Publication
Abstract: The study determined the larvicidal activity of the different concentrations of Spondias purpurea and Hylocereus costaricensis extracts by measuring percent mortality in Aedes aegypti larvae, a primary vector of dengue and other arboviral diseases. The hypothesis proposed that combining both extracts would yield greater larvicidal activity due to potential synergistic interactions. Ethanolic extraction was used to isolate a wide array of phytochemicals. Third- to fourth-instar larvae were exposed to the extracts using WHO standard bioassay methods, and mortality was recorded over a six-hour period. Phytochemical screening revealed active compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, and glycosides. Results showed that the 100% concentrations of both individual extracts had high larvicidal activity, while their 100:100% combination exhibited mortality comparable to 1% Malathion, the positive control. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences between treatments and control groups (p<0.05), though post hoc tests were not conducted. The novelty of this study lies in the combined use of native Philippine plant extracts as a natural larvicide-an approach not previously reported. The larvicidal effects may be attributed to multiple phytochemical mechanisms, including neurotoxicity, membrane disruption, and enzyme inhibition. The findings highlight the potential of these plant extracts, particularly in combination, as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic larvicides. Further research is recommended to evaluate their environmental safety, determine LDso values, assess long-term efficacy, and test performance in real breeding habitats.
Keywords: Larvicide, Instar IV Larvae, Phytochemical Screening, Bio-Agent, Synergistic Effect
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 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: The realization that synthetic medicine, like antibiotics, has adverse effects made man recognize the importance of medicinal plants. Plants possess a wide array of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids, that have antimicrobial properties in vitro. Chromolaenaodorata or Wellawel is believed in folk medicine to have medicinal properties. The different parts of the plant, like the young leaves, mature leaves, and the flowers, were studied. The study revealed that of the three parts, the former two have the potential of becoming an antifungal agent against four species of fungi. In the qualitative determination of the phytochemical contents, flavonoid was found in all the plant extracts, while tannins and alkaloids were both demonstrated in the leaf extracts. Of the six fungi, Candida albicans, Aspergillusniger, and Penicilliumnotatum were found most sensitive to the young leaf extract, mature leaf extract, and flower extract, respectively, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5mg/ml each. The MIC means that even at a low concentration of the extract, it is enough to cause inhibitory activity. However, the activity (3 mm each) is said to be resistant in terms of its overall effect. The researchers utilized the Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method to determine the sensitivity of the six fungal strains against the different concentrations of the three extracts, and to the control groups. The study revealed that only the young and mature leaf extracts at 100% concentration have the potential of an antifungal agent against C. albicans, Aspergillusniger, Microsporumcanis, and Penicilliumnotatum. Both extracts have no antifungal activity against the other two fungi – T. mentagrophytes and C. guilliermondii. Likewise, the flower extract had no antifungal activity against all the fungi tested. The researchers concluded that the ethanolic extracts of the Wellawel leaves are potential antifungal agents against the susceptible fungal strains. Finally, the researchers forward the following recommendations: (1) to test the extract with other fungal species; (2) to employ another solvent for extraction that could effectively extract all of the active substances present in the different parts of the plant; (3) to formulate a pharmaceutical product like an ointment or cream made from the Wellawel leaf extract as an antifungal agent; and (4) to encourage people to cultivate Wellawel in their backyard.
Keywords: Efficacy, Chromolaenaodorata, antifungal, plant extract
Abstract: This study aimed to determine the viability of yacon extract-based agar (YEBA) as a substitute medium for micro-organisms. Three (3) species of bacteria were tested in this study: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study involved the inoculation of these bacteria on Yacon extract-based agar at controlled environment conditions. The yacon extract was prepared by treating the yacon juice with 95% ethanol for 72 hours then evaporating the alcohol using the rotavap. The resulting mixture was diluted into four concentrations: 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% and were mixed with an appropriate amount of pharmaceutical agar to form the yacon extract-based agar. The pH of the YEBA was adjusted to 7.0 before inoculation with the test bacteria. Bacterial growth was determined through the number of colonies grown after overnight incubation at 370C. The results of the experiment revealed that all the YEBA preparations showed signs of bacterial growth. It further revealed that the 75% and 100% extract concentrations exhibited the most significant number of colonies. Likewise, the colonies manifested characteristic pigments. Finally, it can be concluded that the Yacon extract-based agar, using ethanol as the extracting solution, can be used as a cheap and cost-effective substitute culture medium for micro-organisms.
Keywords: Smallanthussonchifolius, yacon extract, yacon extract-based agar, culture medium
Abstract: The researchers proved in this study that Zingiber officinale (Ginger) has bactericidal property. An ethanolic extract of ginger was confirmed effective against four test organisms – two (2) drug resistant and two non drug resistant bacteria. Thus, it is remarkable to recognize the potential use of the ginger extract in treating infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Escherichia coli. This study determined the efficacy of the ethanolic extract of ginger in inhibiting the growth of four bacteria. There were 72 plates included in the study, of which only 60 were considered valid. Treatments consist of the different concentrations of the ginger extract (150mg/mL, 100mg/mL, 50mg/mL and 25mg/mL). The zone of inhibition is the measure used in determining the growth inhibiting effect of the different treatments. The results of the study strongly show that ginger extract can inhibit the growth of the four test organisms. Although it is apparent that the ginger extract was not as effective as the positive control of each of the four test organisms, the mean zones of inhibition of the ginger extract (particularly 150mg/mL, 100mg/mL and 50mg/mL concentrations) were statistically significant when compared to that of distilled water. Thus, all three concentrations inhibited the growth of the four test organisms. The 25mg/mL extract did not exhibit antibacterial activity against S aureus and MRSA because it may have been very diluted that it lost its inhibitory capacity
Keywords: Bactericidal, Zingiber officinale, Methycillin ResistantStaphylococcus aureus, Extended Spectrum Beta LactamaseEscherichia coli
Abstract: This study determined the potential of betel leaf extract as a meat-preserving agent. Specifically, it determined the physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics of the meaty and fatty parts of the extract-treated meat and its colony count after 15, 20, and 25 days. The betel leaf extract was prepared by treating the pulverized dried leaves of the plant with 95% ethanol for 48 hours then evaporating the alcohol using the rotary evaporator. The resulting solution was used to treat the meat cubes at controlled environmental conditions. Results of the experiment revealed that the extract-treated meat was not as effective as the salt-treated meat in inhibiting the growth of bacteria, but this can be remedied by increasing the volume of the extract. Also, no significant difference between the experimental and the control groups was observed in terms of their internal and surface texture, and color but the contrary was observed in terms of their moisture content. The meat treated with the betel leaf extract has a higher moisture content than the salt-treated meat, and this is why it has higher bacterial count since moisture enhances the growth of bacteria. Based on the findings of the study, the following are the recommendations forwarded for the future direction of related studies: (1) the meat should be sliced thinner (1 cm) to allow the extract to penetrate deeply into the tissues, (2) the meat should be immersed in boiling water before the application of salt/betel extract to lessen the bacterial load, (3) the proportion of extract to the meat should be increased while maintaining the ratio of the salt to the meat (example: 300 grams meat: 300 grams extract; 300 grams meat: 100 grams salt), and (4) the experiment should be performed to other meat samples like beef, chicken, fish to maximize the utilization of the extract.
Keywords: Piper betel, meat preservative, leaf extract, Piper betel leaf extract
Abstract: Hospital wastewater contains increased amounts of antibiotics, disinfectant, and by-products of hospital operations. The indiscriminate discharge of hospital wastewater is considered as a significant sanitation problem and a mode of transmission of diseases. The study evaluated the efficacy of phages as an alternative method for controlling the occurrence of pathogenic bacteria in hospital wastewater. Specifically, it determined (1) the identity of the bacteria isolated from the hospital wastewater; (2) the concentration of the phage lysate that can effectively destroy the pathogens isolated from the wastewater; and (3) if significant difference exists on the effect of the different phage lysate concentrations on the growth and development of the pathogens isolated from the hospital
Keywords: bacteriophage, hopital wastewater, sewage, bacteria, virus
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)
- 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)
- Assessing Program Responsiveness: A Tracer Study of the CHS Graduates (2025), SDG 3, 4, 8 – (E-25-13)
Presentation
- Development of an Acaricidal Soap from Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Carica papaya Leaf Extracts (2025), SDG 3, 9, 12, 15
- Larvicidal Activity of Spondeas purpurea (Dragon Fruit) and Hylocereus costaricensis (Sineguelas) Extracts against Aedes aegypti (2025), SDG 3, 9, 12, 15
- Molluscicidal Activity of Dieffenbachia seguine (Dumb Cane) Leaf Extract Against Pomacea canaliculata (Goldeb Apple Snail) (2025), SDG 2, 9, 12, 15
- Development of an Acaricidal Soap from Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Carica papaya Leaf Extracts (2024), SDG 3, 9, 12, 15
- Feasibility Study on the Offering of Master in Public Health (2024), SDG 3, 4, 9, 17
Citations
- Alpha Mangosteen Effect on MDA Level and the Pancreatic Morphology Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769) Induced by Alloxan (2024), SDG 3, 9, 12 – https://novateurpublication.org/index.php/np/article/view/278
- Potential of Bacteriophage Therapy in Treating Hospital Wastewater (2023), SDG 3, 6, 9, 12 – https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/2/349
- Potential of Bacteriophage Therapy in Treating Hospital Wastewater (2023), SDG 3, 6, 9, 12 – https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2790096/v1
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