Chemical Engineering Department

College of Engineering and Architecture

Cebu Institute of Technology University
Research Proposal

TITLE OF RESEARCH: Comparative study on the cabinet dried and spray

dried Cucurbita maxima duschene powder and its application to the
culinary industry
PROPONENTS:
Name: Jakosalem, Beth Marionne E.
Address: Lot 1143-E, Sitio Rio, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City
Email Address: bmjako1202@gmail.com
Contact Number: 0932-210-3151
Name: Magno, Antoniette Jane C.
Address: 1094-F, dela Cruz Compound, Basak, Pardo, Cebu City
Email Address: iamantoniette@gmail.com
Contact Number: 0937-401-2963
Name: Miramontes, Kevin Carl
Address: LOT 2-E San Carlos Heights Subdivision, Quiot, Pardo, Cebu
City
Email Address: kmiramontes17@gmail.com
Contact Number: 0922-464-8314
Name: Tacdoro, Maxille M.
Address: 62 Adelfa Street Bliss, Labangon, Cebu City
Email Address: maxtacky@gmail.com
Contact Number: 0922-843-8677
Name: Yamamoto, Hirizza Junko M.
Address: 1094-F, dela Cruz Compound, Basak, Pardo, Cebu City
Email Address: hjmy13@gmail.com
Contact Number: 0933-211-7664

1. Introduction
1.1

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Philippines is an archipelago located in the southeast of
Asia. With approximately 7,100 islands, and as a country
surrounded

by

large

bodies

of

waters,

Philippines

is

blessed with fertile lands. Because of this, different

plants both bearing and nonbearing are abundant in the
Philippines. One of which that is very common is the
squash.
Squash or Cucurbita maxima duschene, a variety belonging
to the family Cucurbitaceae, is a creeping crop producing
fruits

and

is

said

to

be

one

of

the

most

delicious

vegetables. In Australia and New Zealand, it is termed as

Japanese pumpkin and in Japan, it is called as Kabocha.
It was first introduced in Japan by Portuguese sailors
and years later, the variety has scattered all over the
neighboring
maxima

countries

duschene

is

of

Japan.

widely

used

Presently,
ingredient

Cucurbita
for

soups,

multiple

health

cakes, oils, and the like.

Squash

is

wonder

food.

It

contains

benefits such as antioxidants, anti-inflammation, anticarcinogenic,

and

regulates

sugar

levels.

Squash

has

phytochemicals and is a good source of beta-carotene,

lutein,

zeaxanthin,

and

beta-cryptoxanthinantioxidants

that are essential for eye protection against age-related

macular degradation and cataracts. Aside from supporting
the eyes, C. maxima duschene also supports cell growth
and plays a critical role in the normal functioning of
sensitive organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
With a plant as promising as this, squash can be used as
a potential ingredient for different foods in the market.
1.2

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

One of the problems that are rampant nowadays is the slow
decrease of poverty along with the inflation which can
lead to malnutrition.

Children prefer to eat junk food and despise vegetables

resulting to illnesses unpredictable. One of the most
alarming problems is that children at their very young
age tend to survive on junk food rather than get their
eyes

off

from

their

gadgets

thus;

increasing

number

people with poor eyesight happens. Making and additive

out of a vegetable with a good source of Vitamin A can
help parents lessen the worry about their children not
getting enough vitamins and mineral on every day.
1.3

OBJECTIVES
This study is conducted to utilize squash as the main
ingredient for making a food additive that can enhance
the flavor of foods. In detail, this study will also aim
to determine the quality of the powder that would be more
suitable as additive for foods through the use of cabinet
drier and spray drier.

1.4

HYPOTHESIS
Through

the

use

of

the

plant,

C.

maxima

duschene,

cabinet dried powder and a spray dried powder can be made

and be compared in order to determine which product is
better as a food additive.
1.5

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Squash is a versatile plant and is all-year round. It can
be bought and even planted in ones backyard but despite
its abundance, not all eat this plant hence, it ends up
thrown or spoiled, adding to the piling waste in the
city. This study is intended to maximize the potential of
C. maxima duschene and turn it into a marketable product
that different types of people would use. In addition,
this

research

will

also

help

parents

introduce

such

vegetable to children in an appealing manner. This could

help

parents

give

their

children

enough

intakes

of

vitamins and minerals associated with squash through the

food products of which the squash powder was used.

Aside from helping parents, this research also intends to

help farmers in obtaining a higher demand for squash,
increase their monthly income as well as avoidance of the
spoilage of squash, and can serve as a reference for
further researchers to improve such product.
1.6

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

This research is done to compare the quality of cabinet
dried squash and spray dried squash and the products that
are made out of them from a squash that is available only
in Cebu.

2. REVIEW ON RELATED LITERATURE

3. METHODOLOGY