SAPODILLA FRUIT (MANILKARA ZAPOTA) AS SKIN MOISTURIZER

Abstract

Sapodilla is also rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient involved in neurotransmitter production, collagen formation, immune function, and other vital bodily processes. As a strong antioxidant, vitamin C helps protect cells from oxidative stress that can lead to various diseases. Motivated by these benefits, the researchers explored additional uses of the Sapodilla fruit beyond consumption. They decided to develop a skin moisturizer made from Sapodilla, aiming to examine its effectiveness in skincare. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of Sapodilla as a natural ingredient in moisturizing products. This study adopted a quantitative-experimental research design using purposive sampling to select participants. The researchers employed the Student’s T-test to determine if there was a significant difference in the evaluation of Sapodilla fruit (Manilkara zapota) as a skin moisturizer based on key criteria: ingredients, skin compatibility, ease of application, scent, color, and texture. Data were gathered through a survey questionnaire administered to two expert groups—five chemists and five dermatologists—to assess the product’s acceptability across the specified variables. The results of the study revealed that the Sapodilla fruit (Manilkara zapota) skin moisturizer was rated as "Highly Acceptable" by the chemists and "Acceptable" by the dermatologists in terms of ingredients, ease of application, skin suitability, scent and fragrance, color, and texture. The findings indicate that there is no significant difference between the assessments of the two groups. The chemists had a mean rating of 3.25, while the dermatologists had a mean rating of 3.97. The computed variance was 0.123 for chemists and 0.002 for dermatologists. The t-computed value was 0.388, which is less than the t-critical value of 2.306 at a 0.05 alpha level with 8 degrees of freedom. Therefore, the null hypothesis (Ho) is accepted, confirming that there is no statistically significant difference between the chemists’ and dermatologists’ evaluations of the moisturizer. Future researchers are encouraged to further enhance the product by refining its formulation and ensuring consistent quality. Recommendations from licensed chemists and dermatologists emphasize the importance of following precise ingredient measurements and sourcing high-quality raw materials. This study has demonstrated that sapodilla fruit (Manilkara zapota) is a viable ingredient for developing a skin moisturizer, as supported by evidence from the Review of Related Literature (RRL) and Review of Related Studies (RRS).