Topical Ointment made of Lemon (Citrus limon) and Orange (Citrus sinensis) Peels

with Honey Infused in Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil to promote

Wound Healing
Researchers:
Alcano, Neneth P.,Lopez, Kimberly Ann P., Villena, Antoinette André R.
Research Adviser:
Ms. Diana Kyth P. Conti
Divine Word College of Calapan
Basic Education Department
Tibag, Calapan City, Phil. 5200
S.Y.: 2018-2019
INTRODUCTION and healing enhancing properties [4]
Coconut(Cocos Nucifera L.) is one of that has been used as a natural
the most common fruit produce in remedy for wounds since ancient times.
tropical countries like Philippines Its antimicrobial property kills the
and is widely recognized as a “wonder malodor producing anaerobes and
fruit” because every piece proves to bactericides species [5],hence it
have use and can benefit in various prevents the spread of bacteria.
ways. It is a source of food, drink Various physicochemical properties of
which is utilized for it’s various honey are useful in the treatment of
health benefits and used as wounds while its high osmolarity slows
traditional medicine by many down the bacterial reproductions.
cultures[1] and its endosperm which is
used in processing diverse edible Honey controls the
product is one of the components of hypertrophic scarring resulting in
our study. less scar tissue.[6][7] It
According to Ayurvedic System of improves circulation and supplies more
Medicine ,Coconut oil has been used in oxygen and nutrients to facilitate the
various skin disorders including wound tissue repair and healing.[8] The
healing and anti-microbial infections acidic nature of honey is responsible
which is related to the purpose of the to the release of oxygen in high
study. quantity
from the hemoglobin in wound site
Virgin Coconut Oil, in contrast from which promotes the granulation tissue
the processing from the copra, is to repair wounds.[9]Based on growing
obtained from coconut milk and went evidences of effectiveness, use of
through the wet process. Through this honey as a natural antimicrobial wound
process we can avoid the loss of healing agent has increased
biologically active minor components significantly.[10]
like vitamins and polyphenols.[2]
Although there are already available
On other hand, Citrus fruits are wound healing products in the market
important medicinal plant of the that are high priced and may hamper
family Rutaceae, namely orange (citrus the effective management of the
sinensis) and lemon (citrus limon. wounds. This problem rouses the
Citrus fruits have a broad spectrum of interest of we the researchers would
biological activity such as still formulate a much more efficient
antibacterial and antifungal ointment that is not only low cost but
activities due to alkaloids [3], it readily available and safe to use. Our
also contain properties such as study is advantageous as it will
anticlotting and strong antioxidant decrease the process for the
activity (Middleton and Kandaswami, extraction of materials which is
1994; helpful for the future researchers to
Montanari et al., 1998; Samman et al., formulate a less expensive topical
1996) that can assist the safe ointment.
recovery of the wound from the
microbes in the surrounding. The researchers sought to answer the
following questions; can the product
Citrus fruits are highly consumed help in reducing the appearance of
worldwide and most often the peel is scar in a person’s skin?, how can the
discarded as waste, yet it contains a researchers show the effectiveness of
variety of secondary components with their product which consists of orange
substantial antioxidant activity and lemon peels, honey and coconut
(Manthey and Grohmann,2001. It is also oil?, what is in honey and coconut oil
a good source of molasses, pectin and that could be efficient as a topical
limonene (Bocco et al., 1998) that are ointment alternative?, how can the
also beneficial in reducing skin ointment be preserved for a long term
inflammation that is an excellent aid use?
in the wound healing.
This study is limited since the
Honey is a gift of nature which is product was only tested to one
endowed with the possession of subject, who has a type of wound
antimicrobial, analgesic, anti classified as abrasion and has a type
inflammatory, haemostatic of skin, classified as dry. This
product is only applicable for those
people who have an abrasion wound, Freeze the finished topical ointment
people who have dry skin, and those The topical ointment was subjected
people who have no allergic reaction under 40◦F for 24 hours.
towards the mentioned ingredients.
TABLE 1
Measurement Of Ingredients
MATERIALS AND METHODS Ingredients Measurements
The researchers considered to use
lemon and orange peels ,honey ,coconut Grinded Orange And 3 tablespoons
oil and the equipment blender to be Lemon Peels
use in making the ointment.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Honey 3 tablespoons

Coconut Oil 25 ml

The table above shows the ratio of

ingredients used in making the topical
ointment.

RESULTS

Preparation of Materials
The two solid endosperm of a mature
coconut was harvested locally, crushed
and squeezed into a cheese cloth to
obtain coconut milk. Orange and lemon
peels derived from the waste of orange
and lemon fruitsgrowninternationally.
Honey harvested from the honey bees
produced locally in the Philippines’
floral sources.

Extraction of VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil)

The coconut milk obtained from the
endosperm of a mature coconut was
freeze for 48 hours until the fatty
and water layer separated. The fatty The table above shows the changes in
layer is removed and subjected into the abrasion wound of the test subject
mild heating in 50◦C transferred into from Day 0 to Day 7
cheese cloth and was squeezed to
obtain oil. DISCUSSION
The researchers conducted a test to
Grinding of Orange and Lemon Peels show the effectiveness of their
The acquired derivatives from lemon topical ointment which was tested on
and orange fruits were then grinded the chosen test subject with an alias
into small pieces. “Nicollete”
for confidentiality reasons from the
Emulsify Honey alongside the peels in given consent form. The test was
conducted during 9th to 16th of March
the VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil)
The honey was blend in the decocted 2019,and pictures were taken each day
every 6:30 in the morning and at night
virgin coconut oil including the
grinded orange and lemon peels under after the application of the ointment.
low heat for about 20 minutes. And
transfer to a container
RECOMMENDATION [2] Pediatr. 1975; 24(4): 143-166.
The product was then tested by a Jayasekara C, Gunathilake KDPP (Eds.).
practicing dermatologist Dr.Mercy R. Processing
Villena,FPDS and she recommend the technologies for virgin coconut oil
following for the future researchers; and coconut based
The scent of the coconut oil is confectionaries and beverages.
overwhelming ,and must find ways to Proceedings of International
reduce it by letting the scent of Coconut Summit. 2007 May 7-11; Kochi,
lemon and orange peels to cover it and India.
for the future researchers ,they need [3] Akhilesh K, Raghvendra P, Vikas
to find a way to lessen the oiliness S, Madhulika G. Antimicrobial
of the base.We researchers recommend property of lemon peel extract. Natl J
on having more test subjects with Universal Pharm Life Sci
different skin and wound types to 2012;52:382-6.
maximize the results of the ointment. [4] Wang, Haixia, Zhang, zipu, Guo,
C Aijun. Natural medical dressing.
ONCLUSION Faming Zhuanli Shenqing Gongkai
Based on the test results, the Shuomingshu 2009. 5pp
researchers have observed traces of
redness and, at the same time, the [5] Pieper B. Honey-based dressings
dryness in the subject’s wound in the and wound care: an option for
early days of application of the care in the United States. J Wound
topical ointment during Day 2 – 5 but Ostomy Continence Nurs
nonetheless; on Day 7, results show 2009;36(1):60–6.
that some of the subject’s wound faded [6] Subrahmanyam M. Topical
completely while the left wounds are application of honey in treatment of
less noticeable and much more healed burns. Br J Surg 1991;78:497–8.
compared to Day 0.
The researchers conducted a test to [7] Molan PC. Reintroducing honey in
show the effectiveness of their the management of wounds
topical ointment through the
application of their ointment to the [8] Pieper B. Honey-based dressings
chosen test subject, alias and wound care: an option for
‘Nicolette’. care in the United States. J Wound
REFE Ostomy Continence Nurs
RENCES 2009;36(1):60–6.
[1] Anzaldo FE, Kintanar QL, Recio [9] Sharp A. Beneficial effects of
RA, Velasco RU, de la Cruz honey dressings in wound
F, Jacaine A. Coconut water as management. Nurs Stand J
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[10] Molan PC. Potential of honey in
the treatment of wounds and
burns. Am J Clin Dermatol 2001;2:13–9.