TEA EXTRACT DECOCTION: TEABAGS AS AN ALTERNATIVE INK

Alberca, Kristine Kyla M. Legria, Jander James A.

Astilla, John Ashley Z. Mendaño, Nathaniel P.

Bayot, Aiesha A. Orias, Mae Antonette M.

Cinco, Eloija Ashley C. Peñeda, Marknel O.

Gabieta, Queen Sofia Isabel Relano, Jeany Liz M.

Tecson, Mc Arron S.

Block 9 - STEM

A Research Proposal
Submitted in Partial fulfillment
of the course Practical Research 2

ACLC College of Tacloban

Senior High School Department
Tacloban City, Leyte

2022
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in finding alternative and

sustainable materials for everyday use, including ink. Traditional ink is typically made

from petroleum-based products and can have a negative impact on the environment.

This has led researchers to explore alternative materials such as tea bags, which made

from natural and biodegradable materials. Studies have shown the tea bags contain

tannins, which are organic compounds that can be used as a natural dye. When

brewed, tea bags release these tannins, which can be collected and used as ink.

Ink is a liquid made up of pigments or dyes that is used to transfer an image,

text, or design onto a suitable surface. It comprises a chemical composition of pigments

or dyes. For writing or sketching, ink is applied with a pen, metal nib, brush, or quill.

Letterpress and lithographic mechanical printing employ thicker inks, sometimes in

paste form. Ink is a complex mixture of different ingredients, including solvents, resins,

alcohol, lubricants, carbon, pigments, dyes, aniline, dextrin, glycerin, fluorescents, and

other chemicals that can be found in ink. The components interact to influence the five-

flowing characteristics, color intensity, durability, drying time, sunlight resistance, and

look of the generated picture.

A tea bag, or the compound teabag, is a small, porous, sealed bag or

packet, typically containing tea leaves of other herbs, which is immersed in water to

steep and make an infusion. Originally used only for tea (camellia sinensis), they are
now made with other tisanes (herbal teas) as well. Teabags are commonly made of filter

paper or food-grade plastic, or occasionally of silk cotton or silk. The teabags can be

used multiple times until there is no extraction left. Some teabags have been attached

piece of string with a paper label at the top that assist in removing the bag, while also

displaying the brand or variety of tea.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 The research seeks to determine whether teabags are an effective colorant

agent for making writing ink.

 The aim of reducing the environmental impact.

 We would like to know if cornstarch can help to achieve the desired

consistency and if vinegar can intensify the ink’s color.

STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESES

There are two hypotheses in this study: First, teabags are effective colorant in

producing ink and second, by adding cornstarch and vinegar to the mixture.

A. Alternative Hypotheses (Ha) – There is a potential that teabags are

effective colorant in producing ink. If vinegar and cornstarch are added to the mixture,

the finished result will be darker and thicker than if neither is added.

B. Null Hypotheses (Ho) – There is no potential that teabags are effective

colorant in producing ink. Vinegar and cornstarch are not effective added to the mixture.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK (PARADIGM)

 Conceptual paradigm showing if teabags (Independent variable) can be used

to create an alternative ink (Dependent Variable) and also to find out if cornstarch and

vinegar (Controlled Variable) can help to thickening the consistency and making the

color strengthening.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Boiling water and filtering a. Place the 7 bags in a ½ cup of We came up the result

are effective and efficient boiling water. that it was darker ink

steps to start. b. Create the tea for 6-8 minutes. when you used the

c. Remove the teabags from the teabags as your

boiling water using a strainer alternative ink.

and a fork.

d. While stirring the tea, add a

tablespoon of vinegar.

e. Continue to stir it.

f. Remove it from the heat and let

it cool.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

THE PEOPLE: This study will help people who cannot afford to buy commercial ink. As

time goes on, commodity prices are growing and there is a possibility that the cost of ink
will also increase. Hence, this research will help since the materials that they are going

to use in this project are common and easy, they will spend less money.

ENVIRONMENT: All of the materials that will be used in this project are safe and free of

dangerous chemicals. Therefore, it is non-toxic compared to commercially sold inks

which tend to cause harm to one's health and the environment.

RESEARCHERS: This study helps to expand knowledge and understanding of a

chosen topic.

FUTURE RESEARCHERS: This study will be useful for researchers who would plan to

make any related study.

SCOPE & LIMITATION (DELIMITATION)

This study is focuses on how cornstarch and vinegar affect the final result.

The researchers will make two set ups in order to have accurate observations: one with

an ink contains vinegar and cornstarch, and the other without. This study is limited on

choosing an alternative ink using teabags. The target population of this research is the

people who cannot afford to buy a commercial ink. The experiment will be conducted in

Tacloban City, the duration of this study will be within the second semester of the school

year 2022-2023.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms are further defined either operationally or conceptually:

Alternative - available as another possibility

Aniline – a colorless oily liquid present in coal tar.

Camelia Sinensis – is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree in the flowering plant

family Theaceae.

Chlorophyll – responsible for the green color of many plants and algae.

Concoction – a mixture of various ingredients or elements.

Dextrin – used as thickening agents in foods and as gums.

Facilitated – make (an action or process) easy or easier.

Glycerine – as defined by Collins English Dictionary, it is a thick, sweet, colorless liquid

that is used especially in making medicine, explosives and anti-freeze for cars.

Interpersonal Communication – exchange information through vice, facial expressions,

body language and gestures.

Lubricant – As defined by Merriam Webster, something that lessens or prevents friction

or difficulty.

Pigments or Dyes – are the main forms of colorant. A colored material. (Pigment –

Wikipedia)

Preliminary – denoting an action or event preceding or done in preparation for

something fuller or more important.

Resins – Any natural or synthetic organic compound consisting of a non-crystalline or

viscous liquid substance.

Tea – describes it as a medicinal beverage. First discovered in China. (2737 B.C.,

Emperor Shen Nung)

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the related literature and studies after the thorough

search done by the researchers. The researchers will use this as a guide as

researchers create the project. Additionally, the content in this chapter aids in

familiarizing readers with knowledge that is relevant to and related to the current study,

the information in this chapter is helpful.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

FOREIGN LITERATURE

Worldwide School (1999) explained the origin and history of ink, this history of

Chinese inks can be traced back to the 18th century BC, with the utilization of natural

plant dyes, animal, and mineral inks based on such materials as graphite that were

ground with water and applied with ink brushes. Sinensis, what we now call tea. 11. Tea

dyeing is an easy way to mute fabrics or give them an older, antiqued look. Tea stains

the fibers and gives a semi-permanent dull brown “dirty” tone to the whole piece. It is

used when you want to “antique” a craft textile such as a doll dress or small quilt.

Griffiths uses the medium of tea and ink to create the pieces. Tea and ink as a medium

have become a trademark for Griffiths in the art world. In this literature, the researchers

learned the history of tea and how civilizations used it for dyeing. Civilizations also used

different natural resources to apply it to their ink brushes. They might have used tea, but
they mainly used it on clothing to make it look antiqued. This is why the researches took

this idea to make tea for writing.

FOREIGN LITERATURE

According to Naghma Khan and Hasan Mukthar (2013), tea, next to water is

the cheapest beverage humans consume. Drinking the beverage tea has been

considered a health-promoting habit since ancient times. The modern medicinal

research is providing a scientific basis for this belief. The evidence supporting the health

benefits of tea drinking grows stronger with each new study that is published in the

scientific literature. Various studies have reported beneficial effects of regular tea

consumption against squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. It also reduces the risk of

other developing chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis

and diabetes. This literature made the researchers believe that tea is one of the best

alternatives to commercialized inks. It shows that tea can also be used against chronic

diseases and used to benefit the skin.

REVIEW RELATED STUDIES

LOCAL STUDIES

The researchers at St. Mary’s Academy of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental (2016)

stated that markers play an important role in writing and artwork in different ways.

Markers are valuable and productive to create various writings on objects with

enormous creative and practical possibilities. Aside from its use in writing, it is also used

in labelling, poster creation and calligraphy. Typically, the inks used in most markers

made from synthetic materials like petroleum and chemical solvents. The researchers
think that mayana and alugbati have great potential in having alternative marker ink due

to their advantages. They used plant extracts as an alternative ink for markers and

shows similarity with making ink out of tea as replacement for commercialized inks. The

similarities include the target audience and purpose which the researchers can use as

basis.

LOCAL STUDIES

In the study of Geberlyn (2012) it states that, these other manufactured inks

nowadays come quite expensive prices, but since the materials to be used in the project

are common and easy to find, you will be spending less money. In addition, no harmful

chemicals will be used in the making of the ink. Therefore, it is non-toxic compared to

commercially sold inks which have the tendencies of causing harm to one’s health and

to the environment. Geberlyn explained how tea is a good alternative to the

manufactured inks. It states that ink is cheap and can be easily found. It also states that

tea is safer than manufactured ink when it comes to the health of the users and the

surrounding environment. This made the researchers convinced that tea is one of the

best alternatives for manufactured ink. The researchers believe that the best

alternatives would be the cheapest, safest and have decent quality.

FOREIGN STUDIES

A study conducted by Russen Charlotte (2012) states that, tea bags can be

used to create an ink. Vinegar can strengthen the color of the product, ink. Cornstarch

effectively contributes to achieving to the right consistency of the ink. The processes

boiling and straining are efficient in taking the extract out of the tea bags. Russen’s
study showed different ingredients that makes ink out of tea better and more efficient.

The researchers have applied this and saw the effects on the ink. The vinegar did

strengthen the ink’s color. The cornstarch also helps to achieve the ink’s correct

consistency. This study was helpful for it made the ink more visible and last longer.

FOREIGN STUDIES

According to Patricia Lehnhardt's (2015) study, the recipes only produce a

tiny amount of ink roughly 3 or 4 ounces so it doesn't require a lot of plant material or

time, giving you the freedom to try out many various colors. The inks can then be

blended to create even more hues. To make the inks last longer and not fade as

quickly, you only need a few specialized items from the craft store or dye supplier:

Mordant: Some natural dyes, such as those from black walnuts, onion skins, tea, or

turmeric, are referred to as substantive, which means they don't need one to bind with

the fibers or maintain wash and light fastness. But the majority of other plants do.

Typically, tannins or mineral salts are used as mordants. Alum and iron are the most

frequent and reliable mordants. Iron can be obtained by adding a rusted iron object to

the pot or by heating the dye in an iron pan. Other names for soda ash include washing

soda and sodium carbonate. The plant material will exhibit a variety of hues thanks to

the alkaline mordant. The key finding of this study which is important for the research is

that specific products from craft stores and dye suppliers can make ink remain longer

and not fade more quickly. It also states that mixing inks would produce more colors

which are also important when making a variety of ink made from tea. It was said that
tea can bond with fiber without the use of a mordant, which makes fiber an excellent

paper for ink.

 CHAPTER III

METHODS OF RESEARCH AND SOURCES OF DATA

This chapter takes the significant part of this research. The

researchers preferred carefully the right method and procedures for teabags as

an alternative ink.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

For this process, the researchers are going to need teabags, water,

and the thickening agent (cornstarch). Some recipes also include vinegar, which

can make their ink a bit more uniform in color. They will also need a couple of

measuring spoons (metal or wooden spoons), a strainer (if using loose tea) and a

ceramic bowl. Finally, if they intend to bottle your ink, they'll need a vial.

TREATMENT & VARIABLES

Teabags Vinegar Cornstarch Water

1st Formula 5 sachets 2 table spoons - 1 cup

2nd formula 7 sachets 1 table spoon 1½ table spoon 2cups

3rd formula 4 sachets - 1 table spoon 4cups

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4th Formula 6 sachets 1½ table spoon 2 table spoons 1½ cups

FLOWCHART OF THE PROCEDURE

Start of Project Prepare the Label the bowls

materials

Remove the Brew the tea Place teabags

teabags from in boiling water
the water

With &
Without
cornstarch
Add vinegar for and Remove from
pigmentation With vinegar Without the heat and let
it cool

Add cornstarch Store it in a

for consistency container

Remove from Store it in a Prepare for

the heat and let container testing
it cool
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GENERAL PROCEDURE

SET-UP A

 Place the teabags in cups of boiling water.

 Create the tea for 6-8 minutes.

 Remove the teabags from the boiling water. Use a strainer and a fork to

remove all of the extracts.

 While stirring the tea, add a tablespoon of vinegar.

 Continue to stir it. Add as much dissolved cornstarch as you need to have

your desired consistency.

 Remove it from the heat and let it cool. When done, store in a bottle.

SET-UP B

 Place the teabags in cups of boiling water.

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  Create the tea for 6-8 minutes.

 Remove the teabags from the boiling water. Use a strainer and a fork to

remove all of the extracts.

 Remove it from the heat and let it cool. When done, store in a bottle.

DATA GATHERING
In order to gather data for using tea bags as an alternative ink, it would

be necessary to conduct experiments to test the feasibility and effectiveness of

using tea bags as ink. This would include testing the color intensity and longevity

of health or environmental associated with using tea as an ink. Additionally, it

would be important to review any existing research on the topic and gather

information on the current states of the ink industry, including any existing

environmentally friendly alternatives.

DATA ANALYSIS

Alternative ink Commercialized ink

Visibility 35% 45%

Affordability 50% 30%

Availability 45% 35%

Thicker consistency 35% 30%

Stronger color 35% 30%

Table 2. This analysis is the prediction of the researchers of the result in

this experiment.

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https://www.google.com/amp/s/thebestscienceproject.com/utilization-tea-

bag-residue-safe-ink-environmentally-friendly/%3famp

http://www.stephenshouseandgardens.com/assets/ugc/docs/

WhatIsInkMadeOfJan2016revd.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_sinensis

http://bakingbites.com/2011/06/what-is-cornstarch/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concoction

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigment

http://www.teausa.com/14655/tea-fact-sheet?

fbclid=IwAR0uQukaiJyLxtR89v

https://www.slideshare.net/grantmethreewishes/ip-powerpoint-11971157

2.

http://www.teausa.com/14655/tea-fact-sheet?

fbclid=IwAR0uQukaiJyLxtR89v-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writing

Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc. (2018). Tea Fact Sheet – 2018 – 2019.

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. (https://haiilo.com)

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