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Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter deals with the presentation of the problem. Specifically, this

includes the introduction, background of the study, statement of the problem,

objectives of the study, hypothesis of the study, scope and delimitations,

significance of the study, and definition of terms.

Introduction

The human body is like a company which has workers who operate and

mobilize the company to make it successful. It is made up of various organs

having their own roles and responsibilities which help to function in the body. In

addition to the different body systems responsible for the functions of the body,

human skin also has an important job to protect the body system.

Skin plays a fundamental role on people’s body. It acts as a barrier

against chemicals and bacteria entering the body system. It is the main

introduction for people’s eyes, it can be an impression or perspective about

someone. It can be an indicator to know the age by just looking at someone

else’s wrinkles or if someone is dealing with a skin condition. The human skin

serves as a masquerade and as a soldier to human’s body. It acts as a defense

from the external environment. It comes in various purposes that are very

important to human’s body. Primarily, it protects someone from ultraviolet rays

that comes from the sun and serves as a defense between someone and harmful

microorganisms and many more.

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In contrast, microorganisms like bacteria and fungi may disrupt the skin,

causing it to deal with different skin conditions and skin may get infected.

Everyone can experience it including animals. This occurs when there are

microorganisms like fungus, parasites and bacteria that build up on human’s

skin. These microorganisms can only be seen through the use of microscope.

They can be found everywhere. However, these can be harmful nor beneficial to

humans. They are separated into different categories including fungi, bacteria,

algae, viruses and protozoa.

A wide range of germs cause skin infections, and symptoms can range

from mild to severe. Many are harmless or even good to humans, but some can

cause problems. Staphylococcus aureus is gram-positive, sphere-shaped

(coccal) bacteria the often cause skin infections. The most common form of

Staphylococcus aureus is skin infections. This may occur in different ways, like

minor, harmless lesions, folliculitis, impetigo, cellulitis, and more serious,

infectious infections of soft tissue. For individuals with atopic dermatitis, most

commonly known as eczema, aureus is extremely prevalent. It is found mostly in

rich, active areas, like axes, skin, and scalp. The bacteria can spread from

person to person through direct contact, through contaminated objects (such as

gym equipment, telephones, door knobs, television remote controls, or elevator

buttons), or, less often, by inhalation of infected droplets dispersed by sneezing

or coughing. It usually does not trigger healthy skin infection; but, if it is permitted

to enter the bloodstream or inner tissues, it may cause a variety of potentially

serious infections.
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Over - the-counter medications and home remedies can be used to treat

mild infections, whereas other infections may require medical attention. Ones

caused by bacteria usually can be cured with antibiotics, though some bacteria

have become resistant to the drugs and are harder to kill. These are in a form of

creams, lotions or even a pill which usually needs prescription from a

professional doctor. Medication or prescription creams can stop most fungal

infections, and there are several ways to treat viruses. While this may be

effective, there are a lot of side effects when people use creams as medication

that is not suitable for their skin type. They can experience stinging, swelling,

itching, irritation, dryness, or redness of the treated skin.

There are various herbal medicines that can be use on treating wounds,

scars and infections. Lemongrass oil is a tropical medicinal crop used in herbal

medicine and cooking. Extracted from the lemongrass plant's leaves and stalks,

basic lemongrass oil has a heavy citrus scent. This is widely used in soaps and

other products of personal care. The researchers came up with an alternative

remedy that can be used to treat such bacteria, the use of lemongrass oil as an

antibacterial agent to Staphylococcus aureus.

Background of the Study

Staphylococcus aureus or “staph” is a type of bacteria that can be present

and found on human skin, like the nose, armpit, groin, and other areas. While

these germs don’t always cause harm, they can make a person sick under the

right circumstances. This bacteria is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue
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infections, such as abscesses, boils, furuncles, and cellulitis (red, swollen,

painful, warm skin). Staphylococcus aureus germs can also cause more serious

infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, endocarditis and bone

and joint infections. Anyone can develop this infection and are more likely to the

people with conditions such as diabetes, cancer, vascular disease, eczema, lung

disease and people who injects drugs. Patients who have undergone certain

types of surgeries, patients who are hospitalized in intensive care units and

patients with inserted medical devices in their bodies has a greater risk of a more

serious infections made by staphylococcus aureus bacteria and treatment of this

infection is highly depends on the type of infection caused by the bacteria.

Practice of proper hand hygiene, keeping infected area covered and clean and

avoiding sharing personal items are ways to prevent staphylococcus aureus

infection.

The researchers wanted to prove that students and worker who suffered

on staphylococcus aureus infection that there is still an herbal treatment which is

lemon grass oil and oregano oil that can be used to prevent and treat this

common infection. The researchers wanted to help the students and workers to

stop the Staphylococcus infection on spreading and be at its worst situation.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to gather data on how Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) Oil

and Oregano (Origanum Vulgare) Oil affects Staphylococcus Aureus.

Specifically, this sought answers for the following questions:

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1. How effective is the lemongrass oil and oregano oil as an antibacterial of

staphylococcus aureus in terms of the following setups:

1.1 50% of Lemongrass Oil and 50% of Oregano Oil (A)

1.2 25% of Lemongrass Oil and 75% of Oregano Oil (B)

1.3 75% of Lemongrass Oil and 25% of Oregano Oil (C)

2. Is there a significant difference on the effect of the three solutions based on

antimicrobial susceptibility test results?

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to know whether Lemongrass

(Cymbopogon) Oil and Oregano (Origanum Vulgare) Oil is an effective

antibacterial of Staphylococcus aureus. Specifically, it aimed to:

1. Determine the effectiveness of lemongrass oil and oregano oil against

Staphylococcus aureus.

2. Determine which among all the setup has the best antibacterial effect.

3. Give awareness to people as well as to inform them about the benefits of

using lemongrass and oregano for antibacterial purposes.

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Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework is presented using the IPO (Input Process

Output) model. This process illustrates the model of making a solution of oregano
and lemongrass oil with different concentrations. This serves as the course of
how the study was conducted.

This part presents the systematic experimentation of the study. It focused

on the input of the research, the process and the output of the research. The IPO

model shows the series of steps and procedures to the experiment. The input

stage included the gathering of oregano leaves, lemongrass and begun the

preparation of the setup. The researchers also prepared the bacteria

staphylococcus aureus provided by an accredited hospital. The process included

extraction of oil from the oregano leaves and lemongrass oil through boiling

process. After the extraction of oil, the researchers prepared the different setups

of concentration of oil using a syringe to have an accurate measurement of

solutions. The disc diffusion tests were performed at the laboratory of hospital.

This was done to determine effectiveness of different concentrations on the

staphylococcus aureus. An agar plate is first spread with bacteria, then filter

paper disks are added. This method is used to determine the effective solution to

be used against the bacteria.

The results of the experiment were attained through observation and

drawing conclusion based on the findings. The effectiveness of the concentration

of oregano and lemongrass oil in different setups were easily determined through

the results whether there is a zone of inhibition or none.

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Input Process Output

 Staphylococcus  Extraction of oil  Solutions that

Aureus from Oregano will contain

and Lemongrass different

 Gathering of concentrations

Lemongrass  Process of of Oregano and

stalks producing the Lemongrass oil

different as antibacterial

 Gathering of concentrations of agent

Oregano leaves Oregano and

Lemongrass Oil

 Preparation of

Laboratory  Disc Diffusion

Tools Test

Figure 1: Effectiveness of Lemongrass Oil (Cymbopogon) and

Oregano Oil (Origanumvulgare) as Home Remedy for
Staphylococcus Aureus
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Hypothesis of the Study

There is no significant difference between the results in antimicrobial

susceptibility test results.

Scopes and Limitations

This study determined the effectiveness of lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon

Citratus) and oregano oil (Origanum Vulgare) for the skin infections caused by

the staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

The study was only limited to three set-ups of the oil. Set-up A had 50

percent lemongrass oil and 50 percent oregano oil. Set-up B with the 25 percent

lemongrass oil and 75 percent oregano oil. Lastly, Set-up C with the 75 percent

lemongrass oil and 25 percent oregano oil.

Lemongrass was extracted by steaming the grass and by making a hot oil

infusion. Enough amount of lemongrass stalks was used for hot oil infusion.

Oregano oil extraction was performed by doing the distinct distillation process.

The extraction of the oil was performed through the use of kitchen tools.

This study was limited only to the effect of the oil to staphylococcus

aureus. The researchers used three different mixtures of lemongrass oil and

oregano oil samples in a form of spray. The spray bottles that contains the

different mixtures of the oil are used for testing the effect of each mixture

samples as an antibacterial agent. The different setups will be divided into three

setups and applied to three agar plates that contains the bacteria each setup.
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The study was started on August of the current year and conducted the

experiment at Batangas State University, St. Patrick’s Hospital and Batangas

City.

Significance of the Study

The purpose of this study is to help people who experience skin

diseases caused by staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It will also give awareness

to people that lemongrass (cymbopogon) oil is usually used for food and

beverages. In addition, this will also provide knowledge that oregano (origanum

vulgare) oil which is used for healing purposes. This actually can be an

antibacterial of Staphylococcus aureus. The importance of the study might be

applied to the following:

Students or Workers who have skin diseases caused by

Staphylococcus Aureus. This study can help the students and workers to have

a remedy to treat and cure skin disease caused by bacteria like pimple. The

study can help in finding the fastest and convenient way to remove the bacteria

and bring back the healthy condition of the infected skin of the students or

workers.

Community. The study helps the community to know the good effects of

the lemongrass oil and oregano oil as an antibacterial for Staphylococcus

Aureus. This will serve as a new effective solution and help the community to

decrease the rate of the people who experience skin diseases caused by

Staphylococcus Aureus. This study will help the community to be informed on

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how the lemongrass oil and oregano oil found in the backyard or garden can be

used as agent against the bacteria. They may also learn not to buy the product

that will not help the infection to be cured.

Government, this study will give knowledge about lemongrass oil that can

be used as an antibacterial for S. Aureus instead of always using it for food and

beverages purposes. The same as this study will also give awareness for using

oregano oil as an antibacterial instead of using it only for healing purposes.It can

also be another source of income for lemongrass and oregano oil vendors that

can help their living.

Researchers. This study will help the researchers to expand their knowledge

about Staphylococcus Aureus treatment and gather new and more knowledge

about the best treatment for the skin diseases caused by Staphylococcus

Aureus.

Future Researchers. This experimental study will serve as a reference and

guide for the future researchers who may research the topic about the

effectiveness of the lemongrass oil and oregano oil as antibacterial for

Staphylococcus Aureus. The future researchers can use the study to find more

effective ways to cure the skin diseases caused by S. Aureus and find more

improvement to the lemongrass oil and oregano oil.

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Definition of Terms

Agar plate. It is a Petri dish that contains a growth medium used to culture

microorganisms or small plants like the moss Physcomitrella patens.

(STANDS4LLC, 2019)

Antibacterial. It is anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or

their ability to reproduce. Heat, chemicals such as chlorine, and antibiotic drugs

all have antibacterial properties. (William Shiel Jr., 2018)

Cymbopogon Citratus. A member of the Poaceae family, it is commonly known

as lemon grass, is a perennial tropical grass with thin, long leaves and is one of

the main medicinal and aromatic plants cultivated in Algeria (Mohamed

Boukhatem, 2014)

Disc diffusion. It is the Kirby–Bauer test or one of the classic microbiology

techniques, and it is still very commonly used. Because of convenience,

efficiency, and cost, the disc diffusion method is probably the most widely used

method for determining antimicrobial resistance around the world. (Tim Sandle,

2016)

Extraction. It is a way to separate a desired substance when it is mixed with

others. The mixture is brought into contact with a solvent in which the substance

of interest is soluble, but the other substances present are insoluble.

Microorganisms. These are organisms, commonly known as bacteria, fungi or

virus. This can only be seen through the microscope due to its size (Bradley,
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2012). In this study, bacteria are classified to be a microorganism because these

ca only be seen through the use of microscope.

Origanum Vulgare. (Also referred to as Spanish thyme and wild marjoram), it is

a member of the plant family Lamiaceae, is generally the spice variety sold as

oregano in Europe and the United States. Medicinal uses for oregano date back

to the ancient Greek and Roman empires where applications of the leaves were

used to treat such maladies as skin sores and relieve aching muscles and as an

antiseptic. (Singletary, 2010)

Skin. It is the largest organ, covering over 22 square feet of human’s body. This

serves as protection from harmful microorganisms that can harm one’s body

(Ebling and Montagna, 2019). In this study, skin plays an important role in the

body and can easily targeted by bacteria.

Skin disease. This kind of disease is caused by the bacteria or fungus trapped in

skin pores. In this study, skin disease is one of the most common problems of the

skin which can be experienced by both humans and animals.

Staphylococcus aureus. It is a bacterium that can cause a variety of illnesses

through suppurative or nonsuppurative (toxin-mediated) means. It is a common

cause of skin and skin structure infections as well as osteoarticular infections in

the pediatric population (DevlynneOndusko& Dawn Nolt, 2018)