VIABILITY OF GUMAMELA (HIBISCUS ROSA-

SINENSIS LINN) PETALS AND ATSUETE (BIXA

ORELLANA L) SEEDS AS ALTERNATIVE

INK FOR MARKERS

Research Proposal

Submitted to Sta. Lucia National High School

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Capstone Research Project

Researchers

Cruz, Mhico Ezekiel G.

Medina, John Arvin

Torres, Joyce R.
 April 2023

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.4 Significance of the Study

1.5 Scope and Delimitations

1.6 Definition of Terms

1.7 Hypothesis
 Introduction

Problem Rationale

The ink industry has always relied on traditional sources of ink such as form iron oxide for

black ink and mercury sulfate for red ink, as well as chemical compounds such as propylene

glycol, propyl alcohol, toluene or glycol ethers (Sharma et.al, 2014). However, the growing

concern for the environment and the rising demand for low-cost alternatives have led to a

reintroduced interest in exploring alternative sources of ink. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, locally

known as gumamela is commonly grown as an ornamental plant with a extensive range of

medicinal applications (Ragasa et.al, 2011). Bixa orellana L, also known as atsuete, is commonly

used as food coloring in Latin American, the Caribbean and Philippine cuisines. Due to their red

pigments, it raised the question on the matter of their viability as sources of red ink. However,

their potential as alternative sources of ink has not been fully explored. By determining their

suitability as a marker ink, this study can provide a sustainable solution to the ink industry that

may assist students from low-income families, as well as to promote the usage of environmental

friendly materials in ink production.

Using gumamela petals and atsuete seeds as alternative sources of ink has several potential

advantages over traditional ink sources. First, these materials are readily available and can be

sourced locally, making them cost-effective and sustainable. Second, the natural dyes derived

from these materials may be less harmful to the environment compared to synthetic compounds

commonly used in commercial ink. Overall, exploring the viability of gumamela petals and

atsuete seeds as alternative sources of ink can have significant implications for the ink industry,

environment, and economy.

Background of the Study

Ink is an essential medium that is widely used in writing, drawing, printing and painting.

However, due to instability of prices of raw materials used in ink production, it became more

difficult to produce ink, leading to increase in the cost of buying commercial ink (Milmo, 2007).

Additionally, with the society being more engaged in the observation of environmental

malpractices in the industrial sector, companies are on their path to develop more sustainable

substitutes and methods of producing ink.

Due to the increasing prices, students that do not have sufficient financial capability are

rendered unable to purchase and utilize commercial ink for the market. Additionally, proximity

or access to commercial ink is difficult in areas that are far away from stationery stores which

regularly offer ink for purchase. Moreover, the volatile organic compounds (VOC) that compose

commercial ink are extremely harmful to the environment as they are capable of land and water

pollution in landfills (Aydemir & Ozsoy, 2020).

In order to address these issues, the usage of sustainable, environmentally-friendly materials

appeared to be plausible in the production of alternative ink. This project aims to determine the

viability of using Gumamela petals and atsuete seeds as alternative sources of ink and to provide

an output that may be used in replacement for commercial ink.

The findings of this study could contribute to the development of low-cost, sustainable and

eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic inks. This may benefit anyone who utilize red-ink pens,

specifically teachers and students, as well as support for the further advance of a sustainable and

healthier ink industry. Furthermore, due to lack of studies utilizing gumamela and atusete this
study could also promote the preservation of traditional knowledge and cultural practices, as

many communities have been using natural sources of ink for centuries (Rajendran et al., 2020).

Statement of the Problem

Uses of ink encompass a wide array of areas. Writing, printing, dyeing and drawing are

among its most common ways of usage. However, upon observation, there is an apparent lack of

red-ink markers among the school’s students, as well as teachers, which both may be attributed

and related to financial or proximity restraints. Furthermore, commercial ink is typically made of

chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals, which raised concerns about its

impact in the environment.

Objective of the Study

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the viability and feasibility of gumamela and

atsuete seeds as alternative sources of red ink for markers. Specifically, the objectives of the

study are:

 Determine the color quality and intensity of the ink produced from gumamela and atsuete

seeds

 Assess the stability and durability of the ink over time

 Compare the cost-effectiveness of producing alternative ink to available ink from the

market.

 Investigate the potential environmental benefits of using natural materials for ink

production.
 To assess the following, observation and survey instruments will be used in determining the

color quality and durability of the ink. To compare the cost-effectiveness of the produced

alternative ink, the study will employ inspection of prices of synthetic ink found in the

commerce. Lastly, the study will base from related published studies concerning the

environmental impact of commercial ink, and compare it to the potential benefits that alternative

natural ink may pose to the environment.

Overall, the study seeks to provide insights into the feasibility of using gumamela and atsuete

seeds as alternative sources of ink for markers, mainly for students that are incapable financially,

with the output serving as a low-cost replacement for commercial, synthetic red ink.

Additionally, it functions as progress in the steps towards a more sustainable ink industry, in the

sense that it may stimulate other researchers and manufacturers to discover healthier and more

viable ways of producing ink.

Significance of the Study

The study seeks to determine the viability and effectiveness of using gumamela petals and

atsuete seeds as alternative sources of red ink, as well as to provide benefit and convenience to

future potential users. The output of the project may be of significance to the following:

Students. The output will help students provide red-ink markers especially those who are in

financial restraints and those who live far away from commercial districts where bookstores are

commonly found.

Teachers. The output will help teachers mend the lack of red-ink markers since some of them,

specifically those who work and leave work late at night, are not able to purchase or buy ink

from stationeries due to time constraints.

The Researchers. The project may assist the researchers to become more resourceful and find

solutions to problems of similar manner.

The Future Researchers. The research will be important for those who aspire to continue and

study similar matters by being a reference material that they may wish to utilize.

Scope and Delimitations

The study limits its coverage on the determination of viability of gumamela petals and atsuete

seeds as alternative red ink for markers. Its main purpose is to test and evaluate the

aforementioned materials’ ability to be made into alternative sources of red ink. The process will

have duration of a month, and will involve randomly-chosen students, constituting as the

participants of the study, which will evaluate the produced ink using three criteria: color, odor

and consistency. Also, the study yearns to identify the potential impacts of the product in the

basis of practicality, economic and environmental basis from the viewpoint of students and the

researchers.

With these being said, the study will not focus on the following: other complicated

methodologies of producing ink, the ability of the materials to be made into black ink or the

utilization of the ink for pens.

First, taking into consideration that students are the target audience of the study, it cited the

need for a simple and straightforward process of ink production. Second, the lack of black

pigment in the materials will not be plausible for the production of black ink. Lastly, the process

of inserting ink into a pen tube is proved to be difficult and involves advanced equipment that

average students will find to be challenging to obtain and utilize.

Definition of Terms

Alternative – The possibility of another material to be feasible or viable.

Atsuete – otherwise known as annatto seeds or Bixa orellana L. It is one of the two main

components of the study’s alternative ink.

Color – It is the visual perception of the human to light refraction. This will be used to determine

if the alternative ink has efficient or vivid colors.

Consistency – It is concerned with the viscosity of the output. This will be used to determine if

the alternative ink has attained similar or identical texture to commercial ink.

Gumamela – also known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn or simply Hibiscus. Its petals will be

used as one of the two main components of the study’s alternative ink.

Ink – A colored liquid typically used for writing.

Odor – It is the perception of scents and odors using the nose. This will be used to determine if

the alternative ink has a good scent or odor.

Hypotheses of the Study

Null Hypothesis

Gumamela petals and atsuete seeds are not viable for the production of alternative red ink.

Alternative Hypothesis

Gumamela petals and atsuete seeds are viable for the production of alternative red ink.