sponge

Procedure

Pound the malunggay leaves using mortar and pestle to get the extract of

it. Mix the pounded malunggay leaves with baking soda and then water. After

mixing, place the mixture on a container.

Testing

Using the sponge, apply the mixture on stained areas (kitchen sink,

refrigerator wall and tile walls). After cleaning/applying the mixtures on stained

areas, rinse immediately. Observation was then done.

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 CHAPTER 4
DATA ANALYSIS

This chapter shows the results and discussions of my research paper entitled "The

Malunggay Leaves as a Cleaning Agent". It shows the ratings and comments of people

who tried to use the researcher’s product.

The researcher made two set of surveys for her to ensure the accuracy of the

details in the conducted research. Through this, the researcher can tell the effectiveness

of the certain product.

Legend:

1 – Excellent 3 – Good 5 - Poor

2 – Very Good 4 – Fair

Survey #1. Effectiveness of the Product

Household Areas
Names Kitchen Sink Refrigerator Tile Wall Remarks
Wall
Person 1
2 2 2 Very Good
Person 2
3 2 3 Good
Person 3
4 3 3 Good
Person 4
4 3 4 Fair

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Survey #2. Effectiveness of the Product
Household Areas
Names Kitchen Sink Refrigerator Tile Wall Remarks
Wall
Person 1
2 2 2 Very Good
Person 2
2 2 3 Very Good
Person 3
3 2 2 Very Good
Person 4
1 2 2 Excellent

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 CHAPTER 5
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

CONCLUSION

After the two conducted surveys, the research shows that the product “Malunggay
as a Cleaning Agent” acquired good outputs because of the positive feedbacks of the
people who tried to use the product in their respective households. Therefore, the
researcher can really say that her product can address the following:

1. Malunggay leaves with baking soda can remove stains on common household

stains,

2. The commercial is still better than the product,

3. There is no significant difference between the product and the commercial one.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The research resulted into a smooth yet not close to its full extent. So the

researcher recommend further extended studies on improving or creating other plant

alternatives. Furthermore, additional readings and more informations about the study is

highly appreciated.

REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera

http://karenblones.blogspot.com

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