Coconut: the most economically important member of the great palm family Essay

CHAPTER 1 (BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY) In this modern world considered as the era of comforts, we also face poverty and scarcity of resources because of over population. So, people today are searching for some easier and better ways to save money through substituting commercialized products with improvised and homemade products, economizing, etc. In short people today are just being practical on what they will buy or what they will do to meet their needs. The coconut is the fruit of the most economically important member of the great palm family, Palmae. The genus Cocos are Southeast Asians and contain only one species, Cocos Nucifera.  Cultivated in tropical lowlands, almost always near the sea, the coconut has long been distributed throughout Southeast Asia and along the Tropical African and American coasts. The coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many uses of its different parts. For centuries, the coconut pal has supplied the people of the Pacific Islands with food, drink, shelter, and most of their needs. The durian is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio. There are 30 recognised Durio species, at least nine of which produce edible fruit. Durio zibethinus is the only species available in the international market: other species are sold in their local regions. Regarded by many people in Southeast Asia as the â€Å"king of fruits†, the  durian is distinctive for its large size, strong odor, and formidable thorn-covered husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimeters (12 in) long and 15 centimeters (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb.). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the color of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species. Corn (Zea mays) has been grown in the northeast for generations, and is a demanding crop but one that is highly-valued for its use. Corn, Zea mays, is an annual grass in the family Poaceae and is a staple food crop grown all over the world. Corn is the second most important crop in the Philippines. About 14 million Filipinos prefer white corn as their main staple and yellow corn accounts for about 50% of livestock mixed feeds. Some 600,000 farm households depend on corn as a major source of livelihood, in addition to transport services, traders, processors and agricultural input suppliers who directly benefit from corn production, processing, marketing and distribution. Shoe shining is the process of applying an external substance to the surface of a shoe to improve the materials and make it shinier. Shoe shining has been a part of shoe care for hundreds of years. Adding a shine to a shoe brings polish to an outfit. Shoe polish products are low-value items are frequently purchased as a single but might last for several days. The researchers wanted to produce shoe polish out of the coconut husks, durian husks and corn cobs because we found another use for them. This leads to conduct an experiment using the ashes of coconut husk, durian husks and corn cobs for shoe polish. If these products would be successful, it can help in recycling coconut husks, durian husks and corn cobs and can lessen them to avoid them scattering all over our community. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This study aims to make an effective shoe polish out of ashes from burned coconut husks, durian skins, and corn cobs. Specifically, the study would like to answer the following: * What are the components that are present in the ashes? * How effective is the shoe polish in terms of: – Shine that it could give – Life Span – Color of Polish compared to other brands * What is the difference between the commercial shoe polish from the shoe polish out of ashes from the coconut husks, durian skins, and corn cobs? ASSUMPTION The researchers believed that Coconut husks, Corn Cobs and Durian Skins are effective alternative shoe polish and can make it a source of income. HYPOTHESIS There was no significant difference between the efficiency of our product to the commercial shoe polish that was sold on the market. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY One of the main benefits of a shoe shine is that it helps preserve the material that shoes are made out of. Polishing products also provides the coating of wax on the leather that helps in keeping it waterproof and reduces the dirt accumulated on the leather. Shoe polish also gives a moisturizing effect to the leather and proper care may help in lasting the shoes for several years. Since coconut, durian, and corn is abundant in our country, people can make it a source of livelihood. SCOPE AND LIMITATION The study is focused on the effectiveness of the alternative shoe polish and aims to shine shoes at a long period of time. Furthermore, this study is only limited to the effectiveness, color, shine, duration, and the odor it can give. METHODOLOGY The purpose of this chapter is to present the experimental assumptions underpinning this research, as well as to introduce the research strategy and empirical techniques applied then the materials used in conducting this  study. The chapter defines the scope and limitations of the research design. Materials The researchers utilized the following materials in accomplishing the project: Coconut husks, Corn Cobs, Durian Skins, Coals, Matchsticks, Ashes, Tongs, Strainer, 3 Basins, Pitcher, Water, Measuring Cups, Detergent Bar Soap, Knife, Frying Pan, Spoon, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Dye, and Kerosene. The sun was used as the source of heat to dry the Coconut husks, Corn cobs and Durian skins. The coals and matchsticks are used to burn the three different fruit shells and tongs was used to protect our hands from getting burned. The strainer was used to remove big particles and for us to gather fine ashes. The 3 basins were used as containers of the ashes. The pitcher was used as a container for the water. The measuring cups were used to measure the quantity of the water, citric acid, glycerin, dye and kerosene needed. The knife was used to cut the bar soap. The frying pan and spoon were used in heating up the whole mixture. Procedure The researchers gathered (1) one sack coconut husk, (1) one sack corn cobs and (1) one sack durian skin. After collecting the three different fruit shells the researchers let them stay under the sun for three days to get totally dry. Then after three days the researchers prepared the materials for the burning process. The researchers burned the three different dried fruit shells separately and collected the ashes. Afterwards, they inspect the ashes and they remove the big particles using a strainer. 1.Burn the dried coconut husk, corn cob, and durian skin separately and collect the ashes. 2.Inspect the ashes and remove the big particles. 3.Measure a certain amount of water. 4.Cut the bar soap into small pieces and dissolve it on water. 5.Add the ashes. 6.Heat the mixture until it boils, then stir evenly. 7.After few minutes add the citric acid and the glycerin. 8.Pour into a container. The mixture needs to settle for a number of hours before used.