Dulcamara a refreshing and medicinal drink
Dulcamara una bebida refrescante y medicinal
Jorge Aníbal Loya Simbaña
Master's Degree, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica,
Chemical Engineer, Master's Degree in Quality and
Productivity Management, Assistant Professor,
jorgeloya@uti.edu.ec, jorgeloya35@gmail-com,
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0071-0793
Viviana Elizabeth Cajas Cajas
Master's Degree, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica,
Systems and Computer Engineering, Master's Degree in
Business Administration and Marketing, Assistant
Professor, vivianacajas@uti.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-
0002-7688-6966
Lizeth Alejandra Tello Martínez
Master's Degree, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica,
Business and Business Administration Engineer, Alumni of
Universidad Indoamérica, aleja.23lizeth@gmail.com,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7814-9484,
jorgeloya35@gmail-com
Abstract
The work proposed the production and sale of
healthy beverages based on natural products, using
dulcamara as raw material, a medicinal plant used
in the pharmaceutical sector that helps prevent low
defenses and weak immune system. The objective
is to have a drink based on dulcamara combined
with natural fruits such as strawberry, coconut,
pineapple and aloe vera, which contribute to a better
functioning of the organism. The preparation of the
beverage started by obtaining the extract of
dulcamara leaves and fruits, mixed in defined
proportions and checking pH values and Brix
degrees according to INEN standards for these
products. To determine market acceptance, an 11-
question survey was applied to the Rumiñahui
sector, with a sample of 384. The beverage has pH
4.25 and 19.5°Bx within the parameters established
in INEN 2337. The beverage was sensorially
evaluated with an acceptance of 91.15%, at a value
of US$1 per 450 cm3. The preparation under
standardized conditions and market study of the
product design establishing the price, quantity,
place, promotion, indicating that advertising
campaigns should be carried out to promote the
properties and consumption.
Keywords: Beverage, Dulcamara, Fruits,
Medicine, Treatment.
http://centrosuragraria.com/index.php/revista, Published by: Edwards Deming
Institute, Quito - Ecuador, July - September vol. 1. Num. 9 2021, This work is
licensed under a Creative Commons License, Attribution-NonCommercial-
ShareAlike 4.0 International. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-
sa/4.0/deed.es
Received February 19, 2020
Approved: January 11, 2021
14
Resumen
El trabajo propuso la elaboración y venta de bebidas saludables partiendo de productos naturales,
empleando como materia prima la dulcamara, planta medicinal empleada en el sector farmacéutico que
ayuda a la prevención de bajas defensas y sistema inmunológico débil. El objetivo es disponer de una
bebida a base de dulcamara combinada con frutas naturales de fresa, coco, piña y sábila, que contribuyan
al mejor funcionamiento del organismo. La elaboración de la bebida partió de la obtención del extracto
de las hojas de dulcamara y de las frutas, mezclado en proporciones definidas y comprobación de
valores de pH y grados Brix según normas INEN para estos productos. Para determinar la aceptación
del mercado se planteó una encuesta de 11 preguntas aplicado al sector de la Rumiñahui, con una
muestra de 384. La bebida tiene pH 4.25 y 19.5°Bx dentro de parámetros según lo establecido en la
norma INEN 2337. La bebida se valora sensorialmente teniéndose una aceptación de 91,15%, a un valor
de $1 dólar los 450 cm
3
. La elaboración bajo condiciones normalizadas y estudio de mercado del diseño
del producto estableciendo el precio, cantidad, plaza, promoción, indicando que se debe realizar
campañas publicitarias para promocionar las propiedades y el consumo.
Palabras clave: Bebida, Dulcamara, Frutas, Medicina, Tratamiento.
Introduction
The eating habits of human beings present frequent changes according to trends, as the
traditional diet has been replaced by products with low nutritional value or excess of chemicals.
Fernández Díaz (2015) indicates that "80% of our immune system is in the intestine and this
diet will make us keep it healthy and strong helping us to prevent diseases such as cancer and
autoimmune diseases, allergies or arthritis." Poor nutrition leads to the fact that many current
diseases are due to an unhealthy diet Borja (2009) This problem is accentuated by the
involvement of large food producing industries, which promote the consumption of products
with high amounts of sugar, salt, low levels of nutrients, vitamins and proteins that are
necessary for a balanced diet; which is unfavorable for health, leading to present a population
with a myriad of diseases. Given this situation, the initiative towards the consumption of natural
products focused on care and health benefits is essential Lapoujade (2016), in Andrade-
Yucailla et al. indicates that "Medicinal plants provide a wide variety of ecosystem services
such as medicines, fodder, fuel, food and traditional ecological products, in addition to allowing
the conservation of biodiversity" (2019, p. 34).
Until today, there is not a total idea of the characteristics and properties of the diversity of
medicinal plants, so many natural products are used to improve physiological functions
(Palumbo et al., 2019, p. 56). In this sense, it is proposed the use of Dulcamara (Kalanchoe
gastonis-bonnieri), a plant whose leaves have been used in the traditional system of medicine
for the treatment of ovarian cysts, urinary tract infections, uterine fibroids (Dasgupta et al.,
2013, p. 12), also used as a natural remedy, because it strengthens the immune system and
prevents the lowering of defenses, in order to avoid contracting diseases or viruses that affect
the health of the human being.
Loya et al.
July - September vol. 1. Num. 9 2021
Ecuador, a place with a variety of zones, climates and microclimates so it lends itself to the
cultivation of a wide variety of plants, Pinela et al. fruits and spices characteristic of each
region, beneficial elements for the production of the beverage from the use of dulcamara that
is produced throughout the year, ensuring the supply of raw material (2017, p. 98).
The market in the course of time has become demanding in aspects related to health as a
response to countless disorders that trigger a poor diet, in the constitution of the republic. Art.
32 of October 2008 (Ecuador), states that health is a right whose execution is linked to the
attribution of water, food, education, physical culture, work, social security, healthy
environments, among others that support good living.
The lack of knowledge of the essential nutrients in a basic diet by Ecuadorians and the benefits
of certain plants and fruits grown in our country, facilitates the development of diseases that
plague our population Pinela et al., (2017) knowing the negative effects that originates in
humans the consumption of beverages made with excess chemicals or low nutritional value, it
is possible to demonstrate the acceptance of dulcamara-based drinks with different flavors in
the market. Ecuador has a variety of medicinal plants, but due to the lack of knowledge of their
beneficial properties, they are not used as raw material in the production of beverages or other
products that favor the health of the consumer.
Consequently, the idea of creating natural beverages based on dulcamara with different
pleasant flavors arises, which in addition to helping to quench thirst provide health benefits.
For this reason, this project is proposed as a venture at the Universidad Tecnológica
Indoamérica Gros & Lara, (2009), Barros & Turpo, (2018) applying their model.
For Andrade-Yucailla et al. indicates that "The Ecuadorian Amazon Region (RAE) has a great
biological and cultural wealth with 10 nationalities living in the area (2019, p.45) being those
who possess great knowledge focused on natural remedies, whether plant and animal, this
represents a great potential for the world, knowing that the greatest source of remedies for the
health problems of the people possesses nature, approximately 71 % of new drugs have been
obtained directly or indirectly from natural products.
Ancestral medicine is used especially in Latin America, Asia and Africa to treat ailments such
as: injuries and diseases related to cell damage, particularly cancer, deep and gangrenous
wounds, infections, burns, tumors and abscesses, rheumatism, inflammations, hypertension,
renal colic, diarrhea, psychological illnesses: schizophrenia, panic attacks and fears, among
others. A study by Josep Pámies recommends its leaves for the treatment of cancer (Ruiz &
Maldonado, 2014, p. 98).
Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri is a medicinal plant, Palumbo et al., (2019) of rapid development
that can reach up to 45 cm in height. Dulcamara acts globally within the body and in fact its
action is great.
16
The drink for its content of vitamins and minerals strengthens the immune system contributing
to a better quality of life, since in Ecuador there are some flavored waters, artificial juices for
commercial sale, we can provide one with natural compounds. On the other hand, it is
convenient to generate initiatives in the country in order to venture into business management,
taking the organization to its maximum productive and competitive potential, giving priority
to a proactive, innovative, entrepreneurial and customer-centered attitude (Sandoval et al.,
2020, p. 45).
The study proposes to use the dulcamara in the elaboration of refreshing drinks combined with
100% natural fruits (strawberry, pineapple, coconut and aloe vera) with a high content of fiber,
vitamins, minerals, antioxidant substances; and to carry out market research to establish the
acceptance of the product. In this case to make known the benefits provided by the dulcamara,
in the human organism, and also to introduce our product to the market. The proposed drink is
elaborated under the specifications of the NTE INEN 2337 and the market acceptance is done
through tasting and the application of a survey and then go to industrial production.
The document is organized as follows: the materials and methods section deals with the
preparation of the beverage by establishing the raw material and process conditions in
accordance with INEN standards for beverages, as well as packaging, labeling and storage
conditions. The commercial feasibility is carried out with the market study that starts with the
sample calculation, design, elaboration and application of the survey. The results section
defines the characteristics of the approved product, acceptance and marketing conditions
obtained in the surveys. Finally, the conclusions and future works are shown.
Materials and methods
In this study, the leaves of the Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri plant cultivated in Ecuador were
classified and washed, cut into small pieces and crushed to obtain the liquid by means of an
extractor; the juice of each fruit was also extracted. Finally, the extracts are combined in the
established proportions, distilled water and sodium benzoate are added as a preservative and
mixed. To determine the quality of the product, we take as a reference the stipulated in the
INEN 2337 standard, regarding pH less than 4.5 (Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización,
2017), as well as measuring the Brix degrees at 20°C with the refractometer in which drops of
the solution are placed and we perform the reading. For packaging, we use resistant 450 cm3
plastic bottles, certified for food and that meet the specified requirements established in INEN
standards, leaving the calculated space to withstand changes in temperature and pressure. For
labeling, INEN standard 1334-3:2011 is used, corresponding to the Declaration of properties
related to nutrient content.
Finally, plastic bottles should be properly stored in a place where direct exposure to light, dust,
humidity and heat is avoided, the containers should not come into contact with the walls, nor
Loya et al.
July - September vol. 1. Num. 9 2021
should they be overloaded, the assigned spaces should be respected and the expiration dates of
the products should be controlled.
The methodology, Berselli, (2018) carried out in this proposal is summarized in Figure 1.
Figure 1Project Methodology
On the other hand, we consider the Blue Oceans strategy, which is identified by the
construction of markets in places that are not currently exploited, and which provide
opportunities for sustained and profitable growth in the long term.
Next, we move on to the product design phase, Table 1 shows the established phases and
activities.
Table 1Product Design Phases
Phase
Evaluation of the
problem
Design Specifications
Product Idea -
Blue Ocean
Strategy
Product design
Market
Research
Description of
Results
Tabulation and
interpretation
Survey
Presentation
18
Idea Generation
Conceptual Design
Detailed Design
Testing and
Manufacturing
The Market Study, which is a full-fledged research, begins with the determination of the
Demographic Dimension corresponding to the statistical study of the human collectivity in
which the population or universe is considered; that is, the set of elements that establish the
characteristics of the object of study. In this case of Ecuador with 17,267,986 inhabitants
according to the 2019 census, the Sierra region with 7,733,725 inhabitants, the province of
Pichincha with 3,172,200 inhabitants, the canton of Quito with 2,735,987 and the parish of La
Concepción with 32,269 inhabitants, values that correspond according to the National Institute
of Statistics and Census.
Since we know the size of the population and it is less than 500,000 elements, the finite sample
formula was used to calculate the sample used to apply the surveys, according to what was
established by (Benavides et al., 2016, p.65), which is set out below:
𝑛 =
𝑍
!
∗ 𝑝 ∗ 𝑞 ∗ 𝑁
𝑍
!
∗ 𝑝 ∗ 𝑞 + 𝑒
!
(𝑁 − 1)
(1)
Where:
n = sample size
Z = confidence level, for 95% certainty Z = 1.96
p = probability of occurrence, 50%.
q = probability of non-occurrence, 50% q = probability of non-occurrence, 50% q = probability
of non-occurrence, 50%
Loya et al.
July - September vol. 1. Num. 9 2021
N = population or universe
e = sampling error, 5%.
n=
"#$%&'
!
()
"
*$+*
'
(
"
*$+*
'
("!&,#*-'
"#$%&'
!
(
"
*$+*
'
(
"
*$+*
'
."*$*+'
!
(
"
!&,#*-/#
'
= 384
The calculated sample value determines that the number of surveys to be conducted is 384.
The survey is a technique used to obtain information systematically about a defined population,
from the answers given by a small part of the people in that population González & Suris,
(2011). The survey procedure was applied, which consists of gathering data through interviews.
Eleven questions were used as a study tool applied to the inhabitants of the La Rumiñahui
sector, for the execution and measurement of the level of acceptance of the product.
Result
The first approach is the preparation of a beverage using dulcamara with different flavors
thanks to the benefits that the dulcamara medicinal plant provides in people who consume it,
such as preventing diseases by powerfully balancing the body's defenses, preventing it from
being depressed or over-stimulated, creating autoimmune and degenerative diseases. The
preparation of the beverage with dulcamara extract was elaborated considering the Ecuadorian
Institute of Normalization for this type of products, having an average pH of 4.25 and an
average Brix of 19.5. As for the design of the product in the specification phase of the beverage,
it can be specified that the presentation will be in a 450 cm3 plastic bottle. The value of the
beverage was established by making a comparison between the prices that customers are
willing to pay and what is offered in the market for similar products. The packaging has the
logo of the company called "Dulcalife", with the nutritional table of the drink such as the
ingredients, semaphores, date of preparation and expiration of the product.
In order to establish in the target market the knowledge of the properties of dulcamara and the
acceptance of the product, a questionnaire was elaborated as an instrument that was applied to
384 people that were obtained in the sample. From the surveys conducted, it was determined
that 53.65% do know about the benefits provided by the dulcamara medicinal plant and 46.35%
have no knowledge. The responses can be seen in Table 2.
Table 2Knowledge of the benefits of dulcamara
Options
Frequency
%
a.- Yes
53,65
b.- No
46,35
Total
384
20
This question asks if people are aware of the health benefits of the dulcamara plant. According
to the results, it is established that the dulcamara-based beverage will be favorably received.
Regarding the frequency of purchase in units of dulcamara drinks of different flavors that they
would be willing to buy weekly, 38.80% of the population would buy from 3 to 5 units of
dulcamara drinks with different flavors per week and 27.09% would buy 5 units or more. It is
observed that the expected consumption is between 1 to 5 units per week. In terms of where
they prefer to buy, 48.44% of the people surveyed tend to buy in stores near their homes,
26.30% in supermarkets and 25.26% in micro markets. The respondents are detailed in Table
3.
Table 3Place of Purchase Preference
Options
Frequency
%
a.-Nearest store
186
48,44
b.- Micro markets
101
26,30
c.- Supermarkets
25,26
TOTAL
384
The majority prefer to buy their beverages in stores near their homes, either because of distance
or convenience, followed by supermarkets and finally micro markets; therefore, the product
will be marketed in the sector's stores. With respect to the question regarding price, 56.51% of
the respondents chose to pay from 1 to 2 dollars per unit, 36.46% would be willing to pay from
2 to 3 dollars and 7.03% would pay from 3 to 4 dollars per unit of dulcamara beverage of
different flavors.
The price established for the study will be US$1 per unit for sale to the public. On the other
hand, regarding the question of the size of the bottle, 38.54% of the people surveyed consider
that the size of the dulcamara-based drink should be 450 cm3 and the minority being 28.91%
think that it should be one liter. This is shown in Table No. 4.
Table 4Presentation of the dulcamara beverage
Options
Frequency
%
a.-375 cm3
32,55
b.- 450 cm3
148
38,54
c.- 1 liter
28,91
Total
384
Loya et al.
July - September vol. 1. Num. 9 2021
Due to consumer preferences for the dulcamara-based beverage with different flavors, the size
of the bottle will be 450 cm3 , considering that it corresponds to an adequate size for
transportation. As for the aspects or factors considered when making a purchase, it is shown
that 31.77% of the people choose a product for its price, 25.26% for its quality, 20.31% for the
brand and 7.82% are the minority who make purchases simply on impulse. Table 5 shows the
above.
Table 5Purchase Decision Factors
Options
Frequency
%
a.- Price
31,77
b.- Brand
20,31
c.- Quality
25,26
d.- Custom
14,84
e.- Impulse
7,82
Total
384
Most of the people surveyed when purchasing a product do so based on price, quality and brand
recognition.
Finally, the question that shows the acceptance of the product corresponds to whether the
respondent would be willing to buy dulcamara-based beverages with different flavors, which
shows that 91.15% are willing to consume dulcamara-based beverages with different flavors
and 8.85% would not. Figure 4 shows the above.
A large part of the population is willing to consume dulcamara-based beverages with different
flavors, thanks to the benefits it has on the body of the people who ingest it. There are
publications on the properties and benefits of plants with medicinal characteristics existing in
Ecuador, among these is the dulcamara and that in general there is a marked lack of knowledge
about them the population, which has slowed technological development in both the food industry
and in the industry of phytopharmaceuticals in the country. The beverage made from dulcamara
as a final product meets the specifications established in Ecuadorian standards for this type of
product.
Conclusions
The production and sale of beverages is planned, using dulcamara combined with different fruit
flavors as an option to strengthen the immune system with the objective of powerfully balancing
the defenses, since there are currently no beverages with this component in the market, since
dulcamara is used in the pharmaceutical sector. Dulcamara leaf and fruits are used in the production
process under controlled manufacturing and quality conditions established by INEN standards. For
the market analysis, we worked with the Rumiñahui sector in the north of Quito with a population
of 32,269 people, where we applied the formula for the finite sample, obtaining 384 people to
22
whom we then applied the surveys of an 11-question questionnaire. It is established that 53.65%
do not know the properties of the dulcamara plant. The sensory evaluation of the beverage qualifies
it as a product with an acceptance of 91.5% for its different flavors, which offers possibilities for
industrial-scale production and market introduction.
Regarding the question about the places of preference for the purchase of any type of beverage, it
is established that there would be greater acceptance if the products are sold in the stores of the
Rumiñahui sector, either by distance or convenience of consumers at the time of purchasing the
product. Due to the lack of knowledge of the benefits of dulcamara on the part of those surveyed,
it is necessary to carry out a thorough publicity campaign in this aspect. It is proposed to
complement the market study with the business plan, for the achievement of the financial analysis
through indicators that establish the economic viability of the project, such as the internal rate of
return (IRR), net present value (NPV), cost benefit and the investment recovery period (IRP). In
the future, it is recommended that the study be conducted in other geographic sectors in order to
ratify the acceptance and sustainability of this venture.
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