PROPOSED ORGANIC PESTICIDE FROM OREGANO (Origanum vulgare)

LEAF OIL EXTRACT FOR GK LOPUE COMMUNITY PLANTATION

Presented by:
ENCH5A

October 18, 2018

 INTRODUCTION

Gawad Kalinga (GK) Lopue Legacy Village is one of the 40 GK Villages in Negros

Occidental. The two-hectare parcel of land was donated by Inocentes de la Rama, Inc. to the City

of Bago for the sole purpose of a socialized housing project with Gawad Kalinga Foundation and

its GK beneficiaries. The donation was formalized when the parties concerned entered into an

agreement on November 10, 2008 in the City of Bago. Through the Couples for Christ, serving

as the first caretaker, organizing work began in 2008.

Initially, the University of St. La Salle was invited to participate in the volunteer work in

the site through build activities involving students and faculty of the National Service Training

Program (NSTP). However, the engagement of the university with Gawad Kalinga in Bago City

became much bigger when in 2010, the officers of GK Negros Occidental chapter requested the

institution to be its caretaker. As caretaker, the university assumes the tasks of reorganizing the

community, establishing the community association, building the capacity of the members and
leaders and working with them in the establishment of the different programs responding to their

expressed needs and concerns.

As of the moment, the seven (7) programs of Gawad Kalinga are implemented in the

community namely: Community Infrastructure Program, Productivity/Livelihood, Health

(Gawad Kalusugan), Green Kalinga (Environment), Child & Youth Development Program

(CYDP), Mabuhay, and Values Formation.

Upon ocular visit in the community, a couple of concerns such as soil quality, infestation

of pests, and mishandling of vermicompost are observed. These issues affect three of the Gawad

Kalinga programs: Productivy/Livelihood, Health, and Green Kalinga and are therefore the

target of this proposal.

 PROPOSED PLAN OF ACTION

In response to the current situation in the community, an organic pesticide from Oregano

(Origanum vulgare) is proposed to aid their growing concerns regarding the infestation of pests

in their sources of livelihood specifically their agricultural crops. The method in producing the

said pesticide is presented below.

I. Hot Maceration Extraction

Preparation of Materials

The lists of materials needed for this research proposal are vegetable oil, water, oregano

leaves which are chopped or crushed and sanitized jar with lid. The Oregano leaves will be

collected from the respective gardens of each family in the community.

Extraction of Oil from Oregano Leaves

The main method to be used in the research proposal is the hot maceration extraction

process. In making oregano oil, the ratio of the oregano and oil should be 1:1. Water should be

heated in a sauce pan at 45°-60°C. Then, oil and chopped oregano leaves will be place inside a

sanitized jar. Placed the jar into the hot water bath and let it sit for about 1 to 2 hours. This will

allow the oil to heat up and the oregano to start releasing its oils. After each immersion, the fat is

filtered and separated from the leaves. After 10 to 20 immersions, the fat is separated from waste

leaves and water.

Storage of the Macerated Oil

After the extraction process, the oil collected can be apply on the surface of the plants in

the community. The macerated oil should be exposed to sunlight for 1-2 weeks. This should be
constantly shake every few days. Afterwards, strain the oil from the leaves and store it in a dark,

cool place.

II. Steam Distillation

Preparation of Materials

The primary equipment needed for this research proposal is the laboratory distillation set-

up. Some list of materials needed for this research proposal are oregano leaves which are

chopped or crushed, cold water for the condenser, and sanitized jar with lid. The Oregano leaves

will be collected from the respective gardens of each family in the community.

Extraction of Oil from Oregano Leaves

The main method to be used in the research proposal is the steam distillation process.

Steam is produced in the boiling by heating distilled water with the hot plate. This steam travels

upward into the biomass flask where essential oils and water-soluble plant compounds are

removed into the vapor stream. The vapor stream travels through the still head, condenses in the

water-cooled condenser, and collects in the receiver, where the essential oil layer phase

separates. Steam distillation of biomass generally yields two products: a relatively high purity

essential oil and an aqueous condensate called a hydrosol. The oil consists of hydrophobic, often

aromatic compounds that are produced in very small concentrations as secondary metabolites in

the plants. The hydrosol also contains secondary metabolites but these compounds are more

hydrophilic.

The first thing that should be done is to double-check all ground glass connections to

make sure there is a good seal and that joints are lubricated. Then, the mixture of water and

chopped Oregano leaves will be heated. Water in boiling flask should gradually begin to boil.
Steam will appear and start to condense in the still head after about 30 minutes of heating. Some

water will also condense in and flow back down into boiling flask which may cause the water in

the boiling flask to change color; this is normal. The temperature of the water draining out of the

condenser outlet tube into the sink should be checked periodically. Water should be cool and at

most, lukewarm; if water is warm, gradually increase the flow rate of the cold water until the

outlet water is cool. After some time, an oil layer will begin to form on top of the hydrosol. Most

of essential oil will be collected in the first 10-20 minutes, but more will come off in the next 1-2

hours.
BUDGET