LEVEL OF ACCEPTABILITY OF MALUNGGAY CHIPS AMONG HOME ECONOMICS GRADE 12 STUDENTS AT BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as malunggay, is a climate-resilient and high-yielding plant known for its remarkable nutritional and medicinal properties. Its various parts—leaves, seeds, flowers, pods, and roots—are rich in essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, making the plant valuable in both food and pharmaceutical industries. However, excessive use of Moringa can lead to undesirable effects, such as a greenish coloration and a noticeable change in taste. This chapter delves into descriptive-quantitative methods for analyzing travel behavior, emphasizing model specification, estimation, evaluation, aggregation, and forecasting. It discusses recent innovations such as multinomial-probit models, choice-based sampling, and Clark method aggregation, based on the work of Daniel McFadden (2021). Furthermore, this study addresses the acceptability of malunggay chips and explores the nutritional properties and characteristics of malunggay. The survey, which included 78% of respondents aged 17–18, showed that most participants found the malunggay chips’ flavor, appearance, and texture to be acceptable. The group was evenly balanced between male and female respondents, with 30% coming from the HEHRS 1201 course. Taste was identified as the key factor affecting overall satisfaction, followed by the product’s perceived health benefits. When considering external factors, price affordability was rated as more important than packaging. Suggestions for improvement focused on enhancing the flavor by adding more spices, increasing salt levels, and incorporating a greater amount of malunggay. The findings suggest that malunggay chips are favorably received, particularly among young consumers, owing to their well-balanced flavor and nutritional value. The product’s attractive packaging and associated health benefits further enhance its appeal. This study recommends continued refinement of the product’s taste and marketing strategies to improve marketability and encourage broader consumer adoption. Moreover, increasing public awareness of Moringa oleifera’s health benefits could further elevate its acceptance and consumption.