The Anti Microbial Properties Of Citrus Limon (Lemon)

And Aloe Barbadensis Miller ( Aloe Vera) As Hand Sanitizer

An undergraduate thesis presented to

the faculty of Mary Mother of God Parochial School

Thesis submitted to

Mr Hector Ace Arciaga

By Group Bio Hub 10 Immaculate Concepcion

Angelo, Jaysen D

Boco, Danica M

Calangian, Jezreel C

Carag,John Denver S

De Castro, Mary Edna A

Deveza, Mikaella Leigh M

Machado, Paolo R

Malate, Ken Russel A

Reonal, Earl
Table of Contents

Chapter 1

● Introduction
● Statement of the problem
● Significance of the study
● Hypothesis
● Scope and Limitations
● Definition of terms
● Framework

Chapter 2

● The use of Citrus Limon and Aloe Barbadensis Miller in

Philippines and other countries

Chapter 3
● Materials and methodology
● Research Materials
● Research Local
● Data-gathering Procedure

Chapter 4

● Analysis
● General Procedure
●
Chapter 5

● Conclusion
● Recommendation
 CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

In today’s time a lot infectious diseases are emerging. As a result people are focusing
on having proper hygiene to prevent being contaminated. It is well known that the primary
vector of transmission for disease causing pathogens is hand contact. Our hands is one of the
dirtiest parts of our body, since we use it basically in everything we do. Because of that our
hands is prone in catching many germs and bacteria. Even with meticulous protocols of
washing our hands and proper hygiene, pathogens present on any contact surface can easily
recolonized in recently sanitized hands. .“ Feces (poop) from people or animals is an
important source of germs like Salmonella, E. coli O157, and norovirus that can cause
diarrhea, and it can spread some respiratory infections like adenovirus and hand-foot mouth
disease” (CDC, 2018). These kinds of germs get into our hands after people use the toilet or
change a diaper, but also in less obvious ways like touching things that got coughed or
sneezed into, or other contaminated objects. according to beachapedia, even cleaning our
pets feces can make us sick since it contains about 3 billion caliform bacteria. According to
CDC there are two main ways to contact any common viral illness. Contracting may occur
through coughing or sneezing with airborne illness (known as “droplet spread”), or through
direct contact with germs spread through touching of contaminated items. Coughing and
sneezing of infected individuals propel respiratory droplets of infection through the air and
deposit on the mouth or nose of the people in the vicinity, spreading the ailment often without
notice. Oftentimes with influenza germs may remain on object surfaces affected by infected
individuals, leaving those surrounding persons vulnerable to the second most common form
of disease contraction, direct contact. Direct contact may occur in two ways, including through
contact with an affected individual , through touching and sharing of personal items such as
food or silverware, or through surface contact, meaning that an uninfected individual becomes
exposed to the harmful bacteria left behind on objects touched, coughed on , or sneezed on
by infected individuals post interaction with the object or surface. Most often, individuals make
contact with surfaces tainted with respiratory droplets, and touch the eyes, mouth before
properly disinfecting, resulting in the spread of disease. Once infected, presenting symptoms
of viral and respiratory disease include coughing, sneezing, fever, fatigue, muscle or body
aches, headaches, and sore throat. With today’s increased rates of flu and sickness ,
government officials push for the continual use of preventive techniques employed to reduced
the spread of disease. In the past people wash their hands by the use of a good soap and
water. This became a great inconvenience to those who are traveling. During the war, people
cannot even rinse the soap in their hands because of water shortage. All of this resulted in the
making of an alternative called hand sanitizers. All throughout history, sanitizers are
commonly made based on alcohols. Alcohol is effective in eliminating bacterias but it can
make the hands dry. That’s why some people uses hand creams or lotion after using this,
making them spend more money. With this research, we would like to help people prevent
getting infected by certain diseases by minimizing the spreading of bacteria, in a more
effective and cheaper way. In this case study, we used Citrus limon (lemon) and Aloe
barbadensis miller (Aloe Vera) as our active ingredient.

“History has shown us that Aloe barbadensis miller ( Aloe Vera) is one of the oldest
mentioned plants on record due to its medicinal properties and health benefits. Ancient
Chinese and Egyptians used aloe Vera to treat burns, wounds, and reduce fever. Legend
reports that Alexander the Great, upon the advice of Aristotle, conquered the island of
Socotra, off the coast of Africa, to secure supplies of aloe vera in order to treat wounded
soldiers. Cleopatra used aloe in her daily skin treatments. In 1944, the Japanese who were
exposed to the “A” bomb applied aloe gel to their wounds and reported faster healing and less
scaring. It is grown commercially for the health and moisturizing benefits found inside its
leaves. The aloe Vera plant is one of the most studied herbs in the natural products category.
An adult aloe Vera plant reaches maturity at 3-4 years and can reach a height of 30 inches
with up to 21 leaves” (lilyofthedessert.com). According to Kew Gardens, England's royal
botanical center of excellence, Aloe Vera has been used for centuries and is currently more
popular than ever. Aloe Vera is widely used today as in food supplement, cosmetics, and
herbal medicines.

Lemons are a popular fruit that people use in small quantities and with herbs and spices, but
they are rarely consumed alone, due to their intense, sour flavor. They give flavor to many
sauces, salad dressings, marinades, drinks, and desserts, and they are also a good source of
vitamin C. According to Julia F. Morton, the origin of the lemon is unknown, though lemons
are thought to have first grown in Assam (a region in northeast India), northern Burma or
China.Lemons entered Europe near southern Italy no later than the second century AD,
during the time of Ancient Rome. However, they were not widely cultivated. They were later
introduced to Persia and then to Iraq and Egypt around 700 AD. The lemon was first recorded
in literature in a 10th-century Arabic treatise on farming, and was also used as an ornamental
plant in early Islamic gardens. It was distributed widely throughout the Arab world and the
Mediterranean region between 1000 and 1150. “A genomic study of the lemon indicated it
was a hybrid between bitter orange (sour orange) and citron.”In the 1600s, physicians
became aware that daily intake of lemon juice would prevent outbreaks of scurvy among
sailors on long sea voyages. English ships were required by law to carry enough lemon or
lime juice for each sailor to get 1 ounce daily, earning them the nickname Limeys” (Carper J.
The Food Pharmacy ). Lemons contain a high amount of vitamin C soluble fiber, and plant
compounds that give them a number of health benefits. Lemons may aid weight loss and
reduce your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones, digestive issues, and cancer.
Not only are lemons a very healthy fruit, but they also have a distinct, pleasant taste and
smell that make them a great addition to foods and drinks.
Statement of the problem

➢ What germs and bacteria can Citrus limon and Aloe barbadensis miller can actually
kill?

➢ How effective is Citrus limon ang Aloe barbadensis miller compared to other alcohol
based sanitizers?

➢ How cheap will it be compared to other commercial hand sanitizers

➢ Does it have side effects?

➢ Is the Citrus limon and aloe barbadensis miller based hand sanitizer more effective
than regular soap?

Hypothesis

the Hypothesis id formulated for acceptance and rejecting of the research.

I. The benefits of Citrus Limon (lemon) against infectious diseases, by containing vitamin
C it is useful as an antioxidant.
II. The benefits of Aloe barbadensis miller against infectious diseases. By also containing
antioxidants, it has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties.

Scope and Limitations

Scope

➢ Background of Citrus limon

➢ Background of Aloe barbadensis miller

➢ Mixture of our experimentation

➢ Components of Citrus Limon and Aloe barbadensis miller

➢ The Ability of Citric limon and Aloe barbadensis miller to eliminate infectious bacterias

Limitations

➢ This study only focuses on the effectiveness of Citric limon and Aloe barbadensis miller
as a microbial disinfectant hand sanitizer.

➢ This study will not cover topics beyond the scope of this research
Significance of the study

In this time Infectious diseases are one of the main problems that the world is currently
experiencing. More so often we are not conscious of the infectious diseases that we have
obtained because of improper hygiene, specifically in making our hands germ free. This will
be used as an alternative for soap and water especially when we are traveling wherever,
whenever. This case study is expected to benefit the following:

Consumers/Hand sanitizer users : The findings of this study will benefit the consumers
since they will be given knowledge on the effectiveness of hand sanitizers as a disinfectant.
They will not need to worry about easily getting contaminated by infectious diseases since
they know the product is effective.

Students and Professions of medical courses: The findings of this study will help them in
such a way that they will know the importance of using effective disinfectants. Since some
students commute to go to school making them exposed to different surroundings, sanitizers
can help them prevent getting infected. Professions of medical courses are always in the
hospital, making them vulnerable to many infectious diseases. Sanitizers can help them
prevent and minimize the spreading of bacteria.

Department of Science and Technology: The findings of this study it will help and give idea
to the department to conduct more relevant studies on the essentials and benefits of Citric
limon and Aloe barbadensis miller.

Department of Agriculture: The findings of this study will give awareness to the people of
the importance and benefits of medicinal/ herbal plants. As a result this will encourage them
to plant more medicinal/ herbal plants in the future.

Department of Health: The findings of this study will give insight in the effectiveness of
herbal and medicinal plants as an alternative way of curing bacterial infections. Our research
can give them an idea to further their studies in this subject matter. They can also promote the
use of alternative herbal medicines in treatment of some diseases in the society.
Future researchers: The findings of this study will give knowledge to them to further their
investigations in the topics related to hand sanitizers. This will provide a guide in the
experimentation of hand sanitizers in eliminating infectious bacteria.

Definition of terms:

➢ Pathogens. A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.

➢ Salmonella. A bacterium that occurs mainly in the intestine, especially a serotype

causing food poisoning.

➢ E coli O157. Also known as Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a serotype of bacterial

species Escherichia coli and is one of the Shiga toxin- producing types of E. coli.

➢ Norovirus. Is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can
get infected and sick with norovirus. You can get norovirus from: Having direct contact
 with an infected person and consuming contaminated food or water.

➢ Adenovirus. Are medium-sized, non enveloped viruses with an icosahedral

nucleocapsid containing a double stranded DNA genome. Their name derives from
their initial isolation from human adenoids in 1953.

➢ hand-foot-mouth disease. A mild contagious viral infection common in young

children- is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. It is
most commonly caused by coxsackievirus.

➢ Caliform bacteria. Are defined as rod shaped gram-negative non-spore forming and
motile or non-motile bacteria which can ferment lactose with the production of acid and
gas when incubated at 35-37 degree Celsius.

➢ Influenza germs. Commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by an

influenza virus. Complications of influenza may include viral pneumonia, secondary
bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, and worsening of previous health problems such
as asthma or heart failure.

➢ Vitamin C. Also known as ascorbic acid and l-ascorbic acid, is a vitamin found in
various foods and sold as a dietary supplement. It is used to prevent and treat scurvy.
Vitamin c is an essential nutrient involved in repair of tissue and the enzymatic
production of certain neurotransmitters.

➢ Scurvy. Is the name for a vitamin C deficiency. It can lead to anemia, debility,
exhaustion, spontaneous bleeding, pain in the limbs, and especially the legs, swelling
in some parts of the body, and sometimes ulceration of the gums and loss of teeth.
Reference

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319273/