INTRODUCTION

Today, there exists several forms of commercial coffee like the NESCAFE; Great Taste;
Cafe de Oro; Barako from Batangas province and many more.
Those coffee variants were seemingly familiar to all, but in the indigenous community,
people are looking for a cheaper coffee which they themselves can manufacture at home.
Ipil-ipil (Leucaena glauca L.) grows abundantly in the Philippines and in other parts of
Asia. It is also known scientifically as Mimosa glauca L. and Acacia glauca W. It is called lead
tree in English and is locally known as Sta. Elena, agho, ipel, kabahero.
The researchers found out that in the different provinces like the Ilocos provinces, there
are so many Ipil-ipil trees bearing noticeable green raw and black seeds. They simply grow in
some areas like the mountainous area while some are planted and serve also as fence of some
private lots. The abundance of this tree caught the attention and curiousity of the researcher to
undertake a research on these seeds if they can be utilized as a substitute for commercial coffee.
.
Statement of the Problem
The study aims to determine the feasibility of ipil-ipil seeds as a substitute for
commercial coffee.
Specifically, this study will answer the following questions:
1. Is there a possibility of green raw ipil-ipil seeds as a coffee?
2. Is there a possibility of matured ipil-ipil seeds as a coffee?

Significance of the Study

This study find its worth through the envisioned benefits that will be drawn from its
findings and results.

The findings will help guide future researchers tol explore more about the possibility of
Ipil-ipil seeds as coffee.

It is stated earlier that Ipil-ipil seeds had been used as good coffee during the olden times
which helped our forefathers grow strong and healthy. If this study becomes successful,
then it will be a good news to all the people because they can make money out of this
tree.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study is only limited in knowing or finding out if there is any possibility to produce
coffee out of Ipil-ipil seeds.
The respondents in this study will be the teachers and parents of pupils at
__________________________.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
ANOVA. A statistical method for making simultaneous comparisons between two or
more means; a statistical method that yields values that can be tested to determine whether a
significant relation exists between variables.
Exude. To release something such as a liquid or an odor slowly from a gland, pore,
membrane, or cut, or ooze out slowly
Friedmans Test.

A non-parametric statistical test used to detect differences in

treatments across multiple test attempts.

Ipil-ipil. A small tree growing up 8 meters high. Leaves are compound, 15 to 25
centimeters long, with hairy rachis.
Roasting. A cooking method that uses dry heat, whether an open flame, oven, or other
heat source.
Soak. To immerse in liquid for a period of time.
T-test. Assesses whether the means of two groups are statistically different from each
other. This analysis is appropriate whenever you want to compare the means of two groups, and
especially appropriate as the analysis for testing only two-group randomized experimental
design.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Ipil-ipil

The ipil-ipil, otherwise known as the Leucaena leucocephala, is common in the

Philippines. It has been growing fast and well over the entire country. The ipil-ipil plant can be a
bush, shrub, hedge, or even a tree. It does not have a single identified size, as it can be trimmed,
or left to grow. It has adapted to the Philippines very well and can be found easily, as it is a type
of a tropical rainforest plant.
What is the impact of the plant called ipil-ipil? Is it an insignificant plant like a weed, or
is it useful for people? It has been known that there are abundant number of ipil-ipil plants in the
Philippines, but what can be utilized from them? Can it be used to control erosion? Could it be
used to make handcraft items?
Most of the time, ipil-ipil plants are used for agriculture and animal feed. The ipil-ipil
plants can be planted as hedgerows to prevent erosion in the soil and act as mulch or other things
as well. Meanwhile, it can also be used to feed animals raised on the farm, such as goats, sheep,
and other animals. People themselves can also use ipil-ipil as firewood or building materials. As

it can be seen, ipil-ipil seems to have many effective uses. However, are there any other new
efficient ways to use the ipil-ipil plant?
Perhaps researching more about the ipil-ipil plant will yield more knowledge.
Meanwhile, it would be best to use the plant for the uses we already know. That is why, like the
livelihood partnership in Thailand, it would seem effective to have the school plant ipil-ipil
seeds, and give the planted seeds to the local people to plant for themselves and use them.
The researcher tries to investigate the basic information about the ipil-ipil plant, the
related ecology of the plant, and the possible benefits for the people in the Philippines. If
possible, it is hoped that a system of planting ipil-ipil in school and giving them to the
community people can be accomplished.
By the end of this environmental challenge experiment, the goal would be to use the ipilipil plant to help and benefit the people of the country like the possibility to use the ipil-ipil plant
as a substitute for commercial coffee after conducting thorough research and experiments.

Common Names and Synonyms

The local common name of the plant for this environmental challenge is called ipil-ipil.
Its scientific name is Leucaena leucocephala. In other places in the country, it is also called
komkompitis in Ilocano, and loyloi in Bisaya.

Classification
Kingdom:

Plantae

Phylum:

Tracheophyta

Class:

Leguminosae

Order:

Fabales

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Leucaena

Species:

L. leucocephala

Morphology and Physical Description

Ipil-ipil is a small tree that grows up about 8 meters high. Leaves are compound, 15 to 25
centimeters long, with hairy rachis. Pinnae are 8 to 16, and 5 to 8 centimeters long. Leaflets are
20 to 30, linear oblong, and 7 to 12 millimeters long. Heads are solitary, at the axils of the leaves,
long-peduncled, globose, and 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter, with many flowers. Flowers are
whitish, in dense globue heads, 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter. Fruit is an oblong or linear pod,
strap-shaped, 12 to 18 centimeters long, 1.4 to 2 centimeters wide, papery, green turning to
brown and splitting open along two edges when mature, and several fruits developing from each
flower head. Each pod contains 15 to 25 elliptic, compressed, shining, brown seeds, each 5 to 8
millimeters long, 3 to 5 millimeters wide.
Distribution:
- In settled areas at low and medium altitudes throughout the Philippines.
- Locally gregarious and abundant.
- Introduced from tropical America.
- Now pantropic.
Constituents
Raw seeds yield fat, 8.68%; crude fiber, 22.59%; nitrogen-free material other than fiber,
9.78%; nitrogen, 6.42%; sucrose; water, 14.8%; ash, 4.2%.

 Seed contains the toxic amino acid mimosine.

Properties
Acrid, sweet, bitter, mildly toxic.
Parts utilized
Dried seeds.
Uses
Folkloric
- In the Philippines, ipil-ipil is not much utilized as a medicinal plant.
- Roasted seeds are used as emollient.
- Used for Intestinal parasitism: ascaris and trichinosis.
- Decoction of roots is used as emmenagogue.
- Decoction of bark and roots is a powerful emmenagogue. In the West Indies, used as
abortifacient.
- In China, seeds are eaten to get rid of round worms.
Other Uses
Leaves: Leaves are high in protein and can be used as feed supplement.
Wood: In the Philippines, popular use as firewood and reforestation work. Also, used for
carving.
Cover crop: Also used widely as a cover crop and exterminator of kogon.
Dye: Produces a brown dye.
Seeds: Used for decorating bags.
Forage: Highly nutritious forage tree.

Related Studies
Seed Gum / Tablet Binder: (1) R&D on seed gum for a pharmaceutical substitute for the
imported guar gum used as a binder in tablet formulation. In 1996, ipil-ipil was found to be an
excellent liquid excipient as a suspending and thickening agent. (2) The seed galactomannan of L
leucocephala, with properties similar to guar gum was evaluated as a pharmaceutical binder and
compared with standard pharmaceutical binders regarding properties of compressibility,
micromeritic and mechanical properties.
Inhibition of Growth of Hair by Mimosine: Loss of hair that has been reported in animals
following ingesting of seeds and foliage and in women after consumption of LG seeds. The toxic
principle is leucenol, an amino-acid (identical to the mimosine of Mimosa pudica) found
primarily in the seeds of ipil-ipil, and in lesser amounts in foliage and stems. (1)
Mimosine-Iron Complexes: Study by Andre Gerard van Veen studied the properties of the
seed's amino acid mimosine, a pyridoxine derivative, associated with hair follicle toxicity in the
anagen phase of growth. He noted that the outbreaks of alopecia occurred only when the plant
consumed was prepared in clay pots. In iron pots, no alopecia occurred, explained by the
formation of mimosine-iron complexes that reduced the absorption of mimosine.
Mimosine Enhancement of sensitivity of hepatoma and lung cancer cells to
chemotherapeutic drugs: Mimosine inhibited the proliferation of liver and lung cancer cells
and blocked cell cycle progression from G1 to S phases. There was reduction of formation of
colony of cancer cells. Mimosine may act via inhibition of cyclin D1 synthesis. Long-term
treatment of mimosine induced apoptosis in liver and lung cancer cells. Results conclude

mimosine is a potent anti-cancer agent and can enhance the cytocidal effect of chemotherapeutic
drugs. (3)
Anti-Cancer / Mimosine: Mimosine, a plant specific amino acid extracted from the seeds of
Lg, inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma and lung cancer cells by suppression of cyclin
D1, activating cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells.
Anti-Cancer / Mimosine / Additive Cytocidal Effect: Mimosine showed an additive cytocidal
effect in combination with chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin in vivo.
Anti-Cancer / Antiproliferative: Study extract polysaccharides from the seeds of L
leucocephala, sulfated to a sulfated glycosylated form. Results showed the sulfated glycosylated
form possessed significant anti-proliferative activity against different cell lines. It induced
HepG2 cell death by necrosis, but not apoptosis. Study concludes the chemical modification of
leucaena gum induced its cancer chemopreventive and anti-proliferative activities.
Bioactivity Study / Central Nervous System Depressant : Study of chloroform soluble and
ethyl acetate soluble alkaloidal extracts from the seeds of Leucaena leucocephala showed central
nervous system depressant activity evidenced by a decrease in respiratory rate and depth and a
decrease in motor activity.
. Disintegrant Action: L leucocephala seed gum was evaluated for disintegrant action in
lactose-based tablets containing ibuprofen, a relatively insoluble drug. Study showed the seed
gum swells rapidly when brought in contact with water, generating enough pressure to cause
disintegration action. (8)
Anthelmintic Effect: Study of seed extracts showed the most active fraction to contain polar
polyphenols, providing scientific justification for the use of the aqueous extract in traditional
practice and application in anthelmintic therapy in veterinary practice. (9)

 Polyprenols: Study isolated from the whole plant of L leucocephala: ficapreol-11 (polyprenol),
squalene and lupeol, isolated fro the first time from the species, plus 9 other known compounds.
Hypoglycemic: Study in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed the extract of LL seed
acts as a hypoglycemic agent by selective regeneration of beta-cells of STZ-damaged pancreas
while also protecting the beta-cells from the necrotic effect of STZ. (15)
Seed Polysaccharide / Drug Delivery : Seed polysaccharide can be used for controlled release
of both water-soluble and water-insoluble types of drugs. The extent of release can be varied by
controlling degree of cross-linking. (16)
Iron in Mimosine Toxicity : Growing rats consuming diets with 25% L. leucocephala suffered
mild alopecia, cataracts, reversible paralysis, severe growth retardation and mortality. Addition
of Ferrous sulphate (2%) protected the animals from toxic symptoms.
Antidiabetic: Study of active fractions of L. leucocephala seeds on alloxan-induced diabetic
rats showed antidiabetic activities, with bioactive compounds indicating glycoside compounds
with galactose monosaccharide clusters and other saccharides. (18)
Seed Oil / Antimicrobial: L. leucocephala seed oil extract showed concentration-dependent
activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The lotion formulation had
good pharmaceutical properties. (19)
Seed Composition and Activities: Study on two varieties of L. leucocephala whole seeds and
seed fraction revealed that the seed kernel portion is primarily the potential source of protein.
Seeds exhibited urease activity, amylase activity, saponins, and hemagglutinins; while trypsin
inhibitors, amylase inhibitors, and cyanogenetic glycosides were absent. (21)
Antioxidant / Cytotoxicity: A 20% aqueous methanol dried leaf extract was evaluated for
antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Fractionation isolated epicatechin-3-O-gallate (1) along with

two quercetin glycosides: quercetin-3-O-arabinofuranoside (2) and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside

(3) together with apigenin (4). On DPPH assay, the isolated compounds showed strong
antioxidant activity. Compound 1 showed slight toxicity against Vero cells. (22)
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Getting Food
The following are the favorable conditions for the plant to grow best:
Soil: Ipil-ipil is adapted to medium and coarse soil. It has low anaerobic tolerance, has
medium salinity tolerance, and has medium pH of 5.0 with the maximum pH of 8.0. Also, it has
medium requirement of fertilizers.
Sunlight: Ipil-ipil can take full sun exposure and is intolerant to shade.
Moisture: Ipil-ipil has medium drought tolerance and can take up to minimum
precipitation of 15 cm with the maximum being 80 cm.
Temperature: Ipil-ipil is a tropical plant and can take hot temperatures and climate. The
minimum temperature it can take is 17 degrees in Fahrenheit.
Reproduction
The ipil-ipil is self-fertile, meaning that it is promoting seed production even on isolated
individuals. Some are out crossing and pollinated by a wild range of generalist insects including
large and small bees. It also re-sprouts after cutting. Also, flowering and seeding continues
throughout the year as long as moisture permits. Trees usually live short for about 20-40 years.
The hard seed coat means that germination occurs over a prolonged period after seed dispersal
and that seed can remain viable for long periods in the soil.

Environmental Factors
Ipil-ipil requires warm temperatures (25-30 degrees Celsius) for optimum growth. At
higher latitudes, growth is reduced. Heavy frosts will kill all aerial growth, although the crowns
survive and re-grow vigorously in the following summer with multiple branches. Shading
reduces growth, although it has moderate tolerance of reduced light when compared with other
tree legumes. Ipil-ipil can be found performing well in a wide range of rainfall movements. It is
well adapted to clay soils and requires good levels of phosphorus and calcium.

Origin and Distribution

Ipil-ipil is believed to have originated from Mexico and Central America and introduced
to the Philippines by the Spanish. Ipil-ipil has long been grown for non-forage uses throughout
the tropics. It was developed as forage in Hawaii and studied since the thirties. Increased interest
and research in the pre-war period led to its development as a fodder in commercial farming in
the Australian tropics and in many part of tropical Asia. During the 1970s and 80s, the ipil-ipil
was known as the miracle tree because of its worldwide success as a long-lived and highly
nutritious forage, and its great variety of other uses.
Importance to People
The main uses of ipil-ipil are as a hedge, bush, tree, or coppice. However, it can also be
used to feed grazing or herding animals. The ipil-ipil leaves can be dried for use in concentrate
feeds. Ipil-ipil is also well known for its high nutritional value and for the similarity of its
chemical composition with that of the alfalfa. Basically, its use can be effective in agriculture as

mulch, hedgerows that prevent erosion, legumes for fertilization, and others. It can also be used
to feed animals and even be helpful to peoples daily lives as firewood or building materials.

Survivability and Endangered Status

Ipil-ipil is able to grow vigorously and numerously. It will grow in most condition and
survive well in a tropical area. It grows fast and is not endangered at the present time. It is
usually found in the tropical regions growing and used well. Compared to other plants,it is not
prone to pests and diseases.
Potential Solutions
Erosion Control
As for erosion control, ipil-ipil trees are great for preventing erosion. That is why most
ipil-ipil trees are grown in hedgerows and trimmed to prevent the soil from being eroded. Ipil-ipil
plants can survive in most conditions in the Philippines, resulting in the widespread distribution
of the plant.
Advantages: By planting many ipil-ipil trees, which are well adapted to this country, it
will lead to the plant absorbing excess water from rain, cover the soil from some heavy water,
and protect the soil from flowing away. Thus, it has all the basic components for preventing
erosion. In addition, the tree has a high survival rate, it is easy to obtain ipil-ipil seeds, and the
fact that it can absorb enough amount of water qualifies it to be a plant fit for erosion control.
Disadvantages:

However, there are also some possible problems that may occur.

Because of pests and diseases, by planting only the ipil-ipil trees, it may kill all the plants in that
area. If there is no biodiversity in an area, it will be easier for the plant to be attacked by specific
pests and diseases. That is why, to solve this problem, it is advisable to plant other plants that

will help prevent erosion along with the ipil-ipil trees to create more biodiversity. Besides, by
only planting one specific plant, specific nutrients in the soil cannot support all the same plants
in that area. By creating biodiversity, the nutrients in the soil will be used and added equally,
creating a harmonious balance.
Reforestation
Mentioned above, ipil-ipil trees are well adapted to tropical climate, such as the
Philippines. That is why they are a good choice of plants to plant for reforestation. So why not
plant them to reforest a barren area?
Advantages: In addition to the ipil-ipil plant being well adapted to the climates in the
Philippines, ipil-ipil trees have legumes in their roots, which help fertilize the soil. It seems that
ipil-ipil plants are a great choice to plant for reforestation since ipil-ipil trees are well adapted to
the Philippines climate, have legumes to fertilize the soil, and are easy to find and access.
Because the ipil-ipil trees in the Philippines are well adapted and abundant, it seems to indicate
that it will survive and be able to reforest an area. Through reforestation, not only will it help the
environment, but it can also help people by using them as tools mentioned above in the overview
or the first paragraph.
Disadvantages: Once again, mentioned above, only planting ipil-ipil plants is dangerous.
Because of the lack of biodiversity, the ipil-ipil plants face danger of pests, diseases, and lack of
nutrients. Besides, if there is only one biodiversity, it cannot really be considered as a
reforestation. The main reason for reforestation is to restore an area that once was a natural
habitat. By only planting ipil-ipil trees, it cannot be considered a tropical rainforest. To overcome
this conflict, it is best to plant the ipil-ipil plants first as a pioneer plant, and add other plants that
will help reforest a specific area.

Green Manure
Ipil-ipil plants are known to be good food for animals and plants as well. For animals,
ipil-ipil plants contain good nutrients that helps feed the animals. For plants, ipil-ipil helps plants
by providing mulch, returning some nutrients to the soil, preventing erosion, and acting as
hedgerows.
Advantages: One of the main advantages of using ipil-ipil plants is the low cost. Rather
than all the other expensive fertilizers for plants and food for animals, ipil-ipil can be easily
substituted for them. Sometimes, ipil-ipil animal feeds are even better than other products for the
animals. Ipil-ipil plants have rare and natural nutrients that are essential for animals. Also, ipilipil plants have legumes in their roots that help fertilize the soil, and act as hedgerows and
erosion control as an added bonus. In addition, toxin and chemicals that are mixed in the
fertilizers and animal feeds are harmful for the plants and animal, but ipil-ipil plants are naturally
non-hazardous. Overall, ipil-ipil plants are clean, safe, and environmentally friendly fertilizers
and animal feeds.
Disadvantages: Similar to the disadvantages above, by only feeding animals with ipilipil is not necessarily good for the animals. Too much ipil-ipil feed to the animals can have a
negative effect instead. Likewise, fertilizing the soil with only ipil-ipil legumes could cause
negative effect on plant growth, as ipil-ipil legumes does not necessarily create nutrients for
every specific plants. Overall, just using too much of one thing, is not always a good thing.