Chapter I

Introduction

Background of the Study

Over the decades antibacterial agents are one of the most essential

tools in fighting bacterial infections. Plants have been widely used as herbal

medicine in the Philippines however; an alarming increase of drug-resistant

bacteria leads to the need to seek for new antibacterial agents will lesser

bacterial resistance. One of the activities that can be found in traditional

plants is the antibacterial activity. Antibacterial plants are mostly herbs that

contain aromatic essential oils that kill pathogenic bacteria.

Humans have been using chilli peppers for a long time. The peppers

have become increasingly common overtime and are now a part of the diet of

many cultures. The pungency of chilli peppers is due to the accumulation of

capsaicinoids which is unique to the Capsicum genus. Natural antimicrobials,

such as chilli peppers, are receiving a good deal of attention for

microorganism-control issues. Recent reports states that the Capsicum genus

is a good source for antimicrobial and antifungal compounds. According to

Gross (2008), capsaiciniods are a major component of Chilli peppers that are

responsible for their spicy and burning characteristic sensation.

Senna alata is one of over 600 Senna species distributed worldwide.

The plant is a conspicuous shrub when in flower, with erect spikes of orange

and/or yellow petals. Senna alata has been of great importance in Nigerian
folklore medicine for ages. Palanichamy and Nagarajan (1990) reported

antifungal activity of anthraquinone in Senna alata leaf.

The purpose of this study is to compare the antifungal potentials of

Capsicum annuum (Siling labuyo) and Senna alata (Akapulko) to increase

and maximize the availability of known antifungals that may be used for

treatment.

Statement of the Problem

This study will focus on the potential of Chilli Pepper and Akapulko as

antifungals. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1.) What are the properties of Capsicum annuum (Chilli Pepper) and

Senna alata (Akapulko) that could be used as antifungals?

2.) Is there a significant difference between Chilli Peppers/Akapulko

extract and antifungal ointments?

Hypothesis

There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of akapulko and

chilli pepper crude oil extract against antifungal ointment.

Scope and Limitations

This study will be limited by using Akapulko and Siling Labuyo as a

source of making ointment curing fungi. Petroleum jelly will be used to make

the liquid surface creamier. The research study focused on proving

the efficacy of akapulko and siling labuyo extract in treating fungi and on the

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growth of availability to use. Crude oil extracts of plants were prepared as a

test samples.

Significance of the study

The outcome and findings of this study will prove significant and

beneficial to the following:

Medicinal field. This study would help with the development of

medicinal research and encourage the use of naturally derived products as

alternative medicine, and the creation of improved antifungal ointments using

the information from this study.

Environment. Breakdown products and the combination of biologically

active compounds may have unanticipated effects on animals and the

environment. Using natural alternatives may not completely eradicate this

problem but it will reduce the impact.

Community. This study can help increase local knowledge on the

benefits of natural antifungals.

Researchers. This study could help future researchers as their guide

and starting point in conducting further and greater research and discoveries.

Discovering a wide range of antifungals may help the society in many ways.

Future Researcher. This study will serve as a basis for improvement

of and identifying other use of. This would encourage students to undertake

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another study on the use of herbal plants and medicine in alleviating other

diseases.