ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

After our group reached the standards of its study, we would like to thank all the people
who were with us throughout this learning experience, our families who encouraged us to keep
going despite the odds encountered, and our kind friends who shared their knowledge intended
for chapter-construction purposes.
To our thesis adviser, Engr. Samantha Torres, who carefully guided us in every step of
the way and efficiently shared her understanding towards the experimentation performed, and to
Ms. Jessica Policarpio who willingly provided us the right laboratory tools and equipment
required for the study’s methodology, we sincerely thank you . Lastly, we would like to give our
utmost respect and gratitude to our research teacher, Mr. Jon Ray M. Maglonzo, who never gave
up on us in this endeavor. We earnestly recognize you for all your advices and remarks that lent
a huge backing to our study. Without them, this study would not be successful.
We also want to thank our thesis panel consisting of panel Chairman, Doctor Hilapo, and
panel members, Engr. Genevieve Estrañero, Ph.D. and Mrs. Ana Liza Barabicho-Naval, for the
constructive criticisms and assessments which led to the necessary changes required for the
correction and improvement of the study.

The overall experience of this study exemplified the love that bound the group members
together. Every stage led to a stronger connection among the members, cooperatively
accomplishing scheduled tasks and gradually turning into a family at the same time. As a group
united by a joint passion towards success, we were able to overcome all the trials against our
projected accomplishment. We personally thank each other’s sacrifices to this study; we would
not be able to complete it without supporting each other. We promise to treasure all the moments
wherein we were together, getting involved in stressful talks and cramming most of the
procedures of the methodology in the laboratory. We ensure to ponder on this great scholastic
effort in the future as proud contributors to the expanding field of scientific knowledge.
Lastly, we will never forget who we should thank the most, the man above, For He
directed us towards the right path of completion. We would be nothing but futile researchers
without him; we offer him the fruits of our study for the betterment of mankind. To God be all
the Glory.

ENDORSEMENT
This is to certify that this capstone research project entitled The Effectiveness of Virgin

Cocos nucifera Oil and Artemisia dracunculus Oil as Antibacterial Agents for

i
Staphylococcus aureus prepared and submitted by Xavier John P. Esperanza, Allyssa Beatrice

G. Meer, Shem Jazeel A. Angeles and Aaron Vince M. Deunida in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for Senior High School – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Strand, is hereby accepted.

ENGR. SAMANTHA Y. TORRES

Research Mentor

PROF. DARYLLE HILAPO, MSC

Chief Examiner

ENGR. GENEVEIVE G. ESTRAÑERO, Ph.D. MRS. ANA LIZA BARABICHO-

NAVAL
Panel Member Panel Member

The senior high school department endorses the acceptance of this capstone research project as
partial fulfillment of the requirements.

ANA LIZA E. BARABICHO - NAVAL

Academic Coordinator
Senior High School Department

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………….
i

Endorsement………………………………………………………………………..
ii

Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………...
iii

List of Tables………………………………………………………………………..
v

List of Figures……………………………………………………………………….
vi

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………..
vii

Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………………………….
1
1.0 Background of the Study………………………………………………
1
1.1 Objectives of the Study………………………………………………...
2
1.2 Significance of the Study……………………………………………….
2
1.3 Conceptual Framework……………………………………………….
5
1.4 Scope and Limitations………………………………………………….
6

Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature……………………………………………

7

Chapter 3: Methodology…………………………………………………………….
17
3.0 Acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus…………………………….
17
3.1 Obtaining of the Independent Vairables………………………….…… 17
3.1.1 Coconut Oil Extraction…………………………………………..
17

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 3.1.2 Tarragon Oil Extraction…………………………………………
18
3.2 Broth Microdilution Test …..……………………………………
19
3.2.1 Preparation of Broth Medium……………………………..
19
3.2.2 Preparation of Bacterial Inoculum……………………..
20
3.2.4 Application………………………………….. 20
3.2.5 Incubation ………………………………….. 20
3.2.6 Measurement of the Minimum
Inhibitory Concentrations …………………………………..
20
3.3 Statistical Analysis………………………………….. 20
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion………………………………………………
20

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 4.0 Characterization and Yield of Extra Virgin
Coconut oil………………… 20
4.1 Characterization and Yield of Tarragon oil …………………………… 21
4.2 Analysis of Wells………………… 22

4.3 Computation of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ……………

23
4.4 Comparison of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ……………26
4.5 Interpretation of the difference in the Minimum
Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ………………………………………………
26
4.6 Comparison of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)
To concluded MIC based on establish literatures ………………….…………
27

Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations…………………………………...

27

References…………………………………………………………………………..
29

Appendices………………………………………………………………………….
40
7.0 Appendix A: Summary of Coconut Oil Extraction…………………..
40
7.1 Appendix B: Summary of Tarragon Oil Extraction ……….…....
43
7.2 Appendix C: Summary of Coconut and Tarragon
Oil Dillution …………………… 44
7.3 Appendix D: Summary of Muller Hinton Broth ………..………..
45 7.4 Appendix E: Summary of Antimicrobial
Testing………………………… 45
7.5 Appendix F: Results of Antimicrobial Testing ….…………… 46

iv
 LIST OF TABLES

Table number Title

Page number
Table 1 -------------------------- Solving for Virgin Coconut Oil MIC
------------------------------p. 23
Table 1.1 ----------------------- Computation of Virgin Coconut Oil’s MIC---------------------------
p. 24
Table 2 ---------------------------- Solving for Tarragon oil’s MIC------------------------------------
p. 24
Table 2.1 ------------------------ Computation of Tarragon Oil’s MIC--------------------------------
p. 25

v
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure number Title

Page number
Figure no.1 --------- Mean Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (in ten thousands) ---------------
p. 26

vi
 ABSTRACT
Acne, also known as Acne Vulgaris, a skin infection caused by abnormal activity of the

sebaceous gland found at the bottom of the hair follicles. Thus, this study expounds the supposed

antimicrobial activity of coconut oil and tarragon oil on Staphylococcus aureus since the said

bacterium causes the stated skin complication, having the two oil extracts as primary home

remedies.

Cocos nucifera oil or coconut oil, when applied to skin allows microbes to convert the

acid Monocaprin and Monolaurin which replaces the acid layer that is usually removed through

regular washing and wiping. Artemisia dracunculus oil or tarragon oil is also an acne remedy.

The distillation process of tarragon oil allows the accumulation of steamed leaves residue which

is an anti- oxidant that clears skin impurities.

Cocos nucifera was acquired from a local market while Artemisia dracunculus was

acquired from a local landscape shop located in Binan., Laguna. Cocos nucifera oil was acquired

through the boiling method. The Artemisia dracunculus oil extract was obtained through rotary

evaporation using 500mL of Hexane as an initial amount of the said extraction solvent.

Based on the research conducted , the virgin coconut oil extract inhibits the growth of S.

aureus, negating the conclusion of a verified literature that it had no Minimum Inhibitory

Concentration (MIC) against S. aureus. On the other hand, the MIC of Tarragon oil again S.

aureus is greater than its already concluded MIC against the stated bacterium according to an

established literature. Therefore, Virgin coconut oil is a more effective antibacterial agent against

S. aureus compared to Tarragon oil.

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