Student’s Perception on Oregano Extract Oil as Mosquito Repellent

____________________

A Research Study Presented to

Capas High School

__________________________

In the Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the

Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM)

________________________

By:

Jayron Santos

Ylouiz Franshien Lobo

Lia Jeramie Santos

Aaron John Yalung

Kim Gerald Galang

Philip Leonel Publico

March 2019
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers of this study want to give their highest appreciation and sincere

gratitude to the following people for their guidance, unending support, understanding,

knowledge and assistance in fulfilling this study.

To Mrs. Yolanda Gonzales, Ed. D., the dearest principal of Capas High School,

for allowing the researchers to conduct the study and her unconditional support for the

study.

To Ms. Candy Cabatbat, Ed. D., The research adviser for imparting her

excellent guidance, unending support and constant motivation for completion of the

study. For the checking and editing of the contents of the study to improve it. And the

effort and help that she has offered for the study.

To Ms. Deborah Jane U. Sy, the adviser of the researchers for helping and

motivating the researchers.

To Capas High School, for enhancing our skills and for having a great

opportunity to conduct a study with the guidance of teachers.

To Carlos P. Romulo and the librarians, for giving the researchers a warm

welcome and for always accommodating the researchers.

 DEDICATION

We would like to dedicate our research study to our Almighty God, our source of

inspiration, strength, wisdom and understanding. For providing us his powerful and

endless love, faith, and perseverance to make this research study possible.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the following

people for helping us to complete this research study.

To our dearest Parents, we thank them for their patience, motivation and

financial support that they have given to us throughout the process of pursuing our strand.

Also, for their unconditional love and prayers, we were able to accomplish this research

undoubtedly.

To our dear Teachers, who have encouraged and motivated us in pursuing our

ideas, and by helping us to have the knowledge we direly need for this study.

To our fellow Learners, we would also like to dedicate this study to serve as an

instrument in providing knowledgeable information to them.

To our supportive friends, who motivated us to finish our study.

Anti-pl
 CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Oregano, a member of the Lamiaceae family of plants, has been known to be

natural insecticide by apparently inhibiting egg laying and larval development

(Boutekedjiret, 2008). Oregano oil benefits include its strong aroma and antiseptic

properties. It is a natural substance and contains two key compounds carvacrol and

thymol which are directly involved in inhibiting harmful micro-organisms that cause

many illnesses and complications. Origanum vulgare is also confusingly named as “wild

marjorism”, it is a herb that is rich with cymophenol and it is known by its bitter and

spicy taste with a slight hint of heat.

In recent years, interest in plant-based products has been revived because of the

development of resistance, cross-resistance and possibly toxicity hazards associated with

the synthetic insecticides and their rising cost. Various plant-based products as herbal

repellents such as oregano, is safe and biodegradable alternative to synthetic chemicals

for use against mosquitoes.

As stated by Algerian Doctor Chahrazed Boutekedjiret and her team from the

National Polytechnic (2008), studied the oregano plant and found 18 components on the

plant that are capable in repelling pests and found that the greater concentration of oil

used, the more sufficient it is. In additional, Dr. Boutekedjiret stated that it is feasible that

in the near future, these natural insecticides will replace synthetic insecticides and add

considerably to more environmentally friendly insecticides on a large scale.

 According to Natura Foundation (2016), Egyptians already has the idea of using

oregano in order to conserve their food and treating their wounds. Ancient Greece also

used this remedy for headaches, ulcers, lung diseases, asthma and spasms. The carvacol-

rich oregano oil turns out to have excellent properties regarding versatility and efficiency.

It is an exceptional botanical cure for all-round issues and problems.

Singletary (2010) indicated that oregano was originally grown in Greece where it

was first discovered and used by the Greeks. They held the plant in such esteem and

believed that this herb was created by the Goddess Aphrodite herself and wanted it to be

the symbol of joy. Medicinal uses for oregano date back to the ancient Greek and Roman

empires where application of the leaves were used to treat such maladies as skin sores

and relieve aching muscles and as an antiseptic. In Greece, an oregano infusion is still

used as a folk remedy against colds and upset stomach and to maintain general health.

As mentioned by the Department of Health (DOH), dengue is the fastest

spreading vector-borne disease in the world endemic in 100 countries. The virus has no

treatment but the disease can be early managed. It is the most familiar disease caused by

mosquitoes in the Philippines, the five year average cases of dengue is 185,008; five year

average deaths is 732; and five year average Case Fatality Rate is 0.39 (2012-2016 data).

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are known to be the transmitters of

dengue virus.

Extracting oil from oregano leaves is one of the simple procedures, anyone can

make their own oregano oil at home. With a few oregano leaves, chopped and boiled in a

jar you will be able to extract its natural oils. Let it sit on the sun for two weeks, and once
that is over you can squeeze the remaining juices from the leaves. It is also important to

keep the sanitized jar of the oil stored in a cool, dark place to preserve it longer.

The usage of this natural repellent can help in preserving both plants and humans,

not only able to reducing wide-spread of diseases but also preserve natural fruits and

vegetables without having to worry about pests.

Statement of the Problem

This research study aims to determine the perceptions of students in oregano

extracts as mosquito repellent in Capas High School.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. How may the demographic profile of respondents be described in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Sex

1.3 Grade and Section

2. How may oregano oil extract be described in terms of:

2.1 Treatment and;

2.2 Prevention of illnesses and certain conditions

3. What are the effects of oregano oil extract as mosquito repellent?

4. What are the implications of this study to the learners of Capas High School?
Scope and Delimitations

This study focuses on the perceptions of Grade 11 STEM Students in Capas High

School about the Oregano Extract as a mosquito repellent. The respondents described in

terms of age, sex and section along with the perception about oregano as mosquito

repellent. Subjects delimit among 7 students as respondents from Grade 11 STEM.

Significance of the Study

This research study may be beneficial to the following stakeholders.

To the Students who are aware. This study aims to provide a safer repellent and to

further expand their existing knowledge of oregano.

To the Students who are not aware. This study aims to provide a safer repellent and to

raise awareness of the benefits of oregano as mosquito repellent.

To the Parents. This study aims to benefit in the terms of understanding the perceptions

of the students in using oregano as a remedy.

To the Future Researchers. The result of this study will help other researchers to give

information from the perceptions of the students towards oregano extracts.

Definition of terms

Carvacrol as defined by Future Pharm Botanicals, 2019 is a chemical found in several

plants and herbs it is most abundant in oregano. Another, it gives the oregano is slightly

spicy flavor, is colorless, and gas a distinct warm odor.

Extraction as cited to chemicool.com, 2017 is a way to separate a desired substance

when it is mixed with others. The mixture is brought into contact with solvent in which

substance of soluble, but the other, substances present are insoluble.

Insecticides as defined by Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary, 2019 is a

chemical substances made and used for killing insects.

Mosquito as stated by Oxford University Press, 2019 is a slender long-legged fly with

aquatic larvae. The bite of the bloodsucking female can transmit a number of serious

diseases including malaria and dengue.

Oregano as stated by Joseph Nordqvist, 2017 It is a culinary and medical herb form the

mint, or Lamlaceae family, It has been used in medicine and cooking for thousands of

years. It has adds flavor and it may have a number of health benefits.

Thymol as stated by Dorland, 28th ed is a phenol obtained from thyme oil or other

volatile oils. It has been used for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal actions.
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter discusses related literature and studies taken from different sources

and data that could substantiate the information assisted in conceptualization of this

study. This includes the foreign literature, foreign studies, local literature and the local

studies.

Related Literature

In the current laboratory study, 14 essential oil (EOs) derived from 12 Lamiaceae

plant species and their major components were screened for their larvicidal and repellent

properties against Aeded albopictus, an invasive mosquito species of great medical

importance. The resut of toxicity bioassays revealed that the EOs from Oreganum vulgare

include its substances such as tyhmol and carvacrol exerted the highest larvicidal effect.

(Giatropoulos et al., 2018)

According to Carroll et al. (2017), the oregano, Origanum onites L., essential oil

was tested in laboratory bioassays for repellent activity against amblyomma americanum

(L.) and Aedes aegypti (L.). The O. Onites EO was characterized using GC-FID and GC-

MS Carvacrol (75.70%), linalool (9.0%), p-cymene (4.33%) and the thymol (1.9%) were

the most abundant compounds. At a concentration of 0.413 mg oil per square centimeter

of filter paper , O. onites EO repelled 100% of the ticks tested and at 0.103 mg oil per

centimeter square of filter paper, 66.7% of the ticks were repelled.

 Mosquitoes have become the most important single group of insects well-known

for their public health importance, since they act as the vector for many tropical and

subtropical diseases. (Hubalek and Haluzka, 1999)

Approximately 750,000 people die of mosquito transmitted diseases each year,

including malaria, dengue, West Nile, Zika, and chikungunya fevers. The incidence of

these diseases is expected to rise significantly in the next few decades as the host ranges

of multiple species of mosquitoes increase due to climate change. Not only do

mosquitoes transmit diseases, but they also may increase the severity of the diseases they

transmit. (Vogt et al., 2018)

As indicated by Surendran (2005), a wide species of mosquitoes are very sensitive

to minute qualitative change in water, preferring to breed in clear, open stagnant water

pools.

Changes in the physic o-chemical and biotic characteristics of surface water may

create conditions either favorable or unfavorable to the breeding process of mosquitoes,

depending on the ranges of tolerance of different species. Large-scale environmental

modification concomitant with the process such as forest clearing, irrigation development

and human resettlement inevitably result in changes in surface water quality and affect

the survival of mosquito species breeding in surface water habitats. (Amerasinghe et al.,

1995)

As stated by Douglas (2004), the most of the resulting of a high density of

mosquito populations are the absence of a proper and adequate disposal of wastes, bad
sanitary and drainage systems, haphazard city growth combined with resource constraints

have contributed to the creation of many ideal mosquito breeding grounds.

According to Ameen et al. (1994), the fact that mosquito problem is essentially

an environmental and ecological problem, the propensity to ignore the importance of

mosquito bionomics, sole dependence on insecticides for mosquito control, and at the

same time insufficient knowledge about their susceptibility status seem to be responsible

for the failure of mosquito control programs in the city areas.

The dengue virus which is one of the most common diseases caused by

mosquitoes are present in the blood of patients during the acute phase of the disease and

will become a reservoir of virus, sucked by mosquitoes which may transmit disease. Any

stagnant water along household premises are the usual breeding places of mosquitoes.

(Navales, 1988)

Related Studies

A. Foreign

“Evaluation of DEET and eight essential oils for repellency against the lone star

tick” a study by Meng et. al., (2016) indicated that most plants produce secondary

compounds that not only foil some plant pathogens and herbivores, but also repel a broad

spectrum of arthropods, including blood feeders, which pose no threat to plants.

Isman (2000) stated in his study entitled “Plant essential oils for pest and disease

management” that over the past 15 years, interest in botanical insecticides has increased

as a result of environmental concerns and insect populations becoming resistant to

conventional chemicals. Botanical insecticides are naturally occurring insecticides that

are derived from plants.

A study from Konstantopoulou et al., (1992) entitled “Insecticidal effects of

essential oil”, the insecticidal constituents of many plant extracts and essential oils are

monoterpenoids. Due to their high volatility they have fumigant activity that might be of

importance for controlling stored-product insects.

B. Local

Oregano is a medicinal herb known for its anti-oxidant and anti-microbial, anti-

parasitic properties. It is used for the treatment of indigestion problems, muscle pain,

insect bites, and menstruation symptoms, bacterial and fungal infections. Dried leaves of

oregano are commonly used for the therapeutic purposes it contains iron,

vitamins, calcium, magnesium, copper, niacin and thiamine according to the study of

Eupena (2014) entitled “Oregano As A Mosquito Coil”

Jessica Sanggalang (2019), the chief nurse of the Ospital Ning Capas has been

interviewed about the number of cases of the dengue fever and other related diseases

caused by mosquitoes. She stated that in a span of two months in the year 2019, from

January to February 18, 54 patients have been diagnosed with dengue.

The Department of Health (DOH, 2010) declared that Cavite is now at the state of

emergency due to Dengue Outbreak. Large numbers of people who are having this

diseases are caused by the main source is mosquito. Therefore, the researchers think of a

product that can repel the mosquito leaving a safe environment using oregano extract oil as

mosquito spray repellent.

 All the cited literature and studies both foreign and local, have bearing and

relevance to the present study. Isman (2000) stated that botanical repellents and

insecticides are naturally occurring from plants, lessening the toxicity in the environment

that synthetics causes.

Giatropoulos et al., (2018) indicates the chemical compositions of oregano

exerted the highest larvicidal effect, although there were no study found to be the exact

same as the present study, specific to a local subject.

The study of Meng et. Al., further proves that plants repel blood feeders that pose

no threats to the environment, plants or skin. Symptoms of synthetics arise from most of

the skins of young chidren and teenagers, specifically to those who have allergies and

sensitive skin. This shows that there is a need to find an organic and natural alternative

remedy.
Theoretical Framework

This study refers to the perception of Grade 11 STEM learners of Capas High

School about the oregano extract oil as mosquito repellent. To determine the perception

in oregano extract oil as mosquito repellent, survey are provided to the selected STEM

students.

Input ProcessPropREOv Output

1. The demographic Semi-structured  Determine the

profile of Capas High questionnaires perception of
School Learners: students in oregano
1.1 Age extract oil as
treatment, prevention
1.2 Sex of illness and certain
1.3 Grade and Section condition of illness
and certain
2. Oregano extract oil condition.
can be described:
2.1 Treatment and;
2.2 Prevention of illness
and certain conditions
3. Effects of oregano oil
extract as mosquito
repellent.
 Chapter 3

METHODS OF RESEARCH AND SOURCES OF DATA

This chapter presents and describes the research design, respondents of the study,

and instruments of the study and research locale.

Research Design

In this study, the researchers utilize the case study research design to determine the

perceptions of the students of Capas High School towards oregano oil extract as a

mosquito repellent.

According to Bromley (1990), case study is a “systematic inquiry into an event or a

set of related events which aims to describe and explain the phenomenon of interest” (p.

302).

Zucker (2009) stated that case studies of individuals in health care research (to take

one example) often involve in-depth interviews with participants and key informants,

review of the medical records, observation, and excerpts from patients’ personal writings

and diaries.

Research Locale

This study was conducted in the Capas High School placed along Mc. Arthur

Highway in the vicinity of Barangay Dolores Capas, Tarlac. It is more or less 13

kilometers away from the capital city of Tarlac. Capas High School resides to Cluster IV

School.
Respondents of the Study

The respondents of this study are seven (7) STEM students of Capas High School

located in Capas, Tarlac who are aware and familiar of the usage of oregano and its

extract oil.

Research Instruments

The research study will use semi-structured questionnaires to the selected 7 STEM

students of Capas High School in order to gain information. The guide question was

validated by the research adviser Ms. Candy Cabatbat. Nevertheless, revisions were done

in order to suit the purpose of the study.

The questionnaire is composed of three parts. Part I - Profile of the students; Part II -

Their perception of oregano oil extract; Part III - Effects of their usage of oregano oil as

mosquito repellent.

Sampling Techniques

The researchers use the Purposive/Judgemental type of non-probability sampling. In

this sampling, they will choose their respondents based on the objectives of the study like

selecting those students who are aware of oregano extract oil as mosquito repellent.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers made a letter sign by a research adviser, the researchers show the

letter to the respondents and asked permission. A letter will also be shown to make sure

the information that they will give is to be kept. The question to be asked is written is the
guide question to be answered by the respondents, and the interview will undergo. After

the researchers gather all answers given by the respondents, then will analyze, summarize

and interpret the information.

 APPENDICES

Name (optional): _____________________________________

Age; _______

Sex: _______

Grade and Section: _______________

1. Do you use a mosquito repellent? ___ yes ____ no

2. What repellent do you use? ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. Have you ever used oregano as a remedy for certain conditions i.e. cough,

headaches, etc.? ____yes ____no

4. Do you have any kind of allergies? If yes, what? ____________________________

________________________________________________________________________

5. Are you aware that oregano oil extract can be used as mosquito repellent?

____ yes ____ no

6. What do you know about oregano? _______________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Online Resources

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080522072339.htm

http://www.naturafoundation.co.uk/monografie/Wild_oregano_oil.html

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232240488_Oregano_Overview_of_the_Li

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