CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

The average adult has approximately 21 square feet of skin, which weighs
9 lbs and contains more than 11 miles of blood vessels, thus making it a vital part
of our body and must be taken care of. Our skin is pliable and tough, which allows
it to take constant damage from the external environment. One of the factors
that affects our skin and causes damage in the process is the sunlight. Our skin
protect itself from those environmental factors in the form of melanin.

Ultraviolet rays are Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from
the sun, which can burn the skin, and may cause skin cancer. UV radiation is
made up of three types of rays -- ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and
ultraviolet C (UVC). The dimensions of their wavelength are roughly 400-320nm for
UV-A, 320-290nm for UV-B and 209-200nm for UV-C. Although it may be observed
that the shorter wavelength and the lower the number, the greater the energy
level of the light and the more damage it can do. Ultraviolet C is the most harmful
type of Ultraviolet rays, fortunately those waves are absorbed by the gases in the
atmosphere before it reaches the ground. UV-A and UV-B on the other hand
manage to enter the atmosphere and is associated with skin aging and skin
burning. Over the time, many natural products have been developed to counter
the harmful effects of Ultraviolet rays and prevent all types of skin from various
damages. Our study focus on such type of flower which serves as a sunscreen in
the ancient times.

Rose Mallow Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, an evergreen shrub growing 1-

3 meters, flowers frequently in hot and humid conditions. Endemic to Southeast
Asia, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is grown ornamentally worldwide, and is one of the
most common plants to use in laboratories for its flower. The flowers are large,
generally red in the original varieties, and firm, but generally lack any scent.
Numerous varieties, cultivars, and hybrids are available, with flower colors
ranging from white through yellow and orange to scarlet and shades of pink, with
both single and double sets of petals. In medicine, however the red flowered
variety is preferred (Adhirajan). The leaves and flowers are observed to be
promoters of hair growth and aid in healing of ulcers (Nadkami).Flowers have
been found to be effective in the treatment of arterial hypertension and to have
significant antifertility effect according to traditional texts it is well accepted that
the leaves and flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis have hair growth promoting and
antigreying properties (Nadkami).

The use of natural components to make a sunscreen is an efficient way to

utilize and propagate the use of what’s present in our surrounding. As Rose Mallow
Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a very common plant present in the
community, the researchers decided to use this as a main component of the
study. The study will be conducted to provide knowledge and a possible natural
and environment friendly way to counter the harmful effect of ultraviolet rays. The
researchers aim to develop an effective sunscreen derived from the natural
extract of Rose Mallow Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) petals.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Nowadays, millions of people are being identified with different types of skin
diseases. One of the leading type of skin diseases would be the skin cancer, with
over 9,500 people in America being diagnosed with it everyday (Siegel et.al,
2019). A major factor of this is the prolonged exposure of people to UV radiation.
UV Radiation is a carcinogen that is linked to the cause of cancer and
overexposure of it leads to other health problems (Radiation Protection Standard
for Occupational Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation, 2006). Also due to the
increasing damage to the Earth’s ozone layer, more UV Lights are entering the
atmosphere, which also means, the increasing of UV exposure.

One of the preventive measure against UV Radiation is the sunscreen.

Sunscreen is a protective measure that reduces your overall UV exposure and
lowers the risk of having skin cancer and other skin concerns (The Skin Cancer
Foundation, 2019). Even though it has good effects, it still has its own bad effects.
A study showed that sunscreen contains a UV filter called benzophene-3 or
oxybenzone that has a bleaching effects to the coral reefs that causes death to
it (Downs et.al, 2016). In which it leads the researchers to find an environmental-
friendly sunscreen.

Gumamela (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis Linn) is a plant that is widely distributed

in the world that is known to have medicinal properties. It also has a wide range
of properties such as Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic, and etc.(Khristi &
Patel, 2016). Recently, it has been discovered that Gumamela’s flower also
possesses the ability to absorb UV, thus having an anti-solar agent.

With these information, the researchers decided to conduct a research

incorporating the ethanolic extract of the gumamela’s petals into creating a
natural sunscreen. The product will be in the cream form and to be tested through
spectrometer to identify its effectiveness.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The study aims to determine the Anti UV properties of a sunscreen derived

from the ethanolic extract of Rose Mallow Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa sinensis)
petals. Specific questions that the researchers aim to answer are the following:
(Change)

1. How effective is Rose Mallow Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa sinensis)

petals ethanolic extract against Ultraviolet rays?
 2. In which wavelength does the Mallow Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa
sinensis) petals ethanolic extract exhibits best absorbance?
3. Is the sunscreen derived from Mallow Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa
sinensis) petals ethanolic extract effective, safe, and free of
impurities?

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Too much exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun are known to cause
skin cancer. According to research, application of hibiscus extract before
exposure to UV rays was able to restore levels of protective enzymes that
prevent cellular damage.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is considered to have numerous medical uses in

Chinese herbology. It is also a promising candidate to cosmetic care. An
extract from the flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis acts as an anti solar agent by
absorbing ultraviolet radiation. (Nevade et al., 2011)

Plants that are exposed to UV B radiation accumulate UV B absorbing

pigments, like flavonoids. This flavonoid is considered to be one of the defence
mechanism of plants from UV B radiation (Caldwell, 1981) From the investigation
conducted by Lokapure (In vitro Evaluation of Sun Protection factor and
Diffusion study of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. flower Extract Gel), presence of
flavonoid in the Hibiscus rosa sinensis-extract were found. They are well-known
for their attractive colours. These flavonoids showed strong to moderate
absorbance of UV radiation and thus playing an important role in defence
mechanisms in plant.

ASSUMPTION AND HYPOTHESIS

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on the assessment of the anti-ultraviolet rays’ properties

of Rose Mallow Gumamela (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis), a seasonal flower that can
be found locally. The scope of this study is for the researchers to acquire the
variables like the effectiveness of the said flower’s petal’s ethanolic extract as
an UV rays’ absorbent, at what specific range of wavelength does it shows
absorbance, and to evaluate the quality of the sunscreen derived from the
Hibiscus’ extract. The study will only focus on the anti UV properties of Rose
Mallow Gumamela (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis) and the quality of the sunscreen
derived from it.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED STUDY AND LITERATURE

This chapter presents a review of related studies and literatures both

foreign and local to support the study

LOCAL LITERATURES

The hibiscus or gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.), also known as China

rose and Shoeflower, belongs to the Malvaceae family which is a native of
China. Its natural beauty makes it one of the most widely cultivated flowers in
tropical and sub-tropical places. The five petal-type hibiscus has been noted for
its medicinal properties and the flowers were considered astringent. The roots
contain mucilage that is soothing on the mucous membranes of the digestive
and respiratory tracts (Sharma and Sultana 2004).

The flowers contain substantial quantities of flavonoids and

proanthocyanidins, which are good antioxidant, antipyretic (fever-reducing),
analgesic (pain-relieving), and spasmolytic (spasm-inhibiting) activities (Rummel
2005. Hibiscus also contain acidic polysaccharides that stimulate specialized skin
cells, modulates immunity and presumably promote wound healing. Hibiscus
has already proven its wonderful use, in terms of medicine. This gumamela leave
extract can be use into some skin disease, like boils, sunburn, acne and other
skin disease (Naymelda et. al. 20017). Furthermore, it contains a high
concentration (15 to 30%) of simple organic acids such as citric and malic acids
(Rummel 2005).

The Hibiscus flowers has been used as a natural lotion since the old times.
This was supported by the fact that plants have their own natural sunscreen to
protect them from harmful Ultraviolet rays while taking a sufficient amount of
sunlight to make food. According to a plant biologist Gareth Jenkins, "Plants do
not usually show signs of UV damage in sunlight, so the mechanisms they've
evolved for UV protection, which include sunscreen production, evidently work
pretty well,” (Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2014)

They are now cultivated as an essential component of shampoos and tea

products. Popular hybrids of gumamela plants were released by the Institute of
Plant Breeding (IPB) and now are commercially grown (Magdalita et. Al. 2009)
FOREIGN LITERATURES
LOCAL STUDIES
FOREIGN STUDIES
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2006),
ultraviolet radiations have two types, UVA and UVB, which can cause adverse health
effects especially on skin. Both can contribute to skin cancer and can weaken the
immune systen. They are also linked to premature aging of the skin and can changes
skin color.

The Hibiscus flower has also been known as an alternative medicine

internationally. Studies supported that the Hibiscus flower, specifically (Hibiscus
rosa-sinensis L) is a powerful component of a natural sunscreen. Hibiscus rosa-
sinensis have anti oxidants and photo protective properties, which makes it an effective
UV protection (In vitro Evaluation of Sun Protection factor and Diffusion study of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. flower Extract Gel)

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

CHAPTER 3
METHODS AND PROCEDURES Reneevi, Loraine
RESEARCH DESIGN Nice
INSTRUMENTATION Sanly
PROCEDURE Mike, neil
DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS Hannah
https://dissertationwriting.com/2016/12/05/write-dissertation-methodology-help/

SOP
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https://www.jbino.com/docs/Issue02_04_2019.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/abd/v86n3/en_v86n3a13.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321017142_UVVIS_Spectrophotometry_-
_Fundamentals_and_Applications
https://www.cancerwa.asn.au/resources/2011-12-05-ccupational-exposure-to-
ultraviolet-radiation.pdf
https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/

https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/hibiscus/

http://rjptonline.org/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Research%20Journal%20of%20Pharm
acy%20and%20Technology;PID=2014-7-6-13
1. https://s Plant Sunscreens in the UV-B: Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Jet-Cooled Sinapoyl
Malate, Sinapic Acid, and Sinapate Ester Derivatives

Jacob C. Dean, Ryoji Kusaka, Patrick S. Walsh, Florent Allais, and Timothy S. Zwier

Journal of the American Chemical Society 2014 136 (42), 14780-14795

DOI: 10.1021/ja5059026

teemit.com/flowers/@naymelda/the-uses-of-gumamela-plants