Level of Acceptability of Kantutay (Lantana camara) for Enhanced

Candle

Orencia, Jecks A.

Rabang, Cielo Amor F.

Tumbaga, Edd-Chris P.
 Level of Acceptability of Kantutay (Lantana camara) for Enhanced

Candle

Background of the Study

Candles are frequently used during religious ceremonies, celebrations

and festivities, for relaxation ad to create an intimate or romantic setting.

Candles are now a common decoration items in homes. Candles are primarily

used to create ambiance and relieve stress.

Nowadays, relaxation is considered as a process that relieves stress on

your mind and body. At present, there are many different forms of relaxation

and aromatic candles are one of them. Scented candles play an important

function in the health spas to relieve symptoms of bronchitis, high blood

pressure, tension, insomnia, and others. In addition, scented candles provide

holistic approaches for relieving people of emotional and mental stress, grief

and trauma.

Pham (2020) observed that a soft, warm glow is generated by a candle,

with an inherent characteristic flicker. This unique source of illumination is

used in a variety of applications to help create an intended mood or

atmosphere. In fact, the gentle dancing glow from a candle attracts a person’s

attention and may hold it for an extended period of time, having a relaxing or

soothing effect upon the person.

Practically all of the scented candles now on the market, and those

available in the past, have derived their scent from the addition of plain or

simple odor ingredients to the candle body. There is no denying that the odors
are pleasing when the candle itself is smelled since smelling ingredients have

been added to candles since antiquity.

Scented candles have been produced by adding various scent-

producing materials to candle wax in the formation of the candle body.

Additionally, in the past, candle users have been stymied in their quest for

individualized candle fragrances. Users have been limited in their fragrance

selection to the particular fragrances chosen by the candle manufacturers

(Llore and Lugo, 2015).

Bolstered by scientific evidence touting the role of fragrance and benefits

of aromatherapy in modulating human emotions, consumer demand for

scented candles is exploding. As more candle products have entered the

market, consumers have become more discriminating about the quality of the

candles and fragrances thereof. Hence, consumers have expressed a desire

for increased fragrance longevity, both before and after burning, and

increased fragrance intensity during burning of candles (www.scientific.net).

Welch (2016) stated that owing to the smaller size of candles, the heat

which is generated is not only the purpose of burning a candle. Nevertheless,

the heat can be used not only for illumination but also for the dispersion of

various materials and compounds into the air. The same air currents that tend

to cause a candle flame to dance will also ensure substantial dispersion of

scents and other compounds into the air. Consequently, candles may be used

for these applications as well. It is important that the candle not produce an

unpleasant or undesirable aroma during combustion and that the intended

aromas and scents not be masked or altered.

 Thus, the researchers wanted to make a new scent for candles from an

indigenous plant in the Philippines which is easily found everywhere and had

been also discovered as an ingredient in the production of perfumes.

Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants

popularly used as anti-rheumatic, stimulant, antibacterial, biologic, control, as

ornamental plant, treatment of skin, itches and as an antiseptic for wounds. It

is also used to treat cuts, ulcers, tetanus, swelling and high blood pressure.

Kantutay (Lantana camara) is a gregarious, upright or half-climbing,

more of a hairy strong-smelling shrub. When upright, it is usually one to two

meters high. Leaves are bright green, rough, finely hairy, with serrate

margins, egg-shaped, five to nine centimeters long, three inches long, sharp

at the tip and curved at the bottom and saw-like in the borders. The stem is

often non-thorny and branched are four-sided with recurved prickles. Flower

heads contain 20-40 flowers, usually 2.5 cm across. The color varies from

pink, orange, yellow, white, lilac, red and other shades, according to the

diversity and bear in stalked heads which are 2 to 3.5 centimeters in diameter.

Flowering occurs between August and March, or all-year round if adequate

moisture and light are available. Fruit is greenish blue-black color, 5-7 mm in

diameter, drupaceous, shining, sweet-tasting, fleshy ovoid and with two

nutlets. The plant is a gregarious weed in the Philippines, in settled areas in

woods and waste places at low and medium altitudes. Certain varieties are

urban as a trimmed hedge either alone or with other vegetation (Zhu, 2016)

The diverse and broad geographic distribution of Lantana camara is a

reflection of its wide ecological tolerance. It occurs in diverse habitats and on

a variety of soil types like degraded lands, along fence lines, in pastures, in
plantations, forest edges and gaps. It generally grows best in open unshaded

situations such as wastelands, rainforest edges, beachfronts and forests

recovering from fire or logging. Lantana camara does not invade intact forests

but encroaches where natural forests have been disturbed through logging

creating gaps. It cannot survive under dense, intact canopies of taller native

forest species and spreads rapidly through root suckers and profuse seeding

every year.

According to Yoursefi (2014), Lantana camara stands out because of its

rapid spread, intensity of infestation, allelopathy, opportunistic growth

behaviour, reproductive biology traits and tenacious resistance to cutting and

burning.

Ganjewala (2017) stated that Lantana camara has therapeutic value

because of the presence of natural agents. Greater part of their activity is due

to “bioactive compounds like terpenoids and phenolics.

Terpenoids or terpenes occur in almost every plant and represent the

biggest class of secondary metabolites. They contribute to the taste, smell

and colors of plants. The main active components of essential oils (which give

scented candles their fragrances) like terpenoids are highly volatile

compounds called monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids that contribute to

their distinctive scents. Phenolics are another large class of secondary

metabolites produced by plants. They are aromatic compounds that give the

plants their distinctive smells.

The essential oil obtained from flowers and leaves of Lantana camara

was analyzed and was characterized by the high percentage of

sesquiterpenes. Sesquiterpenes are compounds that are known for their

calming properties and can also be supportive to the immune system in

protecting us from harmful microbes, acting as antioxidants and assisting in

cellular repair.

This study is directed to scented candles and particularly to scented

candles capable of delivering intense and long-lasting fragrances.

Significance of the Study

This study entitled “Level of Acceptability of Kantutay (Lantana camara) for

Enhanced Candle” is beneficial to the following:

Community. They will have an all-natural and herbal scented candle

that will be added to the kinds of candles that they can choose from and use

for their relaxation.

Manufacturers. This study could help them produce a new kind of

scented candle and could be their basis in exploring other parts of the

Kantutay or other local plants in making candles.

Future Researchers. Those who wish to conduct a similar research

may use the findings to support and justify their proposal. This study may

serve as their initial basis for better experimental research.

Theoretical Framework

Before the introduction of electricity in the 20 th century, candles were

the most important light source. In the developed world today, candles are

used mainly for their aesthetic value and scent, particularly to set a soft and

warm ambiance. The theory about scented candles says that certain

fragrances elicit certain responses in the brain that alleviate stress, anxiety,

depression and others. It sought to mask the odor of harsh oil-burning candles
by mixing essential oils. Essential oils are added during the candle-making

process and when the candle is lit, these oils are dispersed through the air.

The theory of aromatherapy states that calming is rooted in the art of

aromatherapy and the use of distinct smells to combat stress dates back to

the ancient Egyptians. The theory is based on the belief that scents stimulate

the olfactory system and subsequently cause a response from the body.

According to the theory, these responses can cause a person to relax,

brighten or heal. The scents are inhaled via diffusers or candles and are

believed to cause an immediate reaction.

The theory of fragrance candles states that the aroma from a lighted

scented candle is released through the evaporation of the fragrance from the

candle itself and releases fragrance. On this theory, fragrances tend to be

directly related to how it affects your mood. Fragrances probably affect a

person the same way that music affects a person. It doesn’t change your

hormone levels directly. Instead, it influences your brain systems involved with

perception and memory.

Conceptual Framework

Input Process Output

Treatment 1
Commercial
Kantutay
candle
Melt the wax
Treatment 2 and add the
1 ml of extracts
Kantutay according to
flowers oil the
100 g of composition in
paraffin wax each treatment
then let Kantutay
Treatment 3 harden. Candle
5 ml of
Kantutay Test the level
flowers oil of acceptability
100 g of of the candles.
paraffin wax

Treatment 4
10 ml of
Kantutay
flowers oil
100 g of
paraffin wax

Feedback

Figure 1.
Research Paradigm
Statement of the Problem

This research aimed to determine which of the treatments best

displayed the properties of a scented candle made from Kantutay. To do this,

the researchers sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the level of scent intensity of the Kantutay candle as perceived

by the respondents?

2. What is the level of acceptability of Treatment 1 in terms of:

a. fragrance

b. scent; and

c. appearance?

3. What is the level of acceptability of Treatment 2 in terms of:

a. fragrance

b. scent; and

c. appearance?

4. What is the level of acceptability of Treatment 3 in terms of:

a. fragrance

b. scent; and

c. appearance?

5. What is the level of acceptability of Treatment 4 in terms of:

a. fragrance

b. scent; and

c. appearance?

6. Is there a significant difference between the treatments and the

commercial scented candle?

Hypothesis

1. The level of scent intensity of the Kantutay candle as perceived by the

respondents is very strong.

2. The level of acceptability of Treatment 1 in terms of fragrance, scent

and appearance is not acceptable.

3. The level of acceptability of Treatment 2 in terms of fragrance, scent

and appearance is very highly acceptable.

4. The level of acceptability of Treatment 3 in terms of fragrance, scent

and appearance is very highly acceptable.

5. The level of acceptability of Treatment 4 in terms of fragrance, scent

and appearance is very highly acceptable.

6. There is no significant difference between the treatments and the

commercial scented candle.

 Method

This section presents the participants, the research design, the tools, and

the procedures used in the completion of the study. In this study, the

fivevariables are the respondents, Treatment 1 Treatment 2, Treatment 3 and

Treatment 4.

Research Design 

In order to investigate the level of acceptability of Kantutay candles,

this study will adopt a quantitative approach. 

To identify the level of acceptability of Kantutay candles, the

experimental method will be used. This method was chosen because it allows

the researcher to manipulate certain variables while maintaining other

variables constant. According to Lodico (2017), the experimental method of

research is a method or procedure designed to determine the cause-effect

relationships. Purposely, it uses numbers to describe pre-existing groups or to

determine whether a relationship exists between variables. This method also

aimed to identify whether the finished products with different treatments are

acceptable according to their fragrance, appearance, burning time and scent

intensity. To find out the number of respondents’ responses, quantitative data

will also be validated. 

The output of the said study will be a Kantutay candle.

Participants 
 The participants of this research will be 30 residents from the Zone 1 of

Barangay San Vicente, City of San Fernando, La Union who will be asked to

try to use the Kantutay candle.

Data Gathering Tools and Procedures

The data gathering procedure will start with the experiment itself. First,

the researchers will prepare the Kantutay candles.

Second, the researchers will get in touch with the respondents and ask

them to try using the candles.

Third, the respondents will be given a candle from a treatment that only

the researchers know and will be asked to fill out the questionnaire-checklist.

Fourth, the questionnaires will be collected and analyzed. The

researchers will tally the data and the frequency count of the marks will be

identified based on the assessment of the respondents from the given

legends.

Fifth, to arrive to a more comprehensive and manageable data in

determining the level of acceptability of the Kantutay candle, the data will be

categorized according to each criteria.

 Last, the marks with the highest weighted mean score will be

considered in assessing the most acceptable treatment in the making of the

Kantutay candle.

Data Management 

This section elaborates the statistical tool used in order to compute the

data gathered and to come up with an accurate result. To test the level of

acceptability, weighted mean will be used. This will determine the rating of

each treatment as regards to their level of acceptability. Meanwhile, to test the

significant difference in the commercial product and the treatments, t-Test will

be used.

Dear Respondents,
We, the researchers from STEM 1 Grade 12 of La Union National High
School are currently enrolled in Practical Research 2. With this, we would like
to ask for your…
Name (optional): ________________________________________

I.Level of Scent Intensity of

Kantutay Candle
Legend: Treatment 2
5- Very Strong Smell 5 4 3 2 1
4- Strong Smell
3- Moderate
2- Slight Smell Treatment 3
1- No Scent at All 5 4 3 2 1

Treatment 1
5 4 3 2 1 Treatment 4
 5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1 Treatment 1
5 4 3 2 1
Fragrance
Fragrance
Scent
Scent
Appearance
Appearance

Treatment 2
5 4 3 2 1
II. Acceptability of Kantutay
Candles Fragrance
Legend:
Scent
5- Very Highly Acceptable
Appearance
4- Highly Acceptable
3- Moderately Acceptable
2- Slightly Acceptable
1- Not Acceptable
Treatment 3
Fragrance

Scent

Appearance
Treatment 4
5 4 3 2 1

Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate your time.

Best Regards,
__________________________ _________________________
CIELO AMOR F. RABANG EDD-CHRIS P. TUMBAGA
Researcher Researcher

_________________________
JECKS ORENCIA
Researcher
References:

Ghisalberti, E.L.(2015) Lantana camara (Verbenaceae). Fitoterapia. 3(2), 3-5.

Llorera, D.L. et al. (2015). Lantana camara Leaf Extract: A Prospective

Organic Mosquito Larvicide. CAM Research Journal. 2(1), 99.

Pham, D., Do, N., & Toan, T. (2020). Preparation and Characterization of
Naturally Scented Candles using the Lemongrass (Cymbopogon
citratus) Essential Oil. Materials Science Forum, 977. Retrieved
November 19, 2020 from www.scientific.net.

Pino, J.A. et al. (2018). Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Lantana

camara. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 16(3), 12-18.

Welch, R.G., Dihora, J.O., Alwart, T.S. (2016) Scented Candles. US Patent.
1(1), 2.

Yoursefi, Alireza. (2016). Therapy Candle for Illnesses. Journal of Medical

Research, 1-4.