"Banana peels (Musa Acuminata or Musa Balbisiana) and Mint Leaves Extract (Mentha) as the components of homemade Mosquito Repellent Floor wax.."

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements In Biotechnology
(Science Investigatory Project)

Submitted to
Ms. Madonna Decena
Biotechnology Teacher
Negros Occidental National Science High School Faculty

Submitted by
Trevorha Kyle M. Basillote
Leah Jeanette M. Lozano
Lyrah Mae D. Enoc
Jhanna C. Flores
Nicole L. Constantino
Mahonri A. Alquisalas

January 26, 2016

Victorias City

Background of the study The population of our country are mostly composed of students. And one of the responsibility of a student is to clean their school or classroom to be specific. They tend to use (commercial) floor wax to have a clean and shiny floor. So we decided to make a floor wax which is very affordable and can give an equal quality as the commercial can, using mainly banana peel, gasoline and candles. Some people get allergic reactions to the chemical contents of commercialize floor wax. At the same time the dengue cases in our country are still relevant. Aside from making a natural and affordable floor wax, we added a content of mosquito repellent which is the mint leaves extract. The banana is an edible fruit, botanically a berry, produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. We use banana peels as one of the main components of our floor wax because it gives "slippery effect" for greater friction. On the other hand, we use Mint Leaves Extract for Mosquito Repellent. Mint Leaves are any of a family (Labietae, the mint family) of aromatic plants with a square stem and a 4-lobed ovary which produces four one-seeded nutlets in fruit. The market is full of products like tooth paste, chewing gum, breath fresheners, candy and inhalers which have mint as their base element. Most of us are familiar with the refreshing application of mint, but it has far more to offer than that, it has a scent that irritates mosquitoes and prevent dengue.

Objectives The goal of our project is to determine that banana peel and mint leaves can be used as an alternative component for making mosquito repellent floor wax. We are trying to prove that even waste materials can be used to prevent proliferation of dengue diseases. In this project we are also trying to create a less chemical yet effective floor wax for us to be able to protect our classmates/schoolmates from mosquitoes.

And our educational guests for that are the following: ➢ Null Hypothesis: ~banana peel and mint leaves extract will not be effective as mosquito repellent floor wax. ➢ Alternative/s: ~The more banana peels added to the mixture, the greater the friction. ~The more paraffin/candle wax added to the mixture, the greater the friction. ~The more kerosene added to the mixture, the lesser the friction.

Significance of the Study The Philippines is one of 4 countries in the Western Pacific which reported the highest dengue incidence in recent years. Last January 1 to August 8, 2015, MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 55,079 suspected dengue cases. Dengue, a disease common in tropical and sub-tropical countries in the world, is transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito. Dengue fever is potentially fatal and mainly affects children. In line with this, we had came up to an idea wherein it has a lesser chemicals that can be harmful. The world is absent- minded in a way that technology, chemicals and other ways are used for improving our lives only without thinking of their effects on our nature. With this project, "Banana peels (Musa Acuminata or Musa Balbisiana) and Mint Leaves Extract (Mentha) as the components of homemade Mosquito Repellent Floor wax.", we can make this as an alternative for cleaning our floors and preventing diseases that can be caused by mosquitoes such as dengue, malaria and yellow fever. Dengue is one of the neglected diseases. It's basically been ignored for many, many years. We must keep our surroundings clean and dry.

Scope and Limitation

The study covers the use of Banana Peel, together with kerosene and candle as floor wax. It can be use for wood, tiles or cemented floors mostly in school, office and other rooms or buildings. The area of the floor that will be applied with this floor wax depends on its amount. Aside from this we added the Mint Leaves extract as the main component for the mosquito repellent that will be combined with the floor wax. This is an alternative use for places that are prone to dengue cases.

This study is only limited to the use of independent variables such as the banana peel, Mint leaves extract and commercialized floor wax and mosquito repellent. While the dependent variable is the measure of time the effect of this project will last.

Definition Of Terms: Banana Peel - It is the outer covering of the banana fruit. Mint Leaves Extract - It is the juice or liquid substance of mint leaves. It is any of a family ( labiatae, the mint family) of a romatic plants with a square stem and a 4-lobed ovary which produces four-one seeded nutlets in fruit.