13
Researches at UST Pave New Uses of Plants
Antibiotics
from Papaya Seeds
and Other Researches in Biology
The Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Santo Tomas has
released the results of thirteen group researches conducted by graduating
students in BS Botany. These researches
were aimed at exploring the vast uses of plants as food and as source of useful
products for pharmacology and industry.
They offer alternatives to natural healing as well as in tapping the
hidden wealth of plants as antibiotics, elixir and many other uses.
1.
Antibiotics from papaya seeds
Casas JM, Cadiz RI, Calvelo AM and
MC Cremen
With the increasing resistance of
bacteria to the group of Penncilium antibiotics, scientists are looking into
more potent antibiotics. Modern
antibiotics however, are expensive and are not readily available particularly
in the countryside. But natural antibiotics abound in nature. One such source is the ordinary papaya,
specifically the native or solo variety.
The researchers claim that the papain in papaya has an antibiotic
property and the most likely part where the active compound is concentrated is
the seeds, which are thrown away for no use except as propagation
material. The seed oil is potent against
both gram negative and gram positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus. .
This explains why papaya is a health food.
Although the oil has also
shown anti-fungal effects, the researchers recommend further studies in this
aspect. They also recommend further studies in the preparation of the seed oil
as antibiotic drop or ointment.
2.
Mosquito repellant from bottle brush (Salix sp)
Clemente R, Landan RP Luquinario MI
and P Padua
If there is a way to rid mosquitoes
from attacking us without net or special paraphernalia, it is that advertised
“Off” mosquito repellant. But the commercial products are synthetic compounds
and reports claim that they are carcinogenic affecting not only the skin but
internal organs as well since poison can be absorbed by the skin and into the
blood stream and other tissue of the body. The researchers collected the
volatile oil of the weeping willow which is also known as bottle brush for the
formation and shape of the leaves. With ethyl alcohol as solvent, the
preparation was tested against house mosquitoes (Culex pipens) in the
same manner as the advertised commercial product is used. The results are positive.
3. Make your own Marker Ink from
Mayana
Galang E, Cu MV, Constantino A and C
Flores
Marker inks or colorants come in
bright green, pink, blue and in different hues and shades. They are used to highlight keywords and
sentences, terms or simply for arts and graphics. Commercial highlighters as
these markers are commonly called, are imported from Japan, US, Germany and
China. Local brands make use of imported colorants. Mayana (Coleus blumei) is a colorful
annual plant, dominantly red, maroon, green pink, yellow in various patterns
and combinations. The researchers extracted the pigment using volatile
solvents. Comparing the different cultivars of mayana, they came up with two
dominant colors. Flesh to brown color
appeared to be the best among the colors tested. Drying time compared to the commercial brands
is the same. The researchers recommend other possible plant colorants such as Carissa, duhat (Syzygium) and bright petalled plants like Hibiscus.
4.
Makabuhay and Neem tree extracts are effective in control cockroach (Periplaneta
Americana)
Tenorio RW, Nudo L, Roxas R and AC Uichanco
Macabuhay (Tinospora rhumphii)
is a liana that grows in the wild.
Previous experiments proved that its extract is effective in controlling
common rice insect pest and the golden kuhol. Could it be effective in controlling
the tough and elusive cockroach? The
same question was raised on Neem (Aziderachta asiatica) PHOTO, known as
insecticide tree that was introduced into the country from India in the
sixties. According to the researchers, extracts of both plants proved effective
as direct spray on cockroach.
Comparative effectiveness showed that the diluted extract of makabuhay
gave a higher mortality that the pure extract, indicating the synergistic
effect of water solvent, but only for makabuhay. Neem extract at low level
dilution is more effective than that of makabuhay at the same level.
While synthetic chemical sprays are more effective than these herbal extracts,
the advantage of the latter is their being safe to humans and the environment
and does not leave toxic residues.
5. Rat Poison from the Seed of Botong (Barringtona
asiatica)
Perez R, Dela Cruz K, Rivera M and J
Santos
If botong (Barringtona asiatica)
is effective as fish poison, could it be effective as rat poison just as
well? The researchers found it to be
effective, but the problem to lure the rodents to eating the bait is a
problem. This is because of the shy
nature of rats and their oliphagous characteristic that is they eat a wide
range of food under natural field condition.
When starved rats may consume any available food and this may include
poison baits. The advantage of using
plant poison is its safe nature to humans and the environment. Presently used compounds include arsenicals,
anticoagulants under the brand names Dethmor, Racumin, Dora, and the deadly
“1081” a zinc phosphide compound which is now banned in the market.
6.
Botong (B. asiatica) is safer poison against fish pest
Dequina MJ, Castro JC, Limtin R and J Patawaran
This is the rational of the
experiment: Is there a safer compound than synthetic pesticides to clean up
fishponds in order to eliminate fish predators at seeding time? It is a known
practice among fishpond owners to use Malathion, Endrin, and other chlorinated
hydrocarbon, as well as phosphate compounds to eliminate fish such as tilapia,
dalag, and Poecillia after harvesting a fishpond. These remaining fish pose danger as predator
of bangus fries raised in the next season.
The researchers found out that the extract of botong seeds (Barringtona
asiatica) is an effective substitute.
Like other plant extract, it is environment friendly and leaves
non-toxic residue to the incoming fries and fingerlings.
7.
Bunga de Jolo is a potential bacteriocide.
Villaluz MC, Enebrad K, Garcia R and
V Guzman
Vetchia merillii, a palm relative of the bunga (Areca catechu) was
found to have a unique potency against the bacterium, Bacillus proteus
as well as others pathogens causing
infection. Direct extract from the seed
showed potent inhibition against the
test organisms, a feat the control (Penncilium type) failed to show. This explains the usefulness of bunga de jolo
as a substitute of Areca in the absence of the latter. Both produce nuts, which
are used by older people for mastication with or without the betel leaf and the
occasional lime that goes with the preparation.
8.
Common moss as a practical source of antibiotics
Nabong W, Aquino M, Orlino C Ramos J
and H Sumabit
The common moss often used in its dried form as substrate
for orchids has a puzzling characteristic.
It resists rotting and does not arbor the breeding of microorganisms
that are pathogenic to the orchid. From
this observation coupled by the fact that indigenous people use dried moss to
cover wounds and skin diseases, led the researches to conduct an experiment on
the antibiotic properties of mosses. The results are positive to bacteria causing
skin infection, but the range of antibiosis has yet to be determined. The
researchers recommend that further studies be conducted on methods of
extraction, other than the use of ethanol, in isolating the active principle
which is the key to the antibiotic property of mosses.
9.
Yes, you can
grow pechay and tilapia in an aquarium.
Del Rosario L, De La
Calzada GR, Javillonar C, and V Roquero
This research is based on palay-isdaan,
an indigenous practice in low lying ricelands where rice and fish naturally
grow together during the monsoon months. Thus, the researchers experimented on
growing pechay (Brassica chinensis) in an aquarium medium, which can at
the same time sustain the normal growth of tilapia (Tilapia nilotica). The result promises another aspect of urban
green revolution where hobbyists can combine the growing of fish in home
aquarium with the production of vegetables.
The idea may be the answer to having fresh and safe food supply for the
home and neighborhood, and in maintaining a balance aquarium with lesser cost.
10.
Beware of Ganoderma food
supplement
Africa MA, Abulencia HM, Bautista A
and AM Bebanco
This shelf fungus comes as food
supplement, mainly as pre-packed coffee and tea, and advertised in several
names. White mice fed freely with
the raw fungus died after a few days.
Even those given with limited amounts showed adverse physiologic effects
like loss in weight, thinning of hair, and progressive weakness. Many died after two or three weeks. The
results indicate that the fungus has toxic effect. It will be recalled that
among the most poisonous materials occurring in nature come from fungi, the
classical example is the Amanita mushroom which when mistakenly eaten by
humans can cause instant death. There is no known antidote of mushroom
poisoning. At minimal dosage however, not exceeding 10 mg per 1 kg body weight,
the test animals gained weight faster than those not given with Ganoderma.
Thus the researchers recommend judicious use of the food supplement, as it may
be deleterious to health contrary to the claims of its manufacturers and
distributors.
11.
Alginate from Sargassum can increase the shelf life of fruits
Tumambing K, Santok G, Seares A and
V Verzola
If you happen to be walking along
the beach those dry brown seaweeds washed ashore could bring in a lot of
profit, not only as source of algin and alginic acid which are extracted for
food conditioner and for industrial use.
The researchers found out that by extracting the alginate substance by
ordinary means, the extract is effective in delaying the spoilage of fruits
such as mango, papaya and banana. The
extract is diluted 5 to 10 percent with water before the ripe or ripening
fruits are immersed, then allowed to dry.
The alginate compound leaves a coating on the fruit that delays ripening
from two to four days, at the same time protects it from microorganisms that
cause rotting and spoilage.
12.
Is it true that Caulerpa seaweed eaters live healthier and longer lives?
Chua AG, Fancubit AL, Flores F and
MR Liwag
Ilocanos in particular, who love to eat lato or ar-arusip
are known to enjoy healthy and long lives. Is it a myth? The researchers found
out that this green seaweed sold
commercially in two species, C. lentelifera and C. racemosa,
possess antibiotic properties. Raw extract has been found effective in
destroying bacteria, such as Pseudococcus and Escherischia coli, common pathogens causing human ailments. Aside from this property, Caulerpa
contains caulerpine that to many people has relaxing effect, but
excessive intake of the vegetable may cause dizziness. It is the only known edible seaweed that
causes this symptom. This active
principle may be tapped for its tranquilizing effect.
13.
How good are commercial organic fertilizers as claimed by their manufacturers?
Olivenza CR, King A, Reyes CJ and A
Young
There are a number of organic
fertilizers in the market manufactured from various raw materials. As such there is no standard set particularly
for their nutrient content. They are
advertised with various advantages which the researchers in this study say only
by experimentation on at least one plant indicator can resolve – pechay (Brassica
chinensis). The results of the experiment are varied and therefore support
the theory that organic fertilizers in the market do not have standard effects
on the growth and development patterns on the test plant. The researchers
believe that fortification of organic fertilizers with chemical fertilizers
improves the formula and helps solve
nutrient deficiency. ~
