The Effect of Calamansi Rind (Citrofortunella microcarpa)

as Cockroach Population Control

A Technical Report
Presented to:
Mr. Roldan S. Cardona
Faculty, Philippine Normal University
Isabela Campus

In partial fulfilment of the requirements in the course

S-Sci (Statistics for Science Teachers)

Presented by:
Crissa B. Buensuceso
Abigail D. Castillo
Valen Jane M. Liggayu
Joshua A. Purgarillas
IIBSE2 (General Science)

March 2015

The Effect of Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) Rind

as Cockroach Population Control

I.

Introduction

The introduction of synthetic pesticides in treating health, agricultural and economic

problems caused by pests since before the second millennium have shown benefits but as these
pesticides consumption rate continues to increase, it is slowly starting to become apparent that
the negative effects of these pesticides far outweighs their benefits. Some studies even found out
that pesticides are known to cause carcinogenic effects and endocrine system disruption (Torosov
et. al., 2002) and a disruptor to the normal processes of the cardiovascular, respiratory,
neurological and immunological systems (Lin et. al., 2013), as well as increasing the mortality
rates and decreasing the life expectancies of non-targeted animals accidentally exposed to them
(Dzugan et.al., 2011). Thus, decreasing the use of these pesticides can not only help in reducing
the output of environmental hazards, it has economical and health benefits as well. And so this
simple research was formulated to find and propose a natural alternative to these synthetic pesticides.
Industrial and residential buildings are often the chosen habitats of pests like cockroaches, rats
and termites and pesticides are often used by humans to control the population of these pests. Of the three
mentioned, cockroaches are the most common target of these synthetic pesticides.

These cockroaches are not only one of the dirtiest pests that has developed diverse and
varied survival mechanisms which allows them to survive in different environmental conditions
(freezing or hot temperature greater than 70 degrees Fahrenheit) but they can also endure no food
intake for months. Possessing these characteristics permits this species to survive quite well.
Cockroaches are also carriers of many probable bacteria that can potentially harm human health.
Results from a nationwide study on factors that affect asthma in inner-city children also showed
that cockroach allergens appear to worsen asthma symptoms more than either dust mite or pet
allergens. (JACI, 2005)
On the other hand, Calamansi, a well-known plant found in the Philippines and is
abundant in Isabela is recognized as a source of vitamins and minerals and has many medicinal
and insect killing properties. In fact, Calamansi contains Limonenes, a cyclic terpene that is
observed to deter and kill not only insects but as well as arachnids. Furthermore, using the rind
of the calamansi fruit that is often discarded as garbage as a pesticide not only gives economic
benefits but environmental benefits as well.

And so this simple research was formulated in hopes of using the extract of the rinds of
calamansi fruit, (Citrofortunella microcarpa), as an alternative to synthetic pesticides used to
control the population of cockroaches.