Journal Reviewed:

Okoduwa, Mbora, Adu, Adeyi “Comparative Analysis of the Properties of Acid-Base

Indicator of Rose (Rosa setigera), Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica), and Hibiscus
(Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Flowers”, Volume 2015, Article ID 381721, 6 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/381721

When it comes to indicators that are used often are man-made or synthetic, the
purpose of the indicators are used for the indication of the pH of a substance. The
article Comparative Analysis of the Properties of Acid-Base Indicator of Rose (Rosa
setigera), Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica), and Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Flowers by Okoduwa, Mbora, Adu, and Adey explained that the purpose of this
study is about how natural indicators like Rose, Allamanda, and Hibiscus could be an
excellent replacement for synthetic indicators and aim to evaluate the properties of
some natural substances such as Rose (Rosa setigera), Allamanda (Allamanda
cathartica), and Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flowers in order to ascertain their
analytical potentials as indicators.

For the natural indicators, Okoduwa, Mbora, Adu, and Adey (2015) gathered 3
samples different flowers where they are grounded with the use of mortar and pestle,
then were extracted by two methods: soxhlet extraction and cold method of
extraction. UV/ Visible spectroscopy is used after the extraction in order to determine
the wavelength of maximum absorption, then the extractions are added to different
acids and bases in order to determined whether or not if there will be any color
change. The acids used for the experiment are H2SO4 and CH3COOH, then NaOH.
And KOH were used as bases.

The title of the research does not accurately reflect the main scope and nature of
the work and also it wasn’t clear to address that the 3 samples are used an alternative
for synthetic indicators which is their main purpose of this study. The title only shows
only the comparative analysis of the properties of acid-base indicator of the 3 samples
or flowers. But the title is appropriate for there research but not clear enough to
indicate them as an alternative for synthetic indicators.
 The introduction of the article is well-structured and but the title says
otherwise. Even though the introduction stated the purpose of the study, the
information needed for the readers knowledge are not enough in understanding
when it comes to other sections of the paper. The introduction must add more
information like for example the UV/Visible spectroscopy, because there is no
indication was given in the introduction that will result confusion of the reader.

The methodology was clear but some parts are poorly discussed especially
for the lack of information of the material used like UV?Visible spectroscopy.
The methods stated from the article are clear, from their apparatus, sample
preparation, sample extraction and etc.

The study population and sampling was clearly defined from using 3
different flowers and the amount used for the acids and base to determine the
accuracy of the result of the flowers as natural indicators. Also has quality control
of the samples from the flowers chosen, the use of Acid-Base Titration of the of
the extracts and experimental samples and trials were repeated three times to
check the reliability and precision of the experiment.

The statistical method were appropriate and necessary because of the use of
wavelength of UV/UV/Visible spectroscopy are used to determine the absorbance
of distilled water and methanol used for the three samples used for the
experiment. Also with the repetition ( three times) gives more accuracy of the
results given.

The results somehow stated that solvent extraction was the best method but
didn’t show which specific method was more accurate when it comes to
discussing the best method for extraction and also it didn’t state the evidence
from the tables shown in order to give accuracy of the results. The tables shown
remain consistent and can be justified the conclusions.

The conclusion are consisted with the reported results but need more
indication from the results shown, especially for the statistical results.
 Okoduwa, Mbora, Adu, and Adey (2015) shared that there is an alternative
way for synthetic indicators. However, this study did not describe fully the methods
and need more information of the materials used not only dictating them. This will
only cause confusion and mostly likely guess what the methods and materials used for
the experiment. Even though they proved that Rose (Rosa setigera), Allamanda
(Allamanda cathartica), and Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flowers can be an
alternative for synthetic indicators, they must have a further experiment in comparing
natural and synthetic indicators in order to have a strong evidence of their claim.
 Reference

Okoduwa, S.I.R. & Mbora, Lovina & Matthew, Adu & Adeyi, Ameh. (2015).
Comparative Analysis of the Properties of Acid-Base Indicator of Rose ( Rosa
setigera ), Allamanda ( Allamanda cathartica ), and Hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis )
Flowers. Biochemistry Research International. 2015. 1-6. 10.1155/2015/381721.