International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS)

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    Wireless pager system for enhancing emergency communication in hospital environment
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Gunarathna, T. G. L.; Adhikari, A. M. N. D. S.; Bandara, K. D. Y.; Gunawardana, K. D. B. H.; Seneviratne, J. A.; Perera, M. H. M. T. S.
    Maintaining fast and efficient communication between hospital staff is critical to ensure patient safety during emergencies. However, challenges such as the lack of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) signals in countries like Sri Lanka and the risk of using cable communication during hazardous weather conditions further complicate emergency communication. This paper proposes a wireless pager system utilizing LoRa (Long Range) technology to facilitate seamless interaction between doctors, nurses, and other supportive and administrative staff in a hospital. LoRa operates on sub-gigahertz frequencies, providing robust signal penetration and extended range, making it ideal for hospital environments where walls and infrastructure often disrupt traditional signals. The proposed system consists of three primary modules: the Ward Module, Central Hub, and Doctor Module. The Ward Module, placed in hospital wards, allows nurses to trigger emergency alerts by selecting an available doctor. It also provides status updates on message delivery and doctors' responses. The Central Hub acts as the system's control center, maintaining a database of doctors and wards, managing doctor availability, registering new entries, and logging communication transactions. It utilizes a web-based application to handle and collect data, which runs on the Central Hub, streamlining data management and access. The Hub also backs up data to the cloud and stores it locally during internet outages, synchronizing once the connection is restored. The Doctor Modules enable doctors to log their presence by selecting their ID from a list obtained from the Central Hub. This login data is updated in the Central Hub and shared with the Ward Modules. Upon receiving an emergency alert, doctors can respond by accepting, canceling, or forwarding the message, with the updated status being communicated back to the Ward Module. The system was tested in a simulated hospital environment using two Ward Modules, two Doctor Modules, and a Central Hub, covering a 200m distance. Both the Ward and Doctor Modules were built using ESP32 microcontrollers with LoRa modules operating at 433 MHz, while the Central Hub was developed using a Raspberry Pi single board computer with a LoRa module. The system demonstrated reliable performance, maintaining stable communication across the test range. It also demonstrated potential for larger hospitals, with extended range possible through proper antenna configuration. A 96% success rate was recorded, with message transmission in under 2 seconds. While LoRa offers robust long-range communication with low power use, its limited bandwidth poses challenges for large data transmission. However, for emergency pager systems, the trade-off between power efficiency and data capacity is acceptable. The system operates independently of traditional communication infrastructure, providing hospitals with a sustainable and resilient solution for emergency communication. It streamlines emergency response in hospital wards by enabling realtime communication and status updates between staff, ensuring fast and accurate transmission of critical information. This enhances the efficiency of interventions and improves patient care outcomes.
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    Harvesting energy from human-body movements for ultra-low power appliances
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Gunarathna, T. G. L.; Rupasingha, U. S. D. B. M.; Gunasekara, H. S.; Thennakoon, S. E. R. T. M. M. I.; Senanayake, S. V.; Leanage, H. B.; Kumarage, W. G. C.; Ranaweera, A. L. A. K.
    Energy harvesting from human body movements presents a promising approach to sustainably power wearable devices and sensor nodes. This study explores the potential of capturing energy from footsteps using piezoelectric technology. A critical aspect of this technology involves designing an efficient interface between the piezoelectric elements and the electrical load to maximize energy conversion. The irregular and low-frequency nature of human footsteps poses a significant challenge, resulting in low energy extraction. Moreover, achieving a self-powered circuit adds another layer of complexity. To address these challenges, a novel Parallel-Synchronous Switching Harvesting on Inductor (P-SSHI) circuit is proposed. This circuit increases the energy extraction efficiency of piezoelectric elements. Since the output of a piezoelectric element is in the form of alternating current (AC), a MOSFET-based full-bridge rectifier circuit is proposed to convert AC to direct current (DC). As proof of concept, a shoe insole integrated with multiple piezoelectric elements connected in parallel was developed, and the energy conversion circuit was rigorously validated. The system was tested at a frequency of 1 Hz, which corresponds to the typical walking frequency, using a person weighing 60 kg. Under these conditions, the proposed system achieved an average power output of 550 µW per step with a 10 kΩ resistive load and a 10 µF storage capacitor. The effectiveness of the system was further validated by demonstrating its ability to charge a 1 mF capacitor to 2.1 V in 18 steps and a 10 µF capacitor to 7.0 V in a single step. Notably, the circuit is self-powered and capable of initiating operation without the assistance of an external battery, highlighting its potential for autonomous use. The circuit was prototyped using simple discrete components, emphasizing its practicality and feasibility for real-world applications. The proposed MOSFET-based rectifier circuit offers a significant advantage in converting AC to DC with minimal voltage drop, compared to conventional diode full-bridge rectifiers. Furthermore, the system's capability to charge a Li-ion battery (3.7 V, 300 mAh) was demonstrated, showcasing the potential of the wearable piezoelectric energy harvesting system to provide a sustainable power supply for wearable wireless sensors. Future studies will focus on optimizing energy harvesting under different walking conditions, integrating energy storage devices, and enhancing durability. The proposed technology also shows promise for applications in diverse fields such as healthcare, fitness monitoring, and environmental sensing, where reliable, self-sustaining wearable power solutions are in high demand.
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    Factors associated with bedtime procrastination among undergraduates of a selected higher educational institute in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) De Silva, K. U. S.; Samarakoon, N.; Rathnapala, J.
    Bedtime procrastination can negatively impact one’s life in different ways, including learning, concentration, memory, stress, irascibility, obesity, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, working inefficiency, and a reduction in life satisfaction. In order to lead a balanced, fulfilling, and productive life, it is important to establish and maintain a proper sleeping schedule. Procrastinating bedtime is an irritating and problematic trait that is witnessed in a multitude of cultures and is highly prevalent among university students throughout the world. Also, there is less evidence on demonstrating factors associated with bedtime procrastination of university students in the Sri Lankan context. The present study aimed to investigate the factors associated with bedtime procrastination among undergraduates at a selected higher educational institute in Sri Lanka. The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 335 undergraduates of KAATSU International University (KIU) in Sri Lanka using the Simple Random Sampling method. It was completed within the time period from January 2023 to January 2024. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee at KIU. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data, and the questionnaires were distributed among the participants by physically reaching them. The nine-item Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS) was utilized to assess bedtime procrastination, and a demographic questionnaire was utilized to assess the demographic factors among the undergraduates at KIU. The data were analysed using the One Way ANOVA using IBM SPSS version 25. The variables; ‘gender’, ‘academic year’ and ‘degree categories’ have not shown any statistically significant differences (p>0.05; One Way ANOVA). Yet according to the test results, it revealed that ‘employment status’ has shown statistically significant differences. (F= (2,332) = -4.251, p = 0.015). A Turkey post hoc test revealed that the bedtime procrastination varied among the employment status was statistically significantly lower in-unemployed (27.82 ± 5.3, p = 0.022) and self-employed (23.4 ± 3.2, p = 0.011) compared with employed (25.98 ± 5.0). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the unemployed and self-employed groups (p = 0.090). The present study concluded that there is an association between the employment status of undergraduates at KIU and their bedtime procrastination, along with university students who procrastinate at bedtime are more likely to be employed. Further research studies to develop interventions to minimize university students in Sri Lanka from procrastinating at night before going to bed is recommended.
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    Corrosion inhibition of mild steel using Momordica dioica extract in acidic medium
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Pradeepani, E. P. M.; Jayawardena, S.
    Corrosion is a natural phenomenon where refined metals transform into more stable substances like metal oxides, sulfides, or hydroxides, resulting in the metal's degradation. Metals higher in the reactivity series, like iron and zinc, are more prone to corrosion, indicating that corrosion involves the oxidation of metals. When an electron acceptor or depolarizer is present, corrosion occurs as an electrochemical process, with oxidation and reduction reactions occurring at different sites on the metal surface. For example, iron corrodes to form a visible reddish-brown layer of iron oxide. Oxygen and moisture are key factors that facilitate corrosion. This degradation can compromise the desired properties of the metal, highlighting the importance of preventive measures to preserve these properties. Mild steel, a type of low-carbon steel, is widely used in various industries. However, its main disadvantage is its vulnerability to corrosion. To improve the corrosion resistance of mild steel, several methods can be utilized, with the addition of inhibitors being the most straightforward and effective. Inhibitors are categorized into three types: cathodic, anodic, and adsorption inhibitors, with natural inhibitors or plant extracts falling into the adsorption category. This study employed electrochemical techniques to examine the effect of methanol plant extract from Momordica dioica on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel. The corrosion inhibition properties of the plant extract were assessed using cyclic voltammetry, which measures the current in an electrochemical cell under a constant potential. An acidic corrosive medium was prepared using a 1 M HCl solution, with the concentration of the plant extract inhibitor in this medium varying from 2% to 8% v/v. This range was chosen based on prior studies that indicated optimal inhibition effects within this concentration. To achieve the same current flow through the inhibitor solutions as compared to control solutions, the applied potential difference had to be increased, indicating resistance to current flow in the inhibitor solutions. The components in the inhibitor solution adsorb onto the surface of the mild steel specimens, forming a protective layer between the mild steel and the corrosive medium. The study confirmed that concentrations within this range provided a significant increase in corrosion resistance, as evidenced by the higher required potential values to maintain the same current flow in inhibitor solutions compared to blank solutions. This suggests that Momordica dioica extract effectively inhibits mild steel corrosion in acidic environments.
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    The paradigm shifts from humoral theory to germ theory
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Randiwela, R. M. D. S.; Subasinghe, A. W. K. W.
    This study examined the historical and intellectual transformation from humoral theory to germ theory on diseases, marking a significant shift in medical thought. Utilizing qualitative methodology, the research examined primary and secondary sources under historic method and content analysis to illuminate the decline of humoral theory and the subsequent ascendancy of germ theory. Humoral theory, rooted in ancient Greek medicine (5th Century BCE), posited that human health depended on a delicate equilibrium of four bodily fluids: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. Dominating medical practice for millennia, this paradigm influenced diagnosis, treatment, and social perceptions of health. However, its limitations in explaining the etiology and progression of diverse diseases created an intellectual void, especially in explaining the cause of infectious diseases, the existence of which was not known in early days of history. Concurrently, the Renaissance ushered in a renewed emphasis on observation and experimentation, and it challenged, among many other thoughts, the theoretical underpinnings of humoral medicine. The invention of the microscope opened a new frontier, revealing a previously unseen microbial world. Although the first microscopists Antonie van Leeuwenhoek observed the first microorganisms and subsequent microscopy revealed more about them, their relevance to diseases remained unknown. Then, in the 19th century, the world witnessed a watershed moment in terms of the emergence of germ theory. Louis Pasteur’s groundbreaking work on infectious diseases, coupled with the procedure Robert Koch formulated to confirm the link between a disease and the pathogen that causes it, a procedure came to be known as the Koch's postulates, provided irrefutable evidence for the microbial causation of the relevant diseases. Unsurprisingly, this paradigm shift in medicine was met with resistance from traditional medical practitioners entrenched in humoral theory. Intellectual debates ensued regarding the nature of contagion, the role of the environment, and the implications of the new theory on public health eventually leading to the acceptance of germ theory on infectious diseases, and acceptance which brought in had profound consequences. It transformed science of medicine, birthing the novel disciplines medical microbiology and immunology. Public health measures, such as sanitation, and vaccination, and procedures including disinfection, sterilization and aseptic techniques, were predicated on germ theory. However, the legacy of humoral theory persists, and the importance of regulated body biochemistry in non-infectious diseases remains undeniable. It is still seen influencing concepts like balance, temperament, and the mind-body connection in contemporary medicine and alternative healing practices. This study underscored the dynamic nature of medical knowledge, shaped by a complex interplay of historical, scientific, and social factors. The transition from humoral theory to germ theory exemplifies a paradigm shift in the field of medicine, highlighting the importance of empirical observation, experimental rigor, and intellectual openness in medical understanding.
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    Development of rapid detection strip for amines from other organic functional groups
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Ravindu, M. A. Y.; Maheshani, Y. K. D. C.; Kumarika, B. M. T.; Wanniarachchi, D. D. C. de S.
    Identifying organic compounds in a laboratory requires a lot of chemicals and hence, the process is expensive. To address the challenges of controlling costs and reducing chemical waste, an investigation into the integration of chemistry with computer science techniques has been initiated. This approach emphasizes the significance and innovative aspects of the research. The research focuses on predicting Organic Compounds using both color strips and machine learning methods. A disposable strip was designed with ten separate holes, each serving as a colorimetric indicator. The first hole does not contain any chemical, from the second hole FeCl3, Chromic Acid, CuCl2, FCP, Methyl Orange, Phenol Red, Bromophenol Blue, Thymol Blue, Bromocresol Green were in holes respectively. These sensor indicators react with Functional group, causing distinctive color changes. RGB values from colorimetric strips were extracted as the dataset using ImageJ, an image analysis software, which analyzed photos of the sensor strip to obtain the RGB values for each hole. Two methods were used to classify compounds. Initially, the dataset containing RGB values of every compound was subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to evaluate the sensor array's intrinsic capacity for distinguishing between distinct categories of organic compounds. Second, specific chemicals were categorized using their RGB profiles because of the development of machine learning algorithms. It was shown that alcohol, ester, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid could not be effectively separated using a single-color value (red, green, or blue) using PCA. But in the green value PCA plots, amines frequently formed unique clusters that allowed for their independent identification. Using PCA-derived green values, the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) model proved to be the most effective among all models for classifying chemicals as amines or non-amines, with an accuracy of 94%, recall of 95%, and precision of 95%. The KNN model achieved 99% training accuracy by adding additional amine and non-amine chemicals (27 and 26 respectively) to the training dataset. This study demonstrates the potential of RGB data for chemical identification, particularly for amines, suggesting that the colorimetric sensor array can be used as an identification strip for amine compounds in environmental samples and for educational purposes. Clustering mixtures like Carboxylic Acid-Aldehyde, Alcohol-Ketone into different categories was shown to be a substantial issue. Mixtures' color patterns frequently matched the dominating component's (amine in an amine-alcohol-ester combination, for example). This shows that in complex samples, clear categorization is made difficult by solvent effects or inter-component interactions.
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    Adsorption of Methylene blue on leaves of Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum)
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Weerathunga, M. A. O. Y.; Dinusha, M. D. N.; Karunathilaka, R. M. M. K.; Priyantha, N.
    Massive amounts of industrial pollutants released to the environment because of industrial expansion, which is needed to fulfil the demands of the ever-increasing population, have become a global threat. Consequently, the use of effective treatment methodologies is a necessity, and such methodologies should not only be economical, but also be environmentally friendly. In this respect, biosorption has become a sound alternative for removing toxic industrial dyes. Although many biosorbents have been researched, attempts on their practicability have not been much attended to. This study focuses on the use of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) leaves, a biosorbent that has not been extensively investigated, for the removal of methylene blue (MB), a common dye used in textiles and other industries. The fibrous nature of this biosorbent would make it suitable for surface modification as needed. Biosorbent for this investigation was prepared by mature leaves of guinea grass, collected randomly from Kandy district, cut into 1.0 – 2.0 cm lengths followed by thorough washing with tap water and deionised water, and then crushing followed by thorough washing again with deionised water until the supernatant became colourless. Samples were then dried at 120 °C for 2.0 h. Parameter optimisation was conducted using 50.0 mL of 10 ppm MB solutions, with one parameter varied at a time while keeping the others unchanged. This process led to optimal values of 0.25 g of adsorbent dosage, 20 minutes of shaking time, 20 minutes of settling time, and a pH of 5.66, based on absorption measurements recorded at 664 nm, achieving an excellent removal rate of 97.5% is obtained. Moreover, this biosorption system reaches equilibrium in a very short time owing to the fibrous nature which is advantageous for extension of bench work toward large-scale removal of MB from contaminated industrial effluents. It is further determined that the transfer of MB from solution to the biosorbent surface follows the pseudo secondorder kinetics model with a high correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9889.
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    Developments and Trends in Qualitative Research in Agricultural Science
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Fernando, S.; Lankapura, A. I. Y.; Udagedara, G.; Jayaneththi, H. U.; Kumara, S. N.
    Agricultural science is a broad, multidisciplinary field combining elements of natural and social sciences and informs the applicability of quantitative and qualitative methods to solve its issues. Despite the application of quantitative methods predominate, there remains an ambiguity in the application of qualitative methods to solve issues in agricultural science due to quality, validity and reliability concerns. Moreover, agricultural science researchers face the challenge of selecting among interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), observations, case studies, and textual analysis, or a combination of these methods to enhance validity and reliability. This study reviews the application of qualitative methods in agricultural science to identify common methods used, their purpose, and their contributions to investigating agricultural phenomena to provide agricultural science researchers with a guideline to enhance research quality and clear misconceptions. The study uses PRISMA reporting guidelines and has developed a protocol with search terms, and inclusion criteria. Scopus is used as the main database and initial search on qualitative data collection methods from 1981 to 2024 resulted in 1,368 articles which were reduced to 628 after applying selection criteria. The research utilized both manual and automatic reviews to ensure unbiased selections. At the final stage, articles were included for bibliometric analysis using R. The results revealed that the production of qualitative studies has increased notably since 2000. As a country, Indonesia ranked first in the application of qualitative data collection methods, followed by the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia in agricultural science research. Among the qualitative data collection methods, interviews are the most used method in agricultural science research, followed by observations, focus group discussions, narratives, and open-ended surveys. The application of qualitative data collection methods has increased significantly in agricultural science research from 2011 to the present. Early application of qualitative methods remained to about a few themes, including environment, forestry and local knowledge. From 2021 to 2024, the thematic areas of qualitative enquiry have expanded significantly, indicating their ability to apply to a broad range of subjects in agricultural science consisting of climate change, livelihood, organic farming, smallholder farming, extension, food security, conservation agriculture, agroforestry, aquaculture, food safety, and sustainability. Broadly speaking, there has been a gradual increase in applying more than one qualitative method since 2009. The increasing use of multiple methods to study phenomena highlights the importance of data triangulation in qualitative research. Additionally, investigator and data source triangulation have increased the quality and validity. Among 60% of the ten topmost cited papers used more than one data collection method, implying that multiple methods enhance the validity and reliability of the studies. Of them, 40% used a single qualitative method and 60% used interviews. The use of multiple methods could be a reason for the higher impact of these studies. The swift increase in the use of qualitative data collection methods and the combination of multiple methods shows their broader relevance for examining the phenomena in agricultural science and their ability to produce quality and valid work.
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    Assessment of repeated frying quality of some selected cooking oils available in the local markets in Piliyandala, Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Navodani, J. A. N.; Munasinghe, M. L. A. M. S.
    Plant-based cooking oils are used in various food processing methods. Deep frying is considered one of the most popular methods among them. Since deep frying requires comparatively a large amount of oil, both industrial and domestic users tend to recycle the frying oil to minimize the expense of food preparation. However, the majority of the general public is unaware of how oil quality is changed with repeated deep frying. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the oil quality variations of three commonly consumed cooking oil types in Sri Lanka, with repeated deep frying. To achieve this objective, a bulk coconut, a bulk palm, and a branded sunflower oil samples were purchased from the local market in the Piliyandala area, and potato and fish were deep fried separately for three conservative frying cycles. After each frying cycle, the acid value, peroxide value, and moisture content of oil samples were determined. These physicochemical properties act as important strategies in monitoring the oil quality. Accordingly, sunflower oil had a higher initial quality than the bulk coconut and palm oil samples, with less acid value, peroxide value, and moisture content. Initial acid values of coconut, palm, and sunflower oils ranged from 0.4225, 0.1845 to 0.1877 mg KOH/g. Corresponding peroxide values varied from 3.7844, 6.9336 to 3.7259 mEq O2/kg and moisture contents varied from 0.594%, 0.491% to 0.199%. As per the results, regardless of the frying material, the acid value and the peroxide value increased significantly with the increased number of frying cycles whereas the moisture content decreased. However, the number of frying cycles that oil can be recycled varies depending on the frying material. When considering the repeated deep frying process, at a frying temperature of 180 °C for 20 minutes, all three oil samples are not suitable for repeated deep frying of fish, due to their acid and peroxide values, which were not aligned with the recommended levels of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Bulk coconut oil exhibited an acid value of 1.0440 mg KOH/g and bulk palm oil had a 0.5536 mg KOH/g acid value, which was closer to the recommended level. Even though sunflower oil did not exceed the recommended acid value, its peroxide value was closer to the recommended level with 9.2898 mEq O2/kg. However, when potato was used as the frying material sunflower and bulk palm oil samples can be recycled up to two frying cycles with peroxide values 9.3084 and 9.5656 mEq O2/kg respectively. But the bulk coconut oil sample could not be used for repeated deep frying of potato, since it had an acid value higher than the recommended level after the first frying cycle which was 0.8478 mg KOH/g. When considering the peroxide value, coconut oil exhibited the highest oxidative stability while sunflower oil exhibited the lowest. The experiment needs to be conducted with many different oil staples available in the local markets.
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    Standardization and preliminary phytochemical screening of Kodiveli chooranum
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Varuna, V.; Thayalini, T.; Velauthamurty, K.; Manoranjan, T.
    Traditional medicinal systems (Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani) impact on people's health care and deal with herbo mineral preparation. More than 80% of the population uses herbs and herbal products for primary health care. Standardization is crucial in drug manufacturing and the safety, efficacy, and, quality of the medicines necessity to be analyzed before commercialization. The polyherbal concoction of Kodivelich chooranum (KC) is a chooranum under the 32 types of internal medicine mentioned in Siddha literature which is used for treating skin disorders (kiranthi, kuttam, and puzhuveddu). The study aimed to screen the key phytochemicals and establish standardized parameters for the Kodivelich chooranum to ensure safety and efficacy. The plant materials were collected, purified, and prepared the KC chooranum according to the Siddha textbook of Vaithiya pooranam 205. The KC and its constituents were evaluated for important phytochemicals such as glycoside, flavonoid, saponin, tannin, and terpenoid. The standardization of KC was carried out of Ash value, loss on drying at 110 ºC, pH value, total solids of aqueous extract, and extractive values. The methanolic and aqueous extract of the KC and individual ingredients showed the presence of glycoside, tannin, flavonoids, saponin, and terpenoids. The value of physicochemical parameters of KC contains total ash 6.29 ± 0.09, acidinsoluble ash 1.66 ± 0.22, pH 6.04 ± 0.08, loss on drying at 110 6.66 ± 0.84, Total solid of aqueous extract 8.93 ± 0.22, Alcohol soluble 4.83 ±0.11, and water-soluble 9.37 ± 1.36. The results of the current investigation showed that all of the examined parameters had values that fell within the WHO's standards. The presence of phytochemicals confirmed this concoction can be used for skin diseases. Future research on antimicrobials will be conducted to evaluate the medication's effectiveness.