Chapter 14 - Potentiality of Citrus Peels as an Eco - friendly All - purpose Cleaner by: Alaina Jhane F. Zubiri 12 - Del Mundo

Citrus fruits, abundant globally, are rich in beneficial secondary metabolites and belong to the Rutaceae family (Zayed, Badawy, & Farag, 2021). This study explores the potential of citrus peels as an eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner at Benigno Ninoy Aquino High School for the academic year 2024-2025. The primary objective is to assess the product's effectiveness in terms of cleaning efficiency, degreasing power, and surface compatibility. The study employs a qualitative, applied, and longitudinal research design, gathering data from 90 Grade 12 STEM students through survey questionnaires. Statistical tools such as summation, percentage, and Slovin's formula were utilized to analyze the data. Results indicate that the majority of respondents (41.2%) rated the product as highly effective for cleaning efficiency, while 28.8% found it highly effective for degreasing power. Moreover, 33.3% of respondents considered the product highly effective for surface compatibility. The chemical analysis revealed that citrus peels contain Limonene (94.5%), a natural solvent and degreaser, along with Hesperidin (4.1%) and Vitamin C (1.8%), which enhance antioxidant and cleaning properties. The study concludes that citrus peels have significant potential as an eco-friendly cleaner. It recommends further optimization of the extraction process and testing with a more diverse population. Additionally, future research should explore combining citrus peel components with other natural substances to enhance cleaning efficiency and assess long-term effects on various surfaces.