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A Comparative Study of Anthocyanin and Chlorophyll Pigments Extracted From Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) and Spinacia
A Comparative Study of Anthocyanin and Chlorophyll Pigments Extracted From Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) and Spinacia
Investigatory Project
Science 2 – Chemistry
Sophomore G
Submitted by:
Albano, Rufus
Arriola, Rafael
Morales, Fides
Pacis, Ted
Reforma, Bianca
Toque, Hazel
Submitted to:
January 9, 2015
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CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Background of Study
Ink has been used for thousands of years in human history. Ink has allowed our kind to
perpetuate knowledge, preserve history, and communicate with one another on a highly visual
platform. Ever since, humans have innovated inks through comprehensive studies and
communication, and several other fields. Modern printing inks are much more complex
compared to early inks. They are composed of pH modifiers, humectants to prevent drying,
polymeric resins to bind the components, defoaming agents for the efficiency of its foam,
wetting agents, thickeners, and biocides to prevent bacterial growth. Chemicals such as carbon
black and triphenylmethane have also been standardized for use in commercial printing inks.
Additionally, a great number of households and offices are now equipped with printers to the
Printers may be considered as a general commodity now that the world has industrialized
to the use of inkjets. However, a cartridge of ink commonly costs about $15.37, or ₱694.13, and
may contain as little as 5 ml of ink. According to David Connett, the editor of The Recycler,
printing ink manufacturers adapt to the strategies of discouraging refills in order to gain more
profit for their business. Consequently, people tend to dispose of their used ink cartridges instead
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of recycling and utilizing them for second use. About 500 million used cartridges end up in
landfills
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every year, and these would take more than 1000 years to decompose. The production of
commercial inks also pose threats to human and environmental health due to trace levels of
heavy metals such cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead and mercury released in printing ink
manufacture.
Through this investigatory project, the researchers shall seek alternatives to printer ink in
order to save the cost and risk of buying commercial printing inks.
leaves grow in small bunches with crinkled or flat structures. Packed with vitamins and minerals,
metabolized and uses to develop new red blood cells and removes cancerous substances in our
system.
However, chlorophyll has other purposes aside from health uses. Chlorophyll conducts
photosynthesis for plants. With this green pigment, the leaves absorb sunlight in order to
synthesize organic compounds to produce glucose and oxygen. It is also a food colorant and is
widely used in the culinary world in order to color various food and beverages such as pasta and
absinthe.
species of nightshade vegetable, having a mild bitter taste and spongy texture. Eggplants provide
a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals, along with phytonutrients such as chlorogenic acid.
These greatly benefit the brain cell membranes, and serve as a great antioxidant.
Anthocyanin is the dominant pigment in eggplants, taking the form of nasurin. Eggplants
contain about 750 mg per 100 g, making it one of the vegetables with the highest Anthocyanin
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content. This pigment’s major function is to provide color to most flowers and fruits to attract
pollinators. Depending on their pH, they may appear red, purple, or blue. It is also used as a food
additive. They are water-soluble, which would make it possible for it to be used in paint, pen ink,
Anthocyanin and Chlorophyll are both examples of biological pigments. These pigments
contain substances that produce color from selective color absorption through the process of
extract Chlorophyll and Anthocyanin pigments from Spinacia olerace (Spinach) and
Can these natural pigments act as commercial substitutes to common printing inks?
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Hypothesis
If the tested solutions containing these pigments satisfy the entirety of the
performance tests, then they may be used as colorants for printer ink.
If the results of the performance tests and the conducted surveys suggest positive
feedback on the marketability of these pigments, then they can act as substitutes to
Significance of Study
Printing ink is a vital necessity to many students and professionals. Ink manufacturers
market their inks at expensive costs because of the high and inevitable demand of ink for
purposes essential to the survival of our current society. Additionally, the production of printing
ink involves various processes in order to create, package, and distribute the products. There are
several different environment, and eventually, health risks brought about by ink manufacture and
its careless disposal. From gathering the raw materials, to the production of ink, to its
distribution, consumption and finally, its disposal, the economy of printing ink has caused
The sole purpose of this study is to test and investigate natural plant pigments as
commercial printing inks, and to encourage printer-owners to recycle their used ink cartridges
with cheaper and more accessible ink alternatives. The results of this investigatory project may
be used to determine if these samples would be marketable as safer and more natural printer inks.
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Scope and Delimitation
The researchers shall only be extracting the pigments Chlorophyll and Anthocyanin from
Spinacia olerace and Solanum melongena in uniform amounts and in controlled time periods.
They shall be dissolving the extracted pigments into three different solvents: acetone and
They shall inject the pigments only into empty HP ink cartridges, and print with an HP
The researchers shall be focusing on the performance of the two pigments as printer inks
through a series of tests and comparative analysis based on the following criteria: quality,
durability through light exposure, storage life, marketability, practicality, and flexibility of
purpose. They shall also be comparing the pigments to commercial printer inks in order to
20 students and 20 working professionals. The survey shall be conducted within the limits of
Muntinlupa City.
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CHAPTER II
A.
investigatory project regarding the use of Alugbati berry seed juice as marker ink. Alugbati is
known to have a high Anthocyanin content and is highly recommended for ink production.
According to them, the ink produced from Alugbati was easy to make and their analysis showed
that the product was most likely the same with the features of the markers in the market.
B.
According to a study done by TUV Rheinland, over half of inkjet printer ink is thrown
away. The study revealed that almost 60% of the ink inside cartridges goes unused, meaning, the
ink efficiency level is low, considering the amount of money one has paid for.
C.
Regular commercial printer ink has significant impact to the environment around us.
According to a study conducted by the EuPIA, or the European Printing Ink Association,
disposed commercial printer ink may affect aquatic life and the atmosphere. It produces
greenhouses gases, which trap heat in the Earth and contributes to global warming.
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D.
The earliest inks were known to have been produced from iron gall, oil, ink-producing
animals, and elements such as lead and carbon, just to name a few. Fruits such as pomegranate
were used by the medieval British, while earlier civilizations used natural dyes from saffron,
turmeric, weld, and various logwoods. These are usually mixed with water stabilised with a
E.
Many scientists conducted research and experiments with different kinds of vegetables,
such as eggplants, to find out if they are acids, bases, or neutral. This determines the type of
pigments and colors they produce, which was used until the 19th century in clothes and sources of
dye in fabrics. Different types of plants produces different qualities and varieties in color and
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
Materials
Eggplant Peels
Pipette
Spinach Leaves
Mortar & Pestle
Ethanol
Buchner funnel
Acetone
Filter Paper
Hexane
Stirring Rod
Distilled water
Test Tubes (with screw caps)
Small beaker
Blender
Large beaker
Weighing Scale
Knife
Used HP ink cartridges
Anhydrous sodium sulfate (NA2SO4)
HP Deskjet Ink Advantage Printer
Graduated Cylinder
Typewriting Paper
Ring Stand
Cotton Swabs
Micro Clamp
Timer
Cotton Plugs
Procedure
I. EXTRACTION
a. Extraction of Chlorophyll
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1. Gather 1g of Spinach leaves. Rip the leaves into small pieces
and put them in the mortar. Add 2ml of acetone before grinding
2. Transfer the liquid from the mortar to a test tube with the use of
extract in the test tube, screw the cap on and start shaking the
yourself and from other people. Leave the tube to stand in order
4. Drain the water layer from the pipette into a small beaker.
the test tube. Once more, drain the bottom water layer into a
small beaker.
the pipette to a ring stand, and filter the extract into a vial. This
b. Extraction of Anthocyanin
1. Slice the peel off the eggplant and measure about 10g.
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2. Add the peels in a blender in order to further grind them.
1. Cut label at joint between top and bottom cap of the cartridge case
4. Screw the Ball Remover screw into the center of the rubber
sealing plug, (situated in the filling hole) until a firm grip is made
and pull out the plug. (Keep the plug on the end of the Yellow
Ball Remover)
5. Put the blunt filling needle onto the syringe and fill the
6. Insert the blunt needle into the filling hole until the pink part of
the needle is pressed up against the filling hole. Be sure the needle
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7. Slowly inject with 30cc of pigments and then reseal by pushinng
back in the rubber plug. (Push in with the plug on the end of the
ball remover screw and then remove the ball remover screw
8. Remove the excess air from the ink bag and pump assembly as
follows:
the top.
c. Press and release pump several times which will expel air
from the outlet hole tube and then withdraw the needle.
9. Replace the ink bag assembly into the cartridge case and clip
1. Insert the cartridge with the Chlorophyll and Acetone solution into
the printer.
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3. Print the document on typewriting paper.
check if the ink has dried. Time how long it took to dry
completely.
solution used for printing the document and photo. Focus on color
7. Lastly, print copies of the same document and photo with the use
1. Place the printed documents from each of the created inks in the
following areas:
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the time being, and then return them to their original
2. The papers would be left for 30 days in their specific areas. Take
3. Place one set in the refrigerator, while the other 4 shall remain in
room temperature.
5. After 14 days, inject these inks into cartridges. Print the same
d. Marketability
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A door-to-door survey shall be conducted in attempt to sell the product
printers. The researchers shall present them with the facts of the
feedback, comments, and ratings. The data from the survey shall be
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References
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Carle, R., Sadilova, E. & Stintzing, F.C. (2006, April 11/March 6). Anthocyanins, Colour and
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/6805743_Anthocyanins_colour_and_antioxidant_proper
ties_of_eggplant_(Solanum_melongena_L.)_and_violet_pepper_(Capsicum_annuum_L.)_peel_e
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Olivera, N. (2012, March). Colored Ink for Computer Printer Out of malabar nihtshade
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Preton Ltd, white paper: Environmental issues associated with toner and ink usage. (2010,
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http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2011/03/refilling-your-printer-ink-cartridges.html
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