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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Squash (Cucurbita maxima) is the edible fruit of the vine type of plant belonging to the

ground or cucumber family. This vine is similar to the pumpkin vines. It produces fruits of

different shapes and sizes. The fruit surfaces or contours are scalloped, smooth, rigid or

warty. The flesh is fine-grained, colored yellow orange and mild flavored. As stated by

Escarez, Magsino and De Castro (2009), Cucurbita maxima or squash is a chief source of

vitamin A. Squash fruits contain some nutritional compounds for human feeding such as

moderate quantity of mineral salts like Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium(Mg), Iron

(Fe) and Selenium (Se). Malunggay or Horse radish (Moringga oleifera) was once considered a

“poor man’s vegetable” but now it is known as a miracle tree or “nature’s medicine cabinet

“by scientist and health care workers from around the world because it is loaded with

vitamins and minerals that can be effective remedy against many kinds of ailments such as

arthritis, anaemia, ovarian cancer, heart complications, kidney problems, asthma and

digestive disorders. This plant thrives in tropical countries mainly in Southeast Asia Central

and South America 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) centimetres 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 as calcium as milk and three times

the potassium of bananas. 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. Malunggay

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nowadays are not just made as medicine purpose but also as food ingredients so that it may

add unique and healthier flavour to foods.

Polvoron from the polvoor dust, polvoron are popular holiday delicacies it is a heavy, soft and

crumbly shortbread made of flour, sugar, milk and nuts, especially almonds. But then have

you heard a squash malunggay polvoron? Instead of using nuts in preparing polvoron in this

study we will be using a unique and healthier flavour to the polvoron.

Statement of the Project Objectives

Generally, this study aspires primarily, to search for alternative ways of utilizing the common

backyard plant which is squash and malunggay leaves so that it won’t be placed into waste.

Secondarily, make a different, simple and nutritious food preparation for students aside from

the usual food they eat, lastly, to spread the information on how to augment a nutritional

need within in reach and friendly to the pocket.

Specifically, this study aims to satisfy the following objectives:

1. Develop a recipe of Squash Moringa Polvoron

2. Make a Squash Moringa Polvoron

3. Determine the capabilities and limitations of the Squash Moringa Polvoron

4. Evaluate the degree of acceptability of Squash Moringa Polvoron describe

in terms of:

4.1 Taste

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4.2 Texture

4.3 Appearance and

4.4 Aroma

Significance of the Study

The study shall help the College of Industrial Technology and President Ramon

Magsaysay State University campus to provide a new recipe of polvoron made by food

technology students.

It specifically benefits the following:

Consumer. This study shall provide them a new polvoron product that is healthy and delicious

for their enjoyment which is also good for business and health.

Students. The information from this study may give the students added knowledge and

technique in using cheap yet nutrient rich raw materials in the preparation of polvoron.

Future Researchers. This study shall also beneficial to future researchers for it will give them

idea that it is possible to combine squash and moringa (malungay) as ingredients in making

polvoron.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The focus of this study was to develop a polvoron recipe and determine the degree of

acceptability in terms of taste, texture, appearance and aroma of the Squash Moringa

Polvoron. The researcher will test the squash and malunggay if it is possible as the new

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ingredient for polvoron. The finish product (squash moringa polvoron) will be evaluate by the

experts from the CIT-Food Technology section.

The respondents of the study were limited only to the faculty experts and students from the

food technology department of PRMSU Iba Campus College of Industrial Technology that

were selected through random sampling. The researchers will take four (4) weeks to

complete the study with the evaluation of the experts of the taste, texture, appearance and

aroma of the finish product.

Chapter II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter presents related information basic to this project study in the field of food

technology.

Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Moringa,

which is the only genus in the family Moringaceae. Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) is a popular

plant known for high nutritional value as well as an herbal medicine. Malunggay is a plant that

grows in the tropical climates such as the Philippines, India and Africa. The Malunggay plant

can grow to as high as 9 meters with erect white trunks. The compound leaf has about 3 to 9

leaflets. Malunggay has a white fragrant flower that produces long pods with 3-angled winged

seeds. Malunggay maybe propagated by planting its seeds about an inch in the ground or

matured malunggay stem cuttings of about 3 feet in length may also be planted into the ground.

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Planted malunggay cuttings grows faster compared to planted seeds. The Malunggay pods are

the most valued and widely used part of the plant. A Malunggay pod contains essentials amino

acids, vitamins and other nutrients.

Malunggay pods maybe eaten raw or maybe fried and may produce a clean,odourless and

sweet oil mostly called-Ben Oil. Malunggay leaves maybe eaten as greens, in salads and as

vegetable ingredients for soups andother tropical viands. Malunggay flowers are cooked and

eaten eithermixed with other foods or fried in batter. Etymologically Malunggay isknown as

drumstick tree in English, Malunggay in Philippines, a Mu inChinese, Shevaga in Marathi and

Sajama in India. It’s scientific nameis Moringa Oleifera. (www.medicalhealthguide.com)

Squash (Cucurbita spp.), also known as calabazaor pumpkin, from the Cucurbitaceae family, is

a genus of gourd plants grown for their fruit. It is related to the family of melons and

cucumbers (O’Brien, 2009). It is a cool-to-moderate-weather root vegetable with long, lacy

leaves reaching about 0.3m (1ft) in height (Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge, 2002). It is a

very good source of vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. It has very low calories

(Nutritional Value of Squash | Healthy Living Tips, 2009). It is also rich in fiber,

which lowers rates heart diseases, and protects from colon cancer by working to get rid

the body of harmful substances (O’Brien, 2009).

Squash fruit provides cheap but nutritious vegetable dish to the family meal. Squash is the rich

source of B-carotene Vitamin A which is necessary for good eyesight, clear and healthy skin

and hair and for resistance against infections. Squash is also a good source if iron. These

minerals can be obtained out of eating vegetables such as squash with delicious taste. Squashes

are the fruit of vines of genus Cucurbita, classified as summer squash or winter squash

depending on when they are harvested. Summer squashes (such as zucchini) are harvested

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small. They are consumed almost immediately and require little or non-cooking. Winter

squashes (such as Hubbard, acorn or Cucurbita pepo) are harvested at the end of summer

generally cured to further harden the skin and stored in a cool place for eating latter. Squash

fruit provide cheaper but nutritious vegetable dish to the family meal. Squash is also a good

source of iron for these minerals are needed for normal blood circulation.

Polvoron

A polvoron (from polvo, the Spanish word for powder, ordust; Cebuano: polboron; Tagalog:

pulburon) is a type of heavy, softand very crumbly Spanish shortbread made of flour, sugar,

milk, andnuts, especially almonds. They are produced mostly in Andalusia, wherethere are

about 70 factories in that are part of a syndicate thatproduces polvorones and

mantecados.Under the name mantecados, thesesweets are a traditional preparation of other

areas of the IberianPeninsula as well. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org./wiki/polvoron)

The information above would helped the researchers in their process making, the researchers

know now that they should also consider the sensory evaluation test because this helps the

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researchers to determine the suitability, and acceptability of their product. To determine if the

squash polvoron is acceptable or not and the improvements they would do for the betterment of

their product.

“Global education to local communities.”