FEASIBILITY OF ORANGE PEELINGS (CITRUS SINENSIS) AS HOMEMADE

FLOOR WAX

___________________________________________

A Research Proposal

Presented to the Senior High School Faculty

of the University of San Carlos

___________________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Course

Res 03S (Research Project for STEM)

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LORENZO MEDINO ACUBA

JAIRUS ALCARIA
LUKE JOSEPH BALISACAN
BASIL RICO GAHI
CARINA ELLA RUFIN

January 2018
 Chapter One

INTRODUCTION

Rationale of the Study

The products that are made to improve the standard for living humans have also
resulted into pollution or corruption of the environment which is not a part of the
intentions of the producers. The air, water and land are now partially infected by the
chemical wastes. Biodegradable waste decays but it doesn’t mean that it’s a good thing,
when biodegradable waste breaks down in a landfill, it turn into methane gas which is a
greenhouse gas that could contribute to the global warming. Global warming affects the
human kind, plant, and animals in many ways through changed of weather patterns.

Floor wax is one of the basic necessities of cleaning and polishing floors however
these products are a little bit expensive that not everyone could afford it. According to
Environmental Health Association of Canada (2011), harmful major ingredients in
making a floor wax are: water, polymer emulsions, preservatives, modifiers and film
formers. And because of this reason, the researcher came up of an idea of making a
homemade floor wax using orange peelings as the main ingredient which can help
prevent pollution and prevent biodegradable waste to contribute to global warming due to
greenhouse gas and prevent those harmful effects to the health of the consumers.

The researchers conducted this study to create a homemade floor wax out of
orange peelings and to lessen the amount of pollution in the environment; in land and air.
The materials and equipment needed can be easily found and some of them are common
kitchen tools. To create the homemade floor wax out of orange peelings, individuals that
are going to create this kind of floor wax will not spent a lot of money hence practically,
you don’t have to buy the materials and equipment as they are common kitchen tools and
orange peelings are not expensive. The orange peelings are usually thrown after peeling
out the orange, to lessen the pollution and to create something out of it, the researcher
came up of an idea to make use of orange peelings and use it as an alternative in making
a floor wax.
Statement of the Problem

The main goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of orange (Citrus
Sinensis) peelings as homemade floor wax.

Specifically, this study intends to:

1. To test the effectiveness of orange peeling as homemade floor wax in terms

of:
a) Odor
b) Luster
c) Texture
d) Overall Quality
2. To make a floor wax that is cheap and can be made easily
3. To determine if there is a significant difference between the orange peelings
floor wax and the commercialized one.

Significance of the Study

The research problem is significant due to the fact that the aim of the study is to
determine the feasibility of orange peelings as a homemade floor wax. This study will be
significant to the following:

Environment. This study would be beneficial to the environment because it aims

to reduce the pollution on land and any other places that can be polluted. It may be
biodegradable but still it can affect the environment because when biodegradable wastes
breaks down, it will release methane – a greenhouse gas – that contributes global
warming.

Consumers. This study will also be beneficial to the consumers because it

provides knowledge to the community in the proper ways of disposing waste materials
and the harmful ingredients of floor wax in the environment such as polymer emulsions,
de-ionized water, preservatives, modifiers and film formers which contributes to the
harmful effects of floor wax in the environment and to the health of the consumers.
 Economy. The economy could also benefit in this study because the materials and
ingredients used in the making is affordable and inexpensive. Making of alternatives
instead of expensive product helps us in our daily consumption and budget.

Future Researchers. The future researchers could use this study as their bases or
guide that will conduct a similar study. It can give them ideas that could make their study
better and on the things that are not important and disregard.

Scope and Limitations

This study focuses on the utilization of orange peelings as floor wax. This will be
conducted from January 2017 to March 2017 at the University of San Carlos and the
samples will be collected in Osmena Blvd, Cebu City. The researchers limit the study to
30 respondents by means of convenience sampling that would rate the effectivity of the
product. In order to assure manageability of the future data, the questionnaire has
checklist-related questions and will include open-ended response items.
 Chapter Two

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literature

Chemical Components of Floor Wax

Chemists and floor care professionals often speak different languages. The
chemist talks about polymerization, melting points and monomers. And the floor care
professional talks about durability, wet-look gloss and burnish response. As a chemist
specializing in floor finish development I have learned the importance of communicating
and listening to floor care professionals. Professionals are the ones who use the floor
finishes. It is their needs that we chemists must satisfy. Floor care professionals are very
cooperative in teaching us chemists about their floor finish procedures, application
methods, and equipment. But most floor care experts that I know are as interested in
learning more about the floor finishes they use as I am in learning about their techniques
and procedures.
A polymer is a giant molecule made from a large number of similar small
molecules, called monomers, which are joined together chemically. The chemical process
of making a polymer is called polymerization. When a polymer is made from two or
more monomers, it is called a copolymer. Many polymers are named for the monomer
from which they are made. For example, the polymer polyethylene is named for its
monomer ethylene. Chemists suspend the giant floor finish polymer in water, and they
become polymer emulsions. Most floor finish manufacturers treat the monomers and
processes used to make their polymer emulsions as a trade secret. However it is generally
known that most floor finish polymer emulsions are made from acrylic or styrene type
monomers.
The polymer emulsions are the workhorse of a floor finish. They are the backbone upon
which all of the other ingredients are connected. There are virtually thousands of
potential combinations of polymers which can be used to make floor finishes. The choice
of the polymers used in floor finishes influences nearly every performance characteristic,
including: durability, gloss, slip resistance, leveling, clarity, water and detergent
resistance, recoatability, mark resistance, removability and powder resistance. Polymer
emulsions without film formers would produce dry, loose crystals on the floor surface.
Improper film formation can produce a variety of floor care problems including: poor adhesion
and powdering, poor gloss, streaking, cratering, fisheyes, blushing, orange peeling and poor
leveling. Some of the ingredients that contribute to proper film formation are coalescing agents,
plasticizers, wetting and leveling agents and antifoams.

Orange

Orange is a hybrid of ancient cultivated origin, possibly between pomelo (Citrus

Maxima) and tangerine(Citrus Reticulata). It is a small flowering tree growing to about
10 meters tall with glossy evergreen 08., which are arranged alternately, of ovate shape
with crenulated margins and 4–10 centimeters long. The white flowers tend to be very
fragrant (Herbst 2001).

Citrus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rutaceae (Orange Family) and
a common name for edible fruits of this genus. Other members of the genus
include lemons, limes, citrons, grapefruit, pomelos (Pummelo, Pommelo), and mandarins
(tangerines). Citrus fruits are a distinctive berry with the internal parts divided into
segments. Many of the species are considered to be hybrids, and perhaps even the wild,
true-breeding species are of hybrid origin

Floor Wax

The word "wax" usually refers to a variety of organic substances that are solid at
ambient temperature but become free-flowing liquids at slightly higher temperatures. The
chemical composition of waxes is complex, but normal alkanes are always present in
high proportion and molecular weight profiles tend to be wide. The main commercial
source of wax is crude oil but not all crude oil refiners produce wax. "Mineral" wax can
also be produced from lignite. Plants, animals and even insects produce materials sold in
commerce as "wax."
 Much of the terminology and the traditional procedures in floor care come from
the early history of floor finishes. So it is important to understand their history and the
evolution of modern technology used today. This technology is a combination of floor
finish evolution and floor machine advances that have increased the speed for buffing
resulting in a higher shine in less time. The advances in floor care technology we enjoy
today are due to progressive manufacturers competing to provide a product and process
superior to their peers. The building service industry and end users are the beneficiaries
of these advances.
Many people still talk about “waxing” the floor, even though it has been 50 years
since natural waxes were widely used as a floor finish. The first floor finishes were
carnauba waxes, made from the leaves of a tropical plant. Carnauba is a natural wax
emulsion blend combined with a resin. Carnauba waxes were buffable and gave a great
shine. They dried to a slight haze and left deep, rich swirls on the floor when
buffed. They were extremely abrasive resistant but, because carnauba wax was very
expensive and difficult to obtain, manufacturers began using other natural materials that
were less costly, like beeswax, shellac and paraffin. Although some natural wax finishes
are still used today, synthetic materials have largely replaced them in floor maintenance.
Synthetic wax/polymer finishes followed carnauba wax. In the late 1940s, a
synthetic floor finish using a water-based and a plastic called polystyrene was
developed. When the wax-like plastic polyethylene was mixed with the polystyrene,
however, a very durable, buffable, non-brittle floor finish was created.
Today, synthetic materials are much more commonly used in floor finishes than natural
waxes. Synthetic water-based finishes are collectively called polymer finishes. The improved
result was a dry, bright finish. The "buffability" of the finish depended on the type of synthetic
wax and polymers that were put into them. Synthetic wax/polymer finishes in liquid form are a
milky white color

Related Studies

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) as Floor Wax

In order to make an odorless and non-irritating floor wax, we need to also have
odorless oil but the oil of the coconut have an odd smell with it so we have to find ways
to solve the problems also the flaw of our research. One of the main problems that we
need to solve is the irritating smell of the floor wax. According to the research, cleaning
products such as floor wax contain a high level of EGBE or Ethylene Glycol Mon butyl
Ether that can harm our body. “The results of studies in animals have clearly
demonstrated (EGBE) dose-related adverse effects on the central nervous system, the
hematopoietic tissues, the blood, the kidneys, and the liver.” Begin by making fire by the
use of charcoal. Heat casserole or pan. Pour coconut milk on the casserole or pan when
heated. Stir continuously. Continue stirring until the coconut milk turn into an oil. Mix
the paraffin wax, perla soap, and coconut oil and mix thoroughly. When done, remove
casserole from fire and pour the contents into the molding tray. Let it cool and solidify.
Check the finished product. It is now ready for use and trial. The researchers would want
to recommend to the people that they can also use any kind of detergent soap to be able to
make the floor polish have a good scent. The researchers recommend to just buy ½ kilo
of paraffin wax enough for all the experiments that may be done in order to save more
money. Use steel molding tray in order to avoid plastic ones from melting because of too
much heat from the coconut oil.

The Feasibility of Banana (Musa Paradisiaca) Peel as alternative source of Floor Wax
The researchers conducted this study due to economic crisis nowadays. Its aim is
to create a product of floor wax which is cheaper and could give the same quality which
the commercial one could give through banana. As of now, our country is facing a great
crisis in economy. The researcher found out that in school, they required using of floor
wax (commercial) to prevent the floor shiny. Even in the houses, floor is being used. So,
the researcher decided to make a floor wax that is very affordable and can give an equal
quality as the commercial can. This study can give benefits to the people especially to the
poor ones, to have a good business and also to save money for their other needs.
Especially in schools, it will give a benefit to the students as well as their parents to save
money. This study is only limited for the investigation of banana used as alternative
source in floor wax making. The researcher chose this study for further investigation if
the banana can be an effective source of floor wax.

Ipil-Ipil (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) as an alternative source of Floor Wax

 The main objective of this study was to determine the possibility of producing an
acceptable Ipil-Ipil floor wax that can be an alternative to the present commercial floor
was in terms of its use in a concrete smooth cemented pavement. Three floor waxes were
compared; two were Ipil-Ipil floor waxes from young and mature leaves and the third one
is the commercial floor wax. The floor waxes from young and mature leaves of Ipil-Ipil
were statistically compared in their acceptability as basis for determining the more
acceptable Ipil-Ipil floor wax in terms of five quality attributes – color, odor, texture,
luster, general acceptability.
The samples of this study consisted of two Ipil-Ipil trees randomly and
purposively selected from the town of Marabut, Samar, Philippines. The respondents
involved in this study consisted of 15 janitors of the Leyte Normal University who
responded to Ipil-Ipil floor wax Acceptability Measure. The pertinent findings of this
study are both the Ipil-Ipil floor waxes from young and mature leaves were acceptable
floor wax in terms of color, odor, texture, luster, general acceptability when applied in a
concrete cemented smooth pavement and there is no significant difference between the
acceptable Ipil-Ipil waxes from young and mature leaves and the commercial floor wax
in terms of effectiveness/acceptability in a concrete cemented smooth pavement. The
results further verifies that the Ipil-Ipil floor wax is at par with the commercial floor wax
and can be a potential alternative in terms of acceptability and effectiveness of its use in a
concrete smooth cemented pavement.
 Chapter Three

METHODOLOGY

Introduction

This chapter discusses the methods used in conducting the research. It includes
the Research Environment, sample, sampling sites, Materials and Equipment, the
instruments used, Research respondents and the procedure in making of the product and
the gathering of data. This study will determine the Feasibility of orange as homemade
floor wax

Method of Researched Used

The experimental method will be used in conducting this study that would also
slightly involve qualitative method. This study is experimental because the products
effectiveness will be tested in a cost effective manner. It will also need a response from
selected students from the University of San Carlos- Talamban Campus.

Research Environment

The study will be conducted at University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, Gov.

M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu, Philippines.

Research Respondents

The respondents of the study are the students of the University of San Carlos-
Talamban Campus. They are the one who will rate and answer the questions that are
given to them relating to this study. The researchers will only select students based on
their availability

Research Instruments

The researchers will conduct a test about the feasibility of orange as homemade
floor wax using rating sheets which involves checklist-related questions and will include
open-ended response items to be answered by the respondents. The rating sheets will be
made by the researchers with the help of word processor (e.g. MS Word). The researchers
will also use Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint for calculations of data, and for
the presentation using tables and charts.

Materials
The main materials needed for this study are thirty oranges, 100g of candle
drippings and 100ml of kerosene. Other materials needed are spoons, a stove, paper
towels, containers, a knife or grinder, weighing scale, alcohol (vodka) and lastly mason
jars.

Gathering of Materials

The Oranges (Citrus sinensis) of the Rutaceae family will be purchased in the
nearest fruit market within Osmena Blvd, Cebu City. Materials such as spoon, stove,
container, knife or grinder, and weighing scale are needed to be gathered. The ingredients
such as the candle dripping and orange peelings are necessary to make a floor wax.

Sample Preparation

In order to extract orange oil, the orange peeling will be removed manually in
which the fruit will be peeled then cut into small longitudinal bits or it will be grinded by
a grinder. Once the peels have been removed, place them in a paper towel and leave them
in direct sunlight until they are completely dry. Leave them out for a couple of days until
it is thoroughly dry (Phillips, 2017). After the peels have dried, grind the peels until they
are a coarse consistency. Warm the alcohol and place it in a mason jar together with the
dried orange peels, pour enough alcohol to completely cover the orange peels and secure
the jar with the lid. Vigorously shake the jar for several minutes. Let the mixture sit for
two to three days and shake the mixture two to three times a day. After, strain the mixture
using a cheese cloth into a container. Allow the alcohol to evaporate by covering the
container with a cloth or towel and let it sit for a few days, then you will be left with
orange oil. Three sample will be measure, set A would be 50g, set B would be 100g and
then set C would be 150g. Next, measure 100 ml of kerosene using the measuring cup.
Then, weigh the candle drippings and make sure that it is exactly 100 g. lastly, set the
materials and ingredients to be needed on a clean dry table to be organized for the
experimentation purposes.

Making of Floor wax

the 100 g of candle drippings will be poured into a casserole and stir it until the point that
it softens. Include the 100 ml of kerosene and mix both of the substances until the point
that the mixture boils, then promptly include the oil that came from the orange peelings.
Mix the mixture for no less than 2 minutes until the wax is concentrated and immediately
turn off the stove after using and set the casserole on a table for no less than 60 minutes
to let it cool and solidify, scrape the wax from the casserole and transfer it on a clean
container.

Testing of the Product

Independent variable: amount of candle drippings and kerosene

Dependent variable: amount of orange peelings oil

Product A, B and C will then be applied on a 1/8 piece of plywood that would
show the effect of the product to the floor. This 1/8 piece of plywood would then be
tested according to its texture, odor, luster and its overall quality. To determine its
texture, the inclined plane method will be use to identify which block (object) would be
placed in the plywood and the tilt will be increased until the block slides. The height and
base will be measured and the coefficient of the static friction with the formula of
friction= h/b will be used to calculate (Young & Freedman, 2016). The product will be
rated from 1-5 with 5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest according on its odor and
luster. The researchers will hand out questionnaires which involves checklist-related
questions and open-ended response items.

Treatment of Data
Each sample product from sample A, B and C will be calculated according to its friction
from the given formula Friction= height/base (Young & Freedman, 2016). The sample
that has the highest coefficient friction would imply that it is less slippery than those with
lower coefficients. The rating sheet is a checklist-related questionnaire with open-ended
response items on how effective is Orange (Citrus Sinensis) as a homemade floor wax. It
will be a two-part questionnaire in which the thirty respondents would rate the product
and answer the questions through sentences. The answers of the respondent from the
questionnaires will then be tallied using simple frequency count. The data gathered will
then be presented in a tabular form, examine, and understood to answer the study. The
response options in the rating are weighted as shown below:

Excellent Good Average Poor Terrible

5 4 3 2 1

The researchers calculated the average answers per item and the weighted mean was used
in answering the research questions. The researchers will use a word processing program,
MS Word and Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint for calculations of data, and for
the presentation using tables and charts. The data obtained by the study will be explained
by the researchers on what kind of data was collected. The result of the study will then be
summarized and used as a guide in creating the conclusions and further recommendations
of the study.

Bibliography

Phillips K. (October, 2017), How to Make Dried Orange or Lemon Peel at Home. Retrieved
from https://www.thespruce.com

Young H. & Freedman R. (2016), University Physics with modern Physics: Volume 1,
Pearson education south Asia Ptd. Ltd.