Preface

This project is on the topic -"Formation of hand sanitizer made

of citrus fruits", in culmination of my efforts and learning
experiences during my course of Bachelor of Pharmacy at Shri
Ram institute of pharmacy. I have worked diligently to design
and implement this project.

"In recent years, the importance of hand hygiene has gained

significant attention globally. Hand sanitizers have become an
essential product in maintaining personal hygiene, especially in
the wake of infectious diseases. This project aims to explore
the potential of citrus fruits in developing a natural and effective
hand sanitizer.

Citrus fruits, known for their antimicrobial properties, offer a

promising alternative to traditional hand sanitizers. This project
endeavors to harness the benefits of citrus fruits to create a
hand sanitizer that is not only effective but also eco-friendly and
sustainable.

Through this project, I hope to contribute to the growing body of

research on natural and innovative solutions for hand hygiene. I
believe that this project will provide valuable insights into the
potential of citrus fruits in hand sanitizer formulation and pave
the way for further research and development in this area."

The project aims to briefly describe the formation and

methodology of hand sanitizer made of citrus fruits like okra.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I take the opportunity to express my gratitude to all the

concerned people who have directly or indirectly contributed
towards the completion of this project.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my project guide
Miss Anchal Yadav ma'am for their expert guidance, valuable
suggestions, and unwavering support throughout the duration
of this project. Their insightful feedback and encouragement
have been instrumental in shaping this project.
I am also grateful to Shri ram institute of pharmacy for providing
the necessary infrastructure and resources to conduct this
project. The faculty members and lab technicians have been
extremely helpful in facilitating the experimentation and testing
process.
I would also like to acknowledge the citrus fruit suppliers/local
farmers/market vendors who provided the necessary raw
materials for this project.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who directly or indirectly
contributed to the success of this project”.

SHUBHAM JAIN

Abstract
This study titled “Utilizing Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and
Citrus Fruits as Hand Sanitizer” aimed to determine the
effectiveness of hand sanitizer in reducing bacterial counts
using okra and citrus fruits as main ingredients and to assess
whether the hand sanitizer is less irritating and fragrant to skin.
The researchers utilized the interview method of data collection
and used it as their research instrument. Based on the
interview and the observations of the respondents who tried the
hand sanitizer, the texture of the product was slightly sticky and
just enough for their hands to handle.
They also observed that it doesn’t feel greasy on the hands and
the odour of the product was soothing and not irritating. The
product is said to be successful by the people or the
respondents who’ve tested the product. It has been proven that
the okra doesn’t have side effects and that using this hand
sanitizer takes lesser amount of time than hand washing, so
people or students can use this directly. It also demonstrated to
be more affordable than the other hand sanitizers because okra
is cheaper than the other alternatives. Lastly, using this product
determined the efficacy in the reduction of bacterial counts on
hands because of the ethyl alcohol that was used.
 Table of content
1) TITLE PAGE
2) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
3) PREFACE
4) ABSTRACT
5) TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTERS

I. INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
B. Statement of the Problem
C. Significance of the Study
D. Scope and Limitation
E. Definition of Terms

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

III. METHODOLOGY
A. Preparing the Materials
B. Procedure in Making
C. Procedure in Testing

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Findings
B. Analysis of Data

V. CONCLUSION
VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Germs are found all over the world, in all kinds of places. They
can invade plants, animals, and people, and sometimes make
people sick. The most common way germs are spread is by the
hands of the people, usually germs are transmitted from
unclean hands to food by an infected individual who didn’t wash
his or her hands after doing certain activities. The germs are
then passed to those who eat the food.

Once germs invade the human bodies, they settle in for a long
stay. They gather up nutrients and energy, and can initiate in
producing toxins, which are proteins that behave or act like
poisons. Toxins can cause symptoms of common infections and
may cause illnesses. Germs are often harmless but can also
cause diseases such as cough, colds, flu, and fever (Brogan,
2018).

The four major types of germs are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and
protozoa. Bacteria are single-celled, very small organisms
thought by some researchers to be related to plants and get
nutrients from their environments in order to live. A virus is an
even smaller micro-organism that can only reproduce inside a
host’s living cell. Most viruses can’t survive very long if they’re
not inside a living thing like an animal or a person. Fungi may
be unicellular or become multicellular by the development of
filaments. Fungi may also cause diseases called mycoses.
Protozoa on the other hand are unicellular organisms that love
moistness and often spread diseases over water (Brogan,
2018).

Washing the hands properly with soap and warm water is the
single most important thing an individual can do to help reduce
the spread of infections (CDC, 2018)and help protect you, your
family and those around you. The researchers came up with
this study because they want to investigate or try out another
interesting product. Yes, there are many problems out there but
as they found out that one of the main problems in the school
room is the lack of alcohol or sanitizer, so they decided to make
this product because it is very handy, affordable and useful.
The researchers also discovered many ideas in the internet but
this product is quite unique and one of a kind since they will use
Okra as the main ingredient. They want to show everyone that
by using fruits and vegetables, they can make a convenient,
useful and an affordable product.

Thus, the researchers came up with this investigatory project to

identify alternative hand hygiene methods because hand
washing facilities in the school are distant from the students’
rooms and this study also wants to demonstrate hand sanitizer
to be as or more effective than hand washing with soap and
water. Lastly, since hand sanitizer doesn’t require the use of
water, it takes lesser amount of time than hand washing which
saves up time for the people concern
 B. Statement of the Problem
The general objective of the study is to determine the
effectiveness of the hand sanitizer. Specifically, the study aimed
to answer the following questions:
1. How effective is the hand sanitizer in reducing bacterial
counts on hands and in hydrating compared with other
products?
2. Do the citrus fruits contained in the hand sanitizers make
the hands fragrant?
3. Does the hand sanitizer be less irritating to skin or make
the hands dry?
4. How affordable will it be compared with other hand
sanitizers?

C.Significance of the Study

The people who will benefit from the study are the students
from any year level, kindergarten to college. The teachers,
faculty members and staff within the school premises will also
benefit from this study. The people who live in urban and rural
areas shall also signify this study. The objective is to help
everyone in the community, spread cleanliness around using
the product. And lastly, for future researchers, to update the
result of the study for further research which can be a source of
information to anyone in need that will be applicable for their
studies which resembles the topic.
 D.Scope and Limitations
The study focuses and tackles about the effectiveness of a
homemade hand sanitizer. The researchers are going to make
a homemade hand sanitizer to help the community of INDIA.
This study is all about the community, the students and the
people. The study will use homemade hand sanitizer because
the researchers want to help the environment in decreasing the
rise of infections.

E. Definition of Terms
Citrus Fruits - are known to grow in warm regions having thick
rind and juicy pulp.
Ethanol - (also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking
alcohol, or simply alcohol) is a chemical compound, a simple
alcohol with the chemical formula C. 2H. 5OH.
Hand sanitizer - also called hand antiseptic or hand rub, agent
applied to the hands for the purpose of removing common
pathogens that can cause certain diseases.
Okra- a warm-season vegetable, also known as gumbo or
ladies' fingers which is a good source of minerals, vitamins and
fibre.
Rural area - or countryside is a geographic area that is located
outside towns and cities.
Toxins - are substances produced by plants and animals that
are poisonous to humans. Toxins also contain some medicines
that are helpful in small doses, but toxic and harmful in large
amounts.
Urban area – is a human settlement with high population
density and infrastructure of built environment.

CHAPTER II – REVIEW OF RELATED

LITERATURE

Hand sanitizers address the challenge of improving hand

hygiene within water- constrained environments. The
antimicrobial efficacy of alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a
waterless hand hygiene product. The health impacts of
stimulating hand sanitizer as an alternative hand hygiene option
for water-constrained environments should be evaluated
Alcohol use has been suggested as an option for hand hygiene.

The risk factors of hand hygiene dilemma were handwashing

practice before meals and after toilet use, toilet use, hygiene
education, number of student toilets at the school, number of
handwash stations for students at the school, cleanliness of
student toilets, no separate toilets for girls, insufficient soap at
handwash stations, inadequate water at handwash stations,
type of toilet, and occurrence of unimproved water storage at
the school.

Handwashing is observed as the most effective way of

monitoring healthcare- associated infection. A search of the
literature recognized 42 intervention studies seeking to
observed increase compliance in which the data were collected
by directly noticing practice.
Infectious diseases continue to be a dilemma on health and
economic problem within certain number of communities.
Though effective hand hygiene education is critical, there has
been a steady weakening in hygiene promotion, especially in
the homes of people. Poor hand hygiene impact is related to
increased occurrences of illness, absences, and their
associated costs. Most important strategies on infection
prevention renewed the commitment to “shared responsibility”
in the homes and classrooms.

Several studies have been conducted to assess and determine

the antimicrobial effectiveness of hand sanitizers alone, but
very few literatures are available to assess the difference
between a number of disinfectants and hand sanitizers.
Disinfectants are agents chemically designed with an
immediate and continued activity which somehow destroys
micro-organisms to such a level directed for hygienic and
surgical indications. Sanitizers, on the other hand, are agents
with an immediate activity that decrease the number of micro-
organisms to a safe level to meet the public health
requirements. Disinfectant uses a better form of alcohol
(propanol) to achieve more bacterial reduction as compared to
sanitizers (ethanol). Both of them may achieve bacterial
reduction on contact.

The effectiveness of ethanol hand sanitizers with or without

organic acids to remove detectable rhinovirus from the hands
and prevent experimental rhinovirus infection. Ethanol hand
sanitizers were significantly more effective than hand washing
with soap and water. The organic acids to the ethyl alcohol
provided residual virucidal activity that continued for a few
hours. Whether these treatments will reduce rhinovirus infection
in the natural setting remains to be determined.
Recent study finds that hand sanitizers could keep people
healthy. The latest hand hygiene research among young
children in schools pointing to hand sanitizer, according to a
study published in a paediatric journal. The researchers found
that children who used hand sanitizer, instead of soap and
water, reduced their sick days, respiratory infections - causing
runny noses or sore throat and antibiotic prescriptions. Hand
sanitizer may differ from an antibacterial soap. It should be
used with water, and is advertised as having the capacity to
eradicate bacteria.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the range of
germs present in hand, and also how the students perceive
hand washing. Contaminated hands play quite a huge role in
fecal-oral transmission of diseases. Harmful microorganisms
such as bacteria, virus, and fungi can be transferred to hands
from contaminated objects and surfaces people come into
contact in daily life.

Apparently, even handwashing is considered to be essential,

there are still disadvantages present and happened to be
labelled as the “hand drying dilemma”. Drying hands after
washing is an important step as not drying them after washing
helps bacteria to survive on them. Hand dryers are claimed to
be less messy, more affordable, and overall, ecologically
friendlier but the paper towel industry defends the paper towel
as being able to accomplish so much more than the hand dryer
will ever be able to do.

According to a Mayo Clinic publication from 2012, paper towels

exhibited greater expectations to hand dryers from a hygiene
perspective, as dyers were less effective in wiping bacteria off
the hands. But in contrast to these findings, University of
Buffalo researchers stated just last year that high-speed hand
dryers were actually more hygienic than paper towels. The
studies may differ with their results; it all comes down to a
matter of choice or preference.

Disadvantages of handwashing lead many researchers to have

further researches on finding alternative methods in hand
hygiene. Hands should be cleaned by rubbing them with an
alcohol-based formulation, as the preferred mean for routine
hygienic hand antisepsis if hands are not visibly soiled. It is
faster, more effective, and better endured by the hands than
washing them with soap and water (WHO, 2009).

Applying hand sanitizer is a great alternative when access to

soap and clean, running water is not available. Once selecting
a hand sanitizer, it should contain at least 60 percent alcohol.
Non- alcohol based and sanitizers with less than 60 percent
alcohol concentration have established to be less effective at
killing germs (UPMC, 2014).

In the present study the effectiveness of hand sanitizers both

alcohol and non-alcohol based claims to kills 99.99%
microorganisms including the most resistant form. The alcohol-
free hand sanitizer; povidone-iodine, benzalkonium chloride or
triclosan have persistent antimicrobial activity for an extended
period and claim to be effective in microorganism eradication.
Still, the efficiency of sanitizer depends on the concentration
and grade of its active ingredient.

Citrus as part of the ingredients is a common term and genus of

flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. These plants are
large shrubs or small trees with spiny shoots and alternately
arranged evergreen leaves with an entire margin. Citrus fruit
has been cultivated in an ever-widening area since ancient
times; the best-known examples are the oranges, lemons,
grapefruit, and limes. The flowers are solitary or in small
corymbs, each flower 2-4 cm diameter, with five (rarely four)
white petals and numerous stamens; they are often very
strongly scented. Citrus fruits are an excellent source of fibre
and vitamin C, which is a nutrient that strengthens the immune
system and keeps the skin smooth and elastic and also, these
fruits are notable for their fragrance. The juice contains a high
quality of citric acid giving them a characteristic flavour.
Another ingredient needed is Okra which is rich in Vitamin A
and flavonoid anti- oxidants like beta-carotene, xanthin and
lutein that help to keep us from lung and oral cavity cancers.
The folates present in okra help to reduce the occurrence of
neural tube defects in new-born babies. Consumption of okra
helps to improve skin health and also help to strengthen bones.
It also takes care of the heart and the entire cardiovascular
system by helping to lessen cholesterol levels and blood
pressure. It may also strengthen immune system.

A study about moisturizing effect on okra polysaccharide-

containing hand rub was formulated to decrease the dryness
caused by traditional hand-cleansing products. The study
concluded that the moisturizing okra polysaccharide was
compatible with the formulations at all concentrations. Thus, the
product containing moisturizing okra is safe, efficacious and
possesses desirable properties.
Moreover, whether it is antibacterial or antimicrobial, hand
sanitizers are not and should not be considered cleaning
agents and are not meant as a replacement for soap and water,
but as a complementary practice. Sanitizers are most effective
when used in conjunction with diligent hand-washing. They play
a substantial role and could be an effective alternative to hand
washing to achieve asepsis for all the health-care professionals
in outreach program, water scarcity areas, and in routine
clinical practice.
Lastly, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the
World Health Organization, and many other health experts
promote hand hygiene as the single most important measure in
the prevention of infections. Thus, stressing proper hand
hygiene is an important first-line
CHAPTER III – METHODOLOGY

A. Preparing the Materials

The materials used for the product are as follows: okra, citrus
fruits peel such as lemon peel and orange peel, ethyl alcohol,
water and we need a blender, a cooking pot, a bowl, a spoon
and a small container.

B. Procedure in Making
The procedure follows step by step proceedings which follow
as:
 First, gather all of the ingredients, we needed a cooking
pot and one litre of water to cook the okra.
 Second, grate the citrus fruits (lemon and orange peel).
 Third, when the okra is done cooking strain the okra to get
the okra slime.
 Fourth, we needed a blender to blend the okra slime and
the citrus fruits peel.
 Fifth, add the ethyl alcohol and the lemon or orange peel
then blend it.
 Sixth, we need a bowl and spoon to get the finish product
then put it in a small container.
 C. Procedure in Testing
The researcher used an interview to know the effectiveness of
the product. The interview was used to hear what the person’s
opinion and observation about the product before and after use.
The interview and the observation will help the researcher to
find out the good effects and the side effects of the product.
 CHAPTER IV – RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

A. Findings
The following are the results of the said product:

FEATURES OKRA GEL+ LEMON PEEL OKRA GEL +

ORANGE PEEL

FRAGRANCE: fresh lemony sweet orangey

COLOR : pale yellow bright yellow

CLARITY: Hazy Turbid

TEXTURE : slightly sticky slightly sticky

The table 1.0 shows the different features of both Okra hand
sanitizers using different types of citrus fruits specifically Lemon
and Orange. Based on the interview and the observations of 3
different people the texture of both products was slightly sticky
and just enough for their hands to handle. They also observed
that it doesn’t feel greasy on the hands and the odor of the
products were both soothing and not irritating. The respondents
suggest creating more of these products with a component that
will make it stickier and not that flowy so as not to waste the
products if badly poured. The respondents expect a more
presentable product the next time they’ll try again to have more
positive feedbacks.

B. Analysis
After the observation and the interview that we conduct, the
product has been proven effective for the people who observed
and tried the product. But the respondents suggest creating this
product with a component that will make it stickier and not that
flowy. The texture of the sanitizer was slightly sticky, and the
clarity or the clearness of the product is hazy for the okra and
lemon peel while the okra and orange peel is turbid. The okra
can be an alternative of aloe vera, and the fragrance of the
fresh lemon that came from the lemon peel and the sweet
fragrance from the orange peel.
 CHAPTER V – CONCLUSION

The product is said to be successful by the people or the

respondents who’ve tested the product. It has been
proven that the okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) can be
an alternative to aloe vera, and it is proven that the okra
doesn’t have side effects especially to the skin. It is
proven that using this hand sanitizer takes lesser
amount of time than hand washing, so people or
students can use this directly. It is more affordable than
the other hand sanitizers because okra is cheaper than
the other alternatives. Using this product can reduce the
bacteria counts on hands because of the ethyl alcohol
that was used. The fresh lemon and sweet orange
fragrance that came from the citrus fruits peel is
pleasing to smell.
 CHAPTER VI BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Brogan, RJ. (2018). What are germs? [cited July 2018].

Retrieved from: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/germs.html

 Centres for Disease Control (2018). Handwashing: Clean

Hands Save Lives. [Internet]. [cited 15 October 2018].
Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-
how-handwashing.html

 Ware, M. (2017). Benefits and uses of Okra [cited 20

October 2017]. Available from:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311977.php

 Thesaurus (2012). The Free Dictionary by Farlex – Citrus

Fruit. Retrieved from:
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/citrus+fruit

 Rogers, K. (2018). Hand sanitizer: Cleansing agent [cited

21 November 2018]. Available from:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/hand-sanitizer

 MedLinePlus (2019). Medical Encyclopedia – Toxins [cited

07 January 2019]. Available from:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002331.htm

 Pickering, A. J., Boehm, A. B., Mwanjali, M., & Davis, J.

(2010). Efficacy of Waterless Hand Hygiene Compared
with Handwashing with Soap