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Kojic Acid Cream as White Shoe Wear and White Shirt Cleaning Agent

A Research Proposal Presented to

the Junior High School Department
San Roque National High School
Bamban, Tarlac

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
Consumer Chemistry and Research I

By:

Cruz, Marion Angelo B.

Codizal, Ezekiel R.

Ibe, Jhastlyn Nicole M.

Lusung, Karla Andrea V.

Macale, Romah Eulyssa E.

Ma. Cristy C. Manarpiis

Research Adviser

April 2023
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ABSTRACT
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE…………………………………………………………. i
ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………….. ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT …………………………………………… iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………….. iv

INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………. 1

METHODOLOGY …………………………………………………… 5
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INTRODUCTION

Shoes are usually stained or become dirty since they are intended to protect and

cover our feet and injuries such as bruises and scars. Shirts on the other hand, these

are classic type of clothing that displays fashion in every fit and also protects us in

ways just like in a cold environment according to Singh, Amrita. (2022). Therefore,

the researchers will come up with a product that can clean and whiten white leather

shoes and 90% cotton 10% polyester fabric shirts.

Kojic acid is an organic compound with the formula HOCH2C5H2O2OH. Kojic

acid is a natural substance derived from several species of fungi, such as Aspergillus

Oryzae (common for its Japanese name Koji). It is commonly used in fermentation of

foods like soy sauce and sake. According to National Center for Biotechnology

Information. (2023). Kojic acid is a type of chemical compound that is soluble to water.

Furthermore, kojic has a property of being a cleaning and bleaching agent for cosmetic

purposes and other products according to Smith, Logan. (2021).

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of a kojic acid cream on

white shoes and shite shirts with stains such as dust, dirt, condiments stain (soy sauce

and ketchup), and oil grease.

The properties of kojic acid, synthetic leathered white shoes, 90% cotton and

10% polyester fabric shirt, stain problems, and other materials. When stains in shoes

or shirts is untreated, this may lead to forms of unpleasant odor and microbial growth

according to Nike. (2022).

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Kojic acid soap is a type of chemical compound that is soluble to water. It is

created by many types of fungus, and it is also affordable and a natural preservative

that can increase the lifetime of the product to food and other sort of items.

Furthermore, Kojic has a property of being a cleaning and bleaching agent for

cosmetic purposes and other products according to Smith, Logan. (2021). Dust, dirt,

condiments stain (soy sauce and ketchup), and oil grease are some of the most

common types of stains found in white shoes and white shirts according to Panighari,

Hrushikesh. (2022). In the Philippines, the State of Congress launched the Republic

Act No. 9290 - Footwear, Leather Goods and Tannery Industries Development Act.”.

The law is recognizing the development of footwear and fashion among shoes and

has a mission of keeping the cleanliness of our clothing.

This study will be conducted to address the range of compatibility of kojic acid

cream. This will benefit by the following, industries, consumers and future researchers.

First, Induestires, it can provide valuable insights and will serve as a benefit for the

market of cleaning agents and further expansion of the properties of kojic acid not just

only for skin whitening. Second, Consumers, it can satisfy the ongoing problem with

stains on white shoes and white shirt. Lastly, this study can be significant for the future

researchers, this will serve as a basis for them that kojic acid can be used for cleaning

dirty white shoes and white shirt and can be a basis for them if they would like to repeat

and further expand this study to either prove or refute it.

This paper focuses on investigating the effect of kojic acid cream as cleaning

agent for synthetic leathered white shoes and white shirts. The study aims to
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determine whether the kojic acid cream have a significant impact on stains such as

dust, dirt, condiments stain (soy sauce, ketchup), and oil grease.

This study is limited to investigating the effect of kojic acid cream on synthetic

leathered white shoes and white shirts. The study is also limited to the color white and

will no longer cover other factors such as microbial testing. Furthermore, the study

will only test shoes made with white synthetic leather and white shirt made with 90%

cotton and 10% polyester fabric. The study is limited to testing only white shoes and

white shirt and will no longer deal with other products such as cleaning all types of

bags or being a multi-puporse product.

This study aims to investigate the effect of kojic acid cream as a cleaning agent

for shoes made with synthetic white leather and 90% cotton and 10% polyester fabric

shirts. For the purposes of this study here are terms to be used:

Fungi. Cellular organisms that look like plants but do not have chlorophyll

such as Aspergillus Oryzae.

Aspergillus Oryzae. A type of fungus that is found in kojic acids.

Oil Grease. Grease from vehicles that is removed and no longer being used.

Synthetic Leather. Factory-made leather that does not use real animal skin.

Cleaning Agent. Type of product that can remove common stains by just

applying it to the surface of the stain.

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Statistical test used to analyze the difference

between the means of more than two groups.

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Cotton. Type of cloth that is natural, breathable, absorbent, and sustainable.

Polyester. A synthetic or man-made fiber material that is usually derived from

petroleum.

Kojic Acid Cream. The product to be made used to clean dirty white shirts and

white shoes.

Stains. Penetrative mark that is not easy to remove.

a. Dust. A common type of stain that is easy to remove among all

stains and will be used in this study.

b. Dirt. A common type of stain that is easy to remove among all

stains and will be used in this study.

c. Condiments Stain. A common type of stain that is harder to

remove amongall stains and will be used in this study.

d. Oil Grease. A common type of stain that is commonly found in

vehicles and one of the hardest to remove among all stains and will

be used in this study.

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METHODOLOGY

This part of the research will show how the researchers will collect the data. This

chapter comprises the ingredientshow to make the product, steps on how to use the

product, how the data will be gathered, and the lab apparatus or materials that will help

the researchers to find answers to the research problem.

This study aims to investigate the effect kojic acid cream on synthetic leathered

white shoes and white shirt using a quantitative experimental research design by

using a comparative study by comparing the effectiveness with a popular cleaning

agent for shoes and white shirt (World Balance Clean and Deodorize Cream).

The experimentation of this study will be conducted in the chemistry laboratory

of San Roque National High School (SRNHS) Brgy. Dela Cruz, Bamban, Tarlac. The

results can have a significant relation reflect the real-world conditions on the

problems of white shoes and white shirts being prone to visible stains. The

researchers will wear protective equipment while conducting the experimentation

process such as gloves and safety goggles.

Kojic acid powder is measured as 50g per sachet. Then, it will be poured out of

the packaging for preparation for producing the product. The white shoes will be

obtained and tested by having a pair of worn out white synthetic leathered shoes.

Another, the white shirt made with 90% cotton and 10% polyester fabric will be also

will be stained by common stains such as dust, dirt, condiments stains, and oil grease.
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In addition, the cylindrical packaging that will be used is obtained from recycled

containers and the microfiber cloth that will be used is bought from a local market.

Lastly, the lab apparatus that will be used are all borrowed and gathered in the school

laboratory such as Thermometer, Weighing Scale, Stirring Rod, etc.

In preparing the ingredients, the kojic acid powder measured by 50g will be mixed

with purified water with a proportion of 50g: 25g (Kojic acid powder: purified water

ratio) in a 200mL beaker with a total of 75g. Then, it will be dissolved using an alcohol

lamp with a temperature of 154°C with a thermometer. After melting, combine the

dissolved kojic acid into a white cream base solution weighing about 100g with the use

of a stirring rod until completely mixed, and will be a total of 175g after. After

combining, filter out the mixture in a fine mesh strainer to remove any other clumps

formulation, and below that is a funnel that is poured out through a separate 200mL

beaker. Lastly, pour out the mixture into the cylindrical packaging snd and let it sit for

one(1) hour before using it to remove any other excess air bubbles with the use of a

stopwatch/timer.

In this study, the product will be tested with a microfiber cloth by applying 3g of

the kojic acid cream to the stains in the white shoe or the white shirt. The researchers

will conduct thee (3) trials each stain to test the effectiveness of kojic acid cream with a

variety of stains ranging from levels 1 - 2 - 3 (Weak - Moderate - Strong) stains. Level

1/Weak - 3g of Dust and Dirt, Level 2/Moderate - 3g of Condiments Stain (soy sauce,

ketchup), and Level 3/Strong - 3g of Oil Grease. The dust and dirt stain will be

obtained by walking for 10 minutes outside using a stopwatch/timer at San Roque

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National High School (SRNHS). On the other hand, the condiments stain will be

obtained by buying it at a local sari-sari store by sachet: Soy Sauce (Datu Puti) and

Ketchup (UFC Banana Ketchup) and will be put on the shoes and shirt with a

measurement of 5g each. Lastly, the oil grease will be be put to the shoe and shirt with

a measurement of 3g. When using the kojic cream, it only takes three (3) steps, in

shoes; the first step is to put 3g of the kojic cream where the stain is located. Second,

get the microfiber cloth. Last is to wipe repeatedly 15-20 times where the stain is

located it fully comes off then wipe with a little bit of pressure with the other side of the

microfiber cloth to remove any other excess stain. For shirts on the other hand, the first

step is to dab 1 tbsp on the stain and put 3g of the cleaning agent where the stain is

located. The second is to get the microfiber cloth. Lastly, wipe it repeatedly 30-35

times using the microfiber cloth until any other excess stains are fully removed.

Finally, the study is limited to using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to

determine the statistical significance of the results, and other statistical methods or

experimental designs may yield different results.

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Bennett, J. (2022, August 29). How to Clean White Shoes (No Matter the Material).

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Cimmino. (2021). Microfiber fabric: uses and characteristics. Retrieved from

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FootFitter. (2022). How to Clean Shoes Using Common Household Items. The Cobbler's

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Nike. (2022, April 16). 6 Ways to Disinfect Your Sneakers. Retrieved from

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Panigrahi, H. (2022, August 16). How to Get Stains Out of Leather Shoes: 10 Types and

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