Malunggay and Spinach Powder

CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Rationale

He gives us that vast goodness of nature and vegetation is among those. As manpropagates for
abundance; he deserves to harbor tremendous benefits from it.

Man inhabited earth with all its richness laid before him. With his gladness, ingenuity and constant
search for knowledge he discovered numerous ways to enrich his mind of endless ideas, body for health
and longevity and spirit to fulfill his close relation with his maker and
humanity. Thus, man discovers infinite ways and makes use of accessible resources to satisfy his
longings for health and wellness. The discovery of herbal plants made the possible existence of modern
medicine. Modern medicine makes use of these plants in making capsulated herbal medicine or food
supplements. It is scientifically proven that numerous of vitamins and minerals are found in herbal
plants that can supply the needs of living things, specifically humans. These vitamins and minerals help
supply energy within a persons body, which is needed for everyday activities in order for them to
perform well. Herbal plants nowadays are not just made as medicinal purposes but also as food
ingredients so that it may add a unique and healthier flavor to foods.

Malunggay or Horse radish (Moringa oelifera) was once considered a "poor mans vegetable" but
now it is known as a "miracle tree" or "nature's medicine cabinet" by scientists and health care workers
from around the world because its loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be an effective remedy
againstmany kinds of ailments such as arthritis, anemia, ovarian cancer, heartcomplications, kidney prob
lems, asthma and digestive disorders

This plant thrives in tropical countries, mainly in Southeast Asia, Central and SouthAmerica and Africa. It
is indeed widely cultivated. It grows up to ten (10) meters tall and its leaflets are ovate to elliptic and are
two (2) centimeters long. Each ounce of Malunggay contains seven times the Vitamin C found in
oranges, four times the Vitamin A of carrots, three times the iron of spinach, four times as much calcium
as milk and three times the potassium of bananas. It is said that these plants require little
maintenance, which makes it easy for cash-strapped people to gain health without thinking of budget
concerns.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an edible flowering plant in the family ofAmaranthaceae which originated
from Central and Southwestern Asia and is now widely cultivated throughout the world. It grows to a
height of up to thirty (30) centimeters and its leaves are simple, alternate, ovate to triangular-based and
varies in size from two (2) to three (3) centimeters long and one to fifteen (15) centimeters broad.
Besides of it being considered as an herb rich in Iron, it is also a rich source of Carbohydrates, Dietary
fiber, Fat, Protein, Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K
and Calcium. It is well-known in stabilizing the blood sugar among diabetics, it serves as an anti-oxidant,
an anti-cancer agent, it prevents from atherosclerosis or thickening and hardening of arteries and it aids
in the formation of the blood substance required for blood clotting. The combination of both herbs can
surely make a nutritious supplement for all ages. This study presents the result of the beneficial mix of
Malunggay and Spinach known as Malunggay and Spinach powder. A power duo, a product of nature,
harnesses within reach and concocted with simplicity

Statement of the Problem

The study aspired primarily, to search for alternative ways of utilizing the common backyard plants
Malunggay and Spinach so that it wont be placed into waste. Secondarily, make a different and simple
preparation of it right in ones home aside from the usual capsule and tablet forms, which currently
dominate in the market. Lastly, to disseminate the information on how to augment a nutritional
need within in reach and friendly to the pocket. The study addressed the following specific questions:

1.) What are the procedures in preparing the Malunggay and Spinach powder?
2.) Is there a specific expiration for this product?
3.) Are there different processes of drying each kind of leaves?
4.) How long can the end product be stored?
5.) Is it advisable to dry the Malunggay and Spinach leaves under direct sunlight?
6.) What are the uses of the Malunggay and Spinach powder as an additive?
7.) What specific amounts of Malunggay and Spinach to be prepared to meet our nutritionalneeds?
8.) What are the nutritional values from the combination of Malunggay and Spinach?
9.) Can this research work possibly be pursued in the future?

Significance of the Study

Health awareness is the prime investment, ingenuity is the investors joining effort and wellness is the
net gain. Most people think that adapting a healthy and well-conditioned life is expensive and difficult to
achieve. The significance is just how one resourcefully utilizes the cheap, the natural abundance of
nature, and the untiring quest to alternatives and remedies. Malunggay
and Spinach are kind of vegetables that are rich with vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are needed
for optimum health. The purposeful cahoots will serve as a supplement Malunggay, touted as All-
around miracle tree or Natures medicine cabinet contains a wide variety of nutrients in high amounts
and Spinach, known as Powerhouse of Nutrients fill in essential Potassium, Phosphorus and Niacin that
Malunggay does not have. This potent combination in powder form add nutrition
to ourdeficient diet due to modern farming methods, nutrient-deficient soils, high levels ofpollution
that places more stress, and busy lifestyles that make it hard to prepare healthy balanced diet. It acts as
an inexpensive insurance against nutritional deficiencies. This study will promote awareness on the
relevance of serving of vegetable meals, soup, bread, dessert, shakes, juices and mixes with Malunggay
and Spinach powder. It encourages household to plant Malunggay and Spinach in backyards for personal
consumption. Furthermore, it supports the Department of Agriculture on their program of
propagating vegetable garden e.g. Malunggay and Spinach as a revenue-generating industry
under its biotechnology program where it currently enjoys wide array ofMalunggay, Spinach and other
vegetable based products manufactured in the Philippines and being sold in local and international
markets. Finally, it inspires people to study and search for benefits on vegetables and other
agricultural produce.

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The review of the study focuses on the health benefits given by the combination of the malunggay and
spinach powder supplement and its preparation, which can contribute in the attainment of health and
wellness by making use of our local produce. With the pollution and lifestyle changes, people need to
equip themselves with health-conscious mindset by going natural to counteract the radical effect of
modern day living. Facts were gathered from books and Internet as references in order to get the
needed information for the study. Potter, Patricia stated that nutrients are the elements necessary for
body processes
and function. Energy needs are met from six categories of nutrients: carbohydrates,proteins, fats, water,
vitamins and minerals. Essential amino acids are the simplest forms of protein; are those that the body
cannot synthesize but must be provided in the diet. Nonessential amino acids are
the simplest forms of protein; are those that can be synthesize in the body. Wolff, LuVerne implied
that food supplements are preparations containing vitamins, minerals, or proteins, or combination of
these, and other nutrients. Their purpose is to add nutrition to the diet. Certain foods, such as cereals
andbreads, may be nutritionally enriched or fortified by adding supplements to replacevitamins and
minerals removed by food processing. In Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 20, it is placed that the major
classes of nutrients-proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water- differ widely in their
functions in the body. Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in which fatty plaques develop on their
inner walls, with the eventual obstruction of blood
flow.It is stated in Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 25, that Spinach; Scientific Name:Spinacia Oleracea;
An annual potherb whose leaves are popular vegetable. Known to be a Powerhouse of Nutrient among
all green leafy veggies. The leaves are alternate, simple, and ovate to triangular-based, very variable in
size from about 2-30 cm. Long and 1-15 cm. Broad, with larger leaves at the base and small leaves higher
on the flowering stem. The flowers are inconspicuous, yellow-green, 3-4 mm. diameter, maturing into a
small hard dry lumpy fruit cluster 5-10 mm. across containing several seeds. Its Nutritional Value per
100grams: Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B2 Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Calcium,
Phosphorus, Carbohydrates, Protein, and Calories.
Definition of Terms

The following definitions are used to further understand the study:

Anemia -is the reduction of the oxygen-carrying pigment hemoglobin in the blood.

Anti-oxidant -is a substance capable of neutralizing oxygen free radicals, the highly active and damaging
atoms and chemical groups produced by various disease processes, and by poisons, radiation, smoking,
and other agencies.

Arthritis-is an inflammation of one or more joints, characterized by swelling, warmth, redness of

overlying skin, pain, and restriction of motion.

Asthma-is a condition characterized by wide-spread narrowing of the bronchial airways that leads to
cough, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing.

Atherosclerosis-is a disease of the arteries in which fatty plaques develop on their inner walls, with the
eventual obstruction of blood flow.

Diabetes-is any disorder of metabolism causing excessive thirst and the production of large volumes of
urine.

Essential amino acids -are the simplest forms of protein; are those that the body cannot synthesize but
must be provided in the diet.

Food supplements -are preparations containing vitamins, minerals, or proteins, or combination of these,
and other nutrients. Their purpose is to add nutrition to the diet. Certain foods,
such as cereals and breads, may be nutritionally enriched or fortified by addingsupplements to
replace vitamin and minerals removed by food processing.

Health-is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absenceof
disease or infirmity.

Herb-is a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities.

Minerals-are inorganic elements essential to the body as catalyst in biochemical

reactions.Classified as macrominerals when the daily requirement is 100 mg. or more andmicrominerals
or trace elements when less than 100 mg. is needed daily e.g. Seleniumwhich has antioxidant property.

Malunggay; Scientific Name: Moringa Oleifera; considered poor mans veggie, all-around miracle tree,
and natures medicine cabinet. It thrives in countries that have hot and dry climates. Its leaves can
actually be eaten raw but best added in meals as a special ingredient or diet supplement. Moringa dried
leaf powder contains Protein, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus,
Copper, Iron, Selenium, Vitamin A-B carotene, Vitamin B Choline, Vitamin B1 Thiamine, Vitamin
B2Riboflavin, Vitamin B3 Nicotinic Acid, Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E
TocopherolAcetate, Calories, Moisture, Oxalic Acid, Essential Amino Acids; Arginine, Histidine,Lysine
Isoeucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine,Threonine, Tryptophan,Nonessential Amino Acids:
Alanine, Aspartic Acid,Glutamic Acid, Cystine, Glycine,Proline, Serine and Tyrosine. Nonessential amino
acids are the simplest forms of protein; are those that can be synthesize in the body. Nutrients are the
elements necessary for body processes and function. Energy needs are met from six (6)
categories of nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, water, vitamins, and minerals. Powder is a
medicinal preparation consisting of a mixture of two or more drugs in the form offine particles.

Spinach; Scientific Name: Spinacia Oleracea; An annual potherb whose leaves are popular vegetable.
Known to be a Powerhouse of Nutrient among all green leafy veggies. The leaves are alternate, simple,
ovate to triangular-based, very variable in size from about 2-30 cm. Long and 1-15 cm. Broad, with larger
leave sat the base and small leaves higher on the flowering stem. The flowers are inconspicuous, yellow-
green, 3-4 mm. diameter, maturing into a small hard dry lumpy fruit cluster 5-10 mm. across containing
several seeds. Its Nutritional Value per 100 grams: Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin
B2Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus, Carbohydrates, Protein, and Calories.

Wellness-is the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.