Publication
Abstract: Ticks pose a serious threat to dogs, with synthetic acaricides leading to environmental impact and resistance concerns. While Azadirachta indica and Carica papaya have shown acaricidal potential against Rhipicephalus sanguineus, their efficacy against dog ticks has not been thoroughly investigated. This study determined the acaricidal activity of A. indica and C. papaya leaf extract against R. sanguineus, both individually and combined, to develop a botanical bio-agent that can be utilized as a substitute to the commercially available Permethrin. Each plant specimen was air-dried, pulverized, and extracted using 95% ethyl alcohol. Phytochemical screening tests were conducted to determine the bioactive components present in each plant extract. The analysis showed that the ethanolic extract of A. indica contains moderate levels of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides, with a lower concentration of phenolic compounds. In contrast, the ethanolic extract of C. papaya has moderate amounts of tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids, while saponins, glycosides, and phenolic compounds are present in lower concentrations. The spray method of acaricidal activity determination revealed that each plant extract has acaricidal activity, but a better effect against R. sanguineus was obtained if both extracts were combined. The A. indica and C. papaya combined leaf extract at 100% can be used as an acaricidal bio-agent against dogs’ ticks. For future directions of similar studies, it is recommended to prioritize refining bioassay methodologies and conducting in-depth chemical profiling. Exploring variations in extraction techniques, solvent types, and concentration gradients may offer valuable insights into the most effective formulations for tick control. In addition, the identification and quantification of major bioactive compounds that are responsible for acaricidal activity could be facilitated by the use of advanced analytical techniques, including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). This integrated approach would deepen our understanding of the mode of action, enhance efficacy, and contribute to the development of sustainable alternatives to synthetic acaricides.
Keywords: Acaricide, Carica papaya, Azadirachta indica, Phytochemicals, Ticks
Abstract: The need to increasingly rely on science and technology in many areas, such as education, emphasizes the necessity for students to develop solid scientific preparedness. This study aimed to determine the science readiness of first-year bachelor of science in medical laboratory science (BSMLS) students at the University of Northern Philippines. Specifically, it explored the relationships between students' demographic profiles and their readiness for biology, chemistry, and the five cognitive skills necessary for scientific understanding. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents were female, were interested in science, were graduates of STEM programs, and came from rural areas. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents had parents who were college graduates with a monthly income of 10,000.00 or less. Overall, the students demonstrated a high level of science readiness—specifically, high readiness in biology, moderate readiness in chemistry, and high readiness in the cognitive domains of remembering and understanding. However, they showed only moderate readiness in analyzing, applying, and evaluating scientific concepts. While most demographic variables did not show a significant relationship with students’ science readiness, academic track was significantly associated with students’ ability to evaluate biology concepts, and family income was found to influence their analytical thinking skills. In light of these findings, the CHEM-HOTS intervention activity was developed to improve the students' readiness for advanced studies in science.
Keywords: science readiness, biology, chemistry, BSMLS, cognitive domains
Abstract: The environment, human health, and animals are all at risk as a result of the pervasive use of chemical-based products to control ticks and lice in animals, mostly dogs. This investigation was designed to assess the efficacy and physicochemical properties of an acaricidal soap for canines that was formulated using Azadirachta indica and Carica papaya leaf extracts. The soap was intended to be effective against Rhipicephalus sanguineus (dog ticks). Following an experimental design, the investigation was consistent with Sustainable Development Goal #9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Assessing the acaricidal activity of the extracts, developing the detergent, evaluating its physicochemical characteristics, and determining its median Lethal Dose (LD50) were all components of the process. While soap development took place at the University of Northern Philippines, other experiments were carried out at a reference laboratory. The final concentration of the soap was 20 mg/g, achieved by combining 13 mL of extracts (100 mg/mL each) with 65 g of soap constituents. The soap had a greenish-brown color, a smooth texture, a light, pleasant smell, and a pH of 7.9. There was a 14.2 cm height of foam, a 5.2 cm of foam retention, 20% moisture content, 29% total fatty matter, and 0.20% of alkali content. The soap exhibited an earlier onset of acaricidal activity (7–9 hours) compared to a commercial herbal soap (10-12 hours), and both soaps achieve 100% tick mortality within 15 hours. The combined extract's LD50 was 2,933 mg/g body weight. The soap that has been developed is safe, efficacious, and has the potential for further refinement and commercial development.
Keywords: Lethal Dose 50 (LD50), Total Alkali Content, Foaming Index, Moisture Content, Sustainable Development Goal 9
Abstract: Science, Technology, and Society is one of the new General Education courses offered under the Philippine educational reforms implementing the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (Republic Act 10533). The teaching of STS presents significant challenges in ensuring that the students acquire the necessary competencies they ought to learn. Instructional materials in STS are only slightly adequate and slightly available. The study aimed to create a worktext that could serve as a valuable resource for educating students about the course. This study's research and developmental method involved creating and evaluating the worktext. The study used the 5E model of instructional design to develop the worktext. It was evaluated for its validity in terms of content, clarity, appeal to the target user, and originality. The evaluation revealed that it is highly valid and readable by the intended target users. It is recommended that the STS worktext be used in the course's teaching-learning process and should undergo an evaluation to further validate its effectiveness and practicability. Teachers should be trained and encouraged to develop their instructional materials related to their field of specialization with the support of the university administration
Keywords: development, worktext, instructional materials, science, technology, society, instruction.
Abstract: Blood chemistry testing requires centrifugation as one of the crucial pre-analytical phases. Usual differences in the speed and time of centrifugation influence specimens to varying extents among laboratories. This prompted the researchers to ascertain the effects of varying centrifugation speeds and times on healthy individuals' blood chemistry values and reduce the centrifugation time attested by the World Health Organization (WHO). Blood specimens were collected from four healthy adults, centrifuged, and then analyzed using the VITROS 5600 Automated Machine. The drychemistry principle was applied. Three sets of speed and time were applied (1) 3,500 RPM for 15 minutes (WHO recommended), (2) 3,750RPM for 10 minutes, and (3) 4,000 RPM for 5 minutes. The parameters include Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Total Cholesterol (Total CHOLE), Creatinine (Crea), Sodium (Na), and Potassium (K). The results of the serum chemistry values have no significant difference between different speeds and times against the standard set by WHO and were found to be acceptable, normal, and close in range with each other. Therefore, these can be substituted forthe WHO-recommended speed and time. The researchers forward the following recommendations: (1) tests should be conducted to respondents with comorbidities and to younger and older individuals; (2) conduct the tests in triplicates and consider using other methods and more participants should be considered; and; (3) consider lesser time in centrifugation.
Keywords: Centrifugation, speed, time, chemistry testing, WHO recommendation
SDG: SDG 3
On-going
- Development of Molluscicidal Pellets from Dieffencia seguine (Dumb Cane) Leaf Extract Against Pomacea canaliculate (Golden Apple Snail) (2026), SDG 2, 12, 15 – (AFNR-26-1)
- Assessing Program Responsiveness: A Tracer Study of the CHS Graduates (2025), SDG 3, 4, 8, 10 – (E-25-13)
- The Prevalence of Helminthiasis Among Primary Pupils of Villamar Elementary School, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur for the School Year 2025-2026: Basis for a Targeted Health Education Program (2025), SDG 3, 6 – (HN-25-3)
- Development and Validation of a Worktext in Clinical Bacteriology for Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Students (2022), SDG 3, 4, 9 – (E-22-23-c36)
Awards
- LOCAL
- 2025 Gawad Saliksik, October 16, 2025, UNP, Vigan City
- Best Paper, Molluscicidal Activity of Ethanolic Dieffenbachia seguine (Dumb Cane) Leaf Extract Against Pomacea canaliculata (Golden Apple Snail) 8th Regional Research Congress, August 2025, UNP, Vigan City
- 2024 Gawad Saliksik, October 16, 2024, UNP, Vigan City
- Best Paper, Development and Evaluation of Acaricidal Soap Formulated from Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Carica Papaya (Papaya) Leaf Extracts, 7th Regional Research Congress, September 2024, UNP, Vigan City
Presentation
- Molluscicidal Activity of Dieffenbachia seguine (Dumb Cane) Leaf Extract Against Pomacea canaliculata (Goldeb Apple Snail) (2025), SDG 2
- Development and Evaluation of Acaricidal Soap Formulated from Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Carica Papaya (Papaya) Leaf Extracts (2024), SDG 9
- Tracer Study of the Graduates of the College of Health Sciences (2024), SDG 4
- Development of A Worktext in Science, Technology, And Society (2023), SDG 4
- Science Readiness of the First Year BSMLS Students: Basis for an Intervention Activity (2022), SDG 4
Citations
- Acaricidal Activity of Azadirachta indica (Neem Tree) and Carica papaya (Papaya) Leaf Extracts against Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Dog Ticks) Using Spray Method (2025), SDG 3 – https://thescipub.com/abstract/ojbsci.2025.426.436
- Development of A Worktext In Science, Technology, And Society (2024), SDG 4 –https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tomas-Shivolo/publication/382118666_The_paradigm_shift_in_science_education_Namibian_science_teachers’_perceptions_and_experiences_with_inquiry-based_instruction/links/669197e03e0edb1e0fe0eebb/The-paradigm-shift-in-science-education-Namibian-science-teachers-perceptions-and-experiences-with-inquiry-based-instruction.pdf
- Effect of Centrifugation Speed and Time on the Blood Chemistry Values of Healthy Individuals (2023), SDG 3 – https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=CENTR
- Development of A Worktext in Science, Technology, And Society (2023), SDG 4 – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377116715_JNS-33-310
IP Registration
Others (Peer Review, Research Consultancy)
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