Malunggay and Spinach Powder

“MALUNGGAY (Moringa oelifera) AND SPINACH (Spinacia oleracea)
POWDER AS FOOD SUPPLEMENTS”

RATIONALE
He gives us that vast goodness of nature and vegetation is among those. As man propagates for abundance; he deserves to harbour tremendous benefits from it.
Man inhabited earth with all its richness laid before him. With his gladness, ingenuity and constant search for knowledge he discovered numerous ways to enrich his mind of endless ideas, body for health and longevity and spirit to fulfil his close relation with his maker and humanity. Thus, man discovers infinite ways and makes use of accessible resources to satisfy his longings for health and wellness.

The discovery of herbal plants made the possible existence of modern medicine. Modern medicine makes use of these plants in making capsulated herbal medicine or food supplements. It is scientifically proven that numerous of vitamins and minerals are found in herbal plants that can supply the needs of living things, specifically humans. These vitamins and minerals help supply energy within a person’s body, which is needed for everyday activities in order for them to perform well. Herbal plants nowadays are not just made as medicinal purposes but also as food ingredients so that it may add a unique and healthier flavour to foods.

Malunggay or Horse radish (Moringa oelifera) was once considered a "poor man's vegetable" but now it is known as a "miracle tree" or "nature's medicine cabinet" by scientists and health care workers from around the world because itis loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be an effective remedy against many kinds of ailments such as arthritis, anemia, ovarian cancer, heartcomplications, kidney problems, asthma and digestive disorders.

This plant thrives in tropical countries, mainly in Southeast Asia, Central and SouthAmerica and Africa. It is indeed widely cultivated. It grows up to ten (10) meters tall and its leaflets are ovate to elliptic and are two (2) centimeters long. Each ounce of Malunggay contains seven times the Vitamin C found in oranges, four times the Vitamin A of carrots, three times the iron of spinach, four times as much calcium as milk and three times the potassium of bananas. It is said that these plants require little maintenance, which makes it easy for cash-strapped people to gain health without thinking of budget concerns.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an edible flowering plant in the family ofAmaranthaceae which originated from Central and South western Asia and is now widely cultivated throughout the world. It grows to a height of up to thirty (30) centimeters and its leaves are simple, alternate, ovate to triangular-based and varies in size from two (2) to three (3) centimeters long and one to fifteen(15) centimeters broad. Besides of it being considered as an herb rich in Iron, it isalso a rich source of Carbohydrates, Dietary fiber, Fat, Protein, Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Calcium. It is well-known in stabilizing the blood sugar among diabetics, it serves as an anti-oxidant, an anti-cancer agent, it prevents from atherosclerosis or thickening and hardening of arteries and it aids in the formation of the blood substance required for blood clotting. The combination of both herbs can surely make a nutritious supplement for all ages. This study presents the result of the beneficial mix of Malunggay and Spinach known as Malunggay and Spinach powder. A power duo, a product of nature, harnesses within reach and concocted with simplicity.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The study aspired primarily, to search for alternative ways of utilizing the common backyard plants Malunggay and Spinach so that it won’t be placed into waste. Secondarily, make a different and simple preparation of it right in one’s home aside from the usual capsule and tablet forms, which currently dominate in the market. Lastly, to disseminate the information on how to augment a nutritional need within in reach and friendly to the pocket.

The study addressed the following specific questions: 1. What are the procedures in preparing the Malunggay and Spinach powder? 2. Is there a specific expiration for this product? 3. Are there different processes of drying each kind of leaves? 4. How long can the end product be stored? 5. Is it advisable to dry the Malunggay and Spinach leaves under direct sunlight? 6. What are the uses of the Malunggay and Spinach powder as an additive? 7. What specific amounts of Malunggay and Spinach to be prepared to meet our nutritional needs? 8. What are the nutritional values from the combination of Malunggay and Spinach? 9. Can this research work possibly be pursued in the future?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Health awareness is the prime investment, ingenuity is the investors joining effort and wellness is the net gain. Most people think that adapting a healthy and well-conditioned life is expensive and difficult to achieve. The significance is just how one resourcefully utilizes the cheap, the natural abundance of nature, and the untiring quest to alternatives and remedies.

Malunggay and Spinach are kind of vegetables that are rich with vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are needed for optimum health. The purposeful cahoots will serve as a supplement Malunggay, touted as “All- around miracle tree” or “Natures medicine cabinet” contains a wide variety of nutrients in high amounts and Spinach, known as “Powerhouse of Nutrients” fill in essential Potassium, Phosphorus and Niacin that Malunggay does not have. This potent combination in powder form add nutrition to our deficient diet due to modern farming methods, nutrient-deficient soils, high levels ofpollution that places more stress, and busy lifestyles that make it hard to prepare healthy balanced diet. It acts as an inexpensive insurance against nutritional deficiencies.

This study will promote awareness on the relevance of serving of vegetable meals, soup, bread, dessert, shakes, juices and mixes with Malunggay and Spinach powder. It encourages households to plant Malunggay and Spinach in backyards for personalconsumption. Furthermore, it supports the Department of Agriculture on their program of propagating vegetable garden e.g. Malunggay and Spinach as a revenue-generating industry under its biotechnology program where it currently enjoys wide array ofMalunggay, Spinach and other vegetable based products manufactured in the Philippines and being sold in local and international markets. Finally, it inspires people to study and search for benefits on vegetables and other agricultural produce.

HYPOTHESIS The study promote awareness on the relevance of serving of vegetable meals, soup, bread, dessert, shakes, juices and mixes with Malunggay and Spinach powder. It encourages households to plant Malunggay and Spinach in backyards for personal consumption.

The Malunggay and Spinach leaves dry up well when stored in a well-ventilated room without the direct exposure of sunlight and are easier to pound in order to be made as an all-natural food powder. Due time, the leaves of both plant stalks fell down. And by the use of mortar and pestle in pulverizing the leaves make it into a healthy food powder. And lastly, the end product was sealed in a clean container ready for consumption or even for commercial productivity.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The study focused on the specifications of how to procure the major quality ingredients, the Malunggay and Spinach leaves and conscientiously observed the proper storage and maintenance of suitable room temperature. It took two (2) months and a half to get the finalresult of the research work using the method of experimentation. As Malunggay wasreadily cultivated in the backyard on the contrary, Spinach was a hard find. It started froma given tiny seedling from mountainous Busay and was replanted. The Spinach was tediously tended since it was never been spared from the affectation of long drought has brought by, “El Niño” phenomenon and propagated until such time ready for harvest. The study had undergone three (3) repeated experimentations to come up with reliable and factual results. Firstly, the outcome of the Malunggay and Spinach leaves harvested at noontime when the sun is intense. Secondly, the two (2) primary ingredients were hanged outside with moderate exposure to sunlight. And lastly, the recommended procedure was followed closely to yield the desired result.

Moreover, the study has its pitfalls as the targeted yield of the Malunggay and Spinach Powder was 200 grams but the finished product yielded only 60 grams with an approximate proportion: 30 grams of Malunggay and 30 grams of Spinach leaves respectively due to limited produce of Spinach leaves.

METHODOLOGY
In acquiring the study of Malunggay and Spinach powder, constant research was done. Facts were gained from books and computer resources. The abundance of the said vegetables which most of the time left out wilted aroused a curious mind thus the research drew its concept. The accessibility and availability of both vegetables inspired the research where an actual and continuous propagation was made to ensure freshness of harvest during the several process of experimentation. A series of trial and error process was made wherein an exact time of harvest must be observed and storage in a well-ventilated room must be followed. Three rooms in the house were carefully chosen in which a room at the basement was ample to suit the experiment need. Both vegetables complement each other in terms voluminous vitamins and minerals that supplement the everyday nutrient needs of people in order to fulfil their daily activities.

The preparation of Malunggay and Spinach powder is as follows: Harvest Malunggay and Spinach leaves early morning just when the dew has dried up. Bundle Malunggay and Spinach leaves and hang upside down in a well-ventilated room .Don’t expose to sunlight. Use brown paper bag to catch falling leaves. Use clothes pin to secure the brown paper bag to where you hang both leaves. Allow leaves to fall in the paper bag. Grind, pound or blend when the leaves dried up. Seal in a container.

Varied usage of this powder as: Tea, combine in vegetable meal, soup, bread, cookies, cakes, desserts, shakes, juices, sandwiches and ice cream.