Chapter I

INTRODUCTION OF THE STUDY

A. Background of the Study

Nowadays, people are focusing in herbal plants especially

those who are common in the environment. One of the examples is

tawa-tawa plant; based on research this plant is good for healing

and treating wounds and other skin infections. It is also known as

curative for dengue fever.

In our research we want to make an anti-fungal soap out of it,

because we know that it is very effective. People, researchers and

scientist were focusing to medicinal plants they want to prove that

there are plants that are more effective against skin diseases and

infections. This study refers to a plant that can be made into

anti-fungal soap and improves its quality. We want people to handle

easily in treating their problems in skin diseases. Instead of

buying expensive means why not try alternatives, now it is easy to

apply and less expensive.

B. Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study aimed to determine the anti-fungal effect of

Tawa-tawa (Euphorbia Hirta) soap against Candida albicans.

Specifically, study sought to answer the following questions:

1
 1. Can Tawa-tawa (Euphorbia Hirta) be an anti-fungal soap against

Candida albicans?

2. Is there any significant difference between the produced

product and the commercial one in terms of growth inhibition of

Candida albicans?

C. Statement of the Hypothesis

1. Tawa-tawa (Euphorbia Hirta) cannot be an anti-fungal soap

against Candida albicans.

2. There is no significant difference between the produced

product and the commercial one in terms of growth inhibition of

Candida albicans.

D. Significance of the Study.

The scientific study was done to produce plants leaves extract

from tawa-tawa that has antifungal properties. The positive result

of this study will benefit the people suffering from fungal

infections, particularly skin diseases and skin problems.

These diseases are contagious that it can affect the whole

family if not treated well. This study was done to help people

acquire natural and effective remedy for skin diseases without

spending too much in buying expensive medicines. The anti-fungal

soap made from tawa-tawa is an alternative in curing skin problems.

This can also be compared to other anti-fungal soap and antifungal

products.

2
E. Scope and Limitation of the study

The study attempted to determine if tawa-tawa can be an anti-

fungal soap against Candida albicans. The study was conducted

from June-September 2012.The science investigation was conducted

at the biological research laboratory of the West Visayas State

University. Bioassay analysis were used to prove the hypothesis.

The limitation of the study was the time constraints, if enough

time was allotted, the result would be accurate.

3
 Chapter II

RESEACH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH PLAN

Procedural Design:

Specimen Collection/Sample Collection

Sample Extraction (Infusion)

Soap Making

Demolding

Bioassay

Incubation

Observation of Zone of Inhibition

Statistical Data

Analysis and Interpretation

4
 A. Materials Needed

The materials and equipments used in the preparation were the

following: 50mL Tawatawa extract, 110mL Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), 10mL

Diethanolamine, 190mL Coconut oil, Graduated cylinder, big plastic bowl,

big plastic bowl, beaker, weighing scale, stirring rod,casserole, Knife,

Molder, Piece of cloth and proper laboratory attire.

B. General Procedures

Soap Making

With proper attire of apron, mask, hairnet and gloves all needed

ingredients, materials and laboratory apparatus were gathered and

set.First step is infusion process, 200g of tawa-tawa leaves were

washed and boiled with 150mL of water in about 15minutes, prepare a

50mL extracted of tawa-tawa leaves. Next step is the soap making

process, prepare 110mL solution of Sodium Hydroxide and 190mL of

coconut oil, 10mL of diethanolamine and 50mL of tawa-tawa extract

mix it continuously until foamy emulsion produce and transfer it to

the molder, after placing to the molder cover it with cloth.

Demolding the cloth be in three days after.

Subculture of Pure Candida albicans Isolate

From the stock culture of Candida albicans obtained from the

microbiology laboratory of the West Visayas State University, the

isolated was subcultured aseptically into a sterile nutrient broth

tube and incubated at 370 C for 24 hours.

5
 Preparation of MHA Plates

Thirty grams of dehydrated Mueller-Hinton agar was weighed in

a weighing scale with aluminum foil. It was placed in a dry

Erlenmeyer flask and rehydrated with 1000mL of distilled water. The

medium was heated to melt the mouth of the flask covered with

cotton plug wrapped with aluminum foil and sealed with masking

tape. The flask was then sterilized in the autoclave at 1210 C for

15 minutes at 15 psi. The sterile medium was allowed to cool at

temperatures between 40-450 C and was placed in 6 empty sterile

Petri plates at 20mL each. The plates were allowed to cool and

hardened on a flat surface.

Bioassay Proper

The Six(6) plates were streaked with pure Candida

albicans.Three(3)plates were mark and labeled as Tawa-tawa soap/ca1,

Tawa-tawa soap/ca2, and Tawa-tawa soap/ca3. The middle sector was

added with sterile filter paper disc impregnated with tawa-tawa

soap. The same steps reserved for the positive control

(Clotrimazole. All plates were incubated in an inverted position at

370 C for 18-24 hours.

Data gathering

Zones of inhibition were measured using vernier caliper. The

average of the data taken from the zone of inhibition crosswise was

taken and recorded on a table. The data were treated statistically.

The results were analyzed and interpreted.

6
 Chapter III

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The study was conducted to find out the differences in the effect

of tawa-tawa soap and the commercial product against Candida

albicans.

Table 1. Mean Zone of inhibition of Candida albicans on Tawa-tawa

soap Vs. Commercial one.

Zone of inhibition (mm)

Treatments R1 R2 R3

A 19 21 19.5

Commercial

B 20.5 12 18
Produced soap

7
 Table 2. T-test on the difference between treatment A

(Commercial) and B (produced product) in terms of growth

inhibition of Candida albicans.

Treatments Mean T-test Significance

Commercial 19.83

2.89 Not significant

Produced soap 16.83

Table 2. Shows the comparability between treatment A (Commercial)

and B (Produced soap) in terms of growth inhibition of Candida

albicans. The result revealed that there is no significant

difference between the produced product and the commercial one

due to its computed T-ratio of 2.89. It is not significant

because it did not exceed in the Tabular T-value of ± 4.303 with

0.05 level of significant and 2 degree of freedom.

8
 FINDINGS

The study showed the following findings:

1. Tawa-tawa (Euphorbia Hirta) can be an anti-fungal soap against

Candida albicans. Hypotheses 1 rejected

2. There is no significant difference between the produced

product and the commercial one in terms of growth inhibition of

Candida albicans. Hypotheses 2 accepted.

9
 Chapter IV

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were

drawn.

The availability of the materials in the locality and the

alarming status brought by different calamities especially typhoon

and floods were the reason of utilizing Tawa-tawa(Euphorbia

Hirta)as anti-fungal soap.

1. The produced product comes out that it can be an

anti-fungal soap against Candida albicans and it is comparable

to the commercial product in terms of inhibiting the growth of

Candida albicans proven by the bioassay and statistical

analysis.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings and conclusion the following recommendations

are given to the consumers:

It is recommended that the consumer will test the produce product

to promote value for natural remedy of different skin diseases and

problems. The findings gathered in this study serves as the

gateways for chemists; biologist, botanist and researchers of our

country to conduct further investigations regarding the medicinal

value of tawa-tawa.Additional studies on the antifungal effect

should be done using other variety of tawa-tawa.

10
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers would like to express their profound gratitude

to everyone who inspired them, give moral support financial

assistance and in making this study possible:

Dr. Miguel Mac D. Aposin, Assistant Schools Division

Superintendent Officer In Charge, for giving teachers and students

opportunity to explore their knowledge, skills and discover

meaningful and useful investigatory project;

Mr. Nicasio S. Frio, ES-I in Science and Health, for

encouraging the teachers and students to conduct this kind of

project;

Mrs. Trinidad B. Aquillo,Principal IV, for the continuous

moral and financial support and for giving us encouragement to

pursue our study.

Mrs. Fe G.Atanque, Ms. Narcissa Rosario and Ms. Charlotte B.

Buendia, advisers, for trusting us to work with them and for

letting us explore and experience the beauty of science. They also

extended us willingness for the most auspices and guidance. They

never give up on us especially through our downs and trials. They

extended their hands morally and financially.

Mrs.Serlinia Gardona, for her dynamic suggestions and

criticism. She also provides us necessary equipment and her

expertise that is needed in our study.

11
 Mr. Jonathan Alayon, In charge of the computer laboratory for

giving us some pointers needed and related to our study.

Our classmates and friends, for inspiring and encouraging us

to pursue our study.

Our parents and loved ones, for igniting our hearts with

inspiration and moral support so that self-determination and

motivation engulfed our whole beings.

Above all, to the Almighty Father, for great love, concern and

wisdom given to the researchers;

Thank you very, very much.

Charlene Buendia

ResandraOblan

Aljo Alvarez

Researchers

12
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barbour, M. G et al. (1982). Botany: An introduction to plant

botany. Quezon City: Kalayaan Press Maktg. Ent.Inc.

Herklots, Geoffrey Alton Craig.Vegetables in South-East Asia.

London: Allen &Unwin, 1972.

Larkcom, Joy. Oriental Vegetables: The Complete Guide for Garden

and Kitchen. Tokyo and New York: Kodansha International, 1991.

National Academy of Sciences.Underexploited Tropical Plants with

Promising Economic Value. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of

Sciences, 1975.

Rubatzky, Vincent E., and Mas Yamaguchi. World Vegetables:

Principles, Production, and Nutritive Values. 2nd ed. New York:

Chapman & Hall, 1997.

Weaver, William Woys. Heirloom Vegetable Gardening: A Master

Gardener's Guide to Planting, Seed Saving, and Cultural History.

New York: Henry Holt, 1997.

Yeager, Selene. New Foods for Healing. Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press,

1998.

—Paul W. Bosland

13
14