Ghatage S. Trupti, Killedar G. Suresh, Hajare A. Mayuri, Joshi M. Mrunalini; International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas
and Innovations in Technology.
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ISSN: 2454-132X
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(Volume3, Issue2)
Extraction, Characterization, and Utilization of Different Plant
Pigments as Ph Indicators in Titrimetric Analysis
Trupti S. Ghatage
Bharati Vidyapeeth, College of
Pharmacy, Near Chitranagari,
Kolhapur
trupti.ghatage.50@gmail.com
Suresh G. Killedar
Bharati Vidyapeeth, College of
Pharmacy, Near Chitranagari,
Kolhapur
sureshgk_64@rediffmail.com
Mayuri A. Hajare
Bharati Vidyapeeth, College of
Pharmacy, Near Chitranagari,
Kolhapur
mayuhajare6168@gmail.com
Mrunalini M. Joshi
Bharati Vidyapeeth, College of
Pharmacy, Near Chitranagari,
Kolhapur
joshimrunalini2@gmail.com
Abstract: Plant pigments are an alternative source for synthetic dyes which are generally toxic and costlier. Various plant parts
contain different color pigments chemically either anthocyanins, xanthophylls, carotenoids etc. This chemical diversity exhibits
different color reactions depends upon pH of the solution. In the present research work, an attempt has been made to understand the
sensitivity of color solutions to acidic and alkaline environment and make use of such color reactions for titrimetric analysis.In
present research work, we have selected carrot, beetroots, watermelon, sweet almond fruits, red sandal bark, hisbiscus, lantana and
calendula flowers, pomegranate seeds. The fresh parts of all the selected plants were collected in their flowering seasons from the
nearby area of Kolhapur and 5g each was macerated with ethanol: water (70:30) for 24h shaking frequently. The filtrate was
evaporated to dryness at low temp (45
0
C) and the residue obtained was subjected to pH sensitivity test of 1% w/v solutions at normal
temp using digital pH meter. The different strength solutions of each plant extracts were tested for acid-base titrations as indicators
along with commercial synthetic indicators. From the results, it was confirmed that watermelon, red sandal bark, pomegranate seeds
show sharp end points in comparison with synthetic dyes.
From the data obtained it is confirmed that natural plant pigments can serve as alternative indicators for various acid-base
titrations at laboratory scale and is possible to develop pH indicator papers which are non-toxic, economical and biodegradable
compare to synthetic dyes.
Keywords: Ph Indicators, Plant Pigments, Acid Base Titrations, Ph Sensitivity.
INTRODUCTION
Pigments produce the colors that we observe at each step of our lives because pigments are present in each one of the organisms in
the world, and plants are the principal producers. They are in leaves, fruits, vegetables, and flowers; also, they are present in skin,
eyes, and other animal structures; and in bacteria and fungi. Natural and synthetic pigments are used in medicines, foods, clothes,
furniture, cosmetics, and in other products. However, natural pigments have important functions other than the imparted beauty,
such as the following: we could not have photosynthesis or probably life all over the world without chlorophylls and carotenoids.
In animals pigments like hemoglobin or myoglobin are responsible for oxygen and carbon dioxide transport. Under stress conditions
plants show the synthesis of flavonoids; the quinones are very important in the conversion of light into chemical energy. The
melanins act as a protective screen in humans and other vertebrates, and in some fungi, melanins are essential for their vital cycle;
a lot of pigments have a well-known pharmacological activity in sicknesses such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and this has
stressed pigment importance for human beings.
1,2,3,4,5,
Additionally, since time immemorial human beings have associated product qualities with their colors, this is especially true for
sweets, confectionary items and most meals. Historically, at the beginning of the food industry consumers did not take care of the
kind of pigments used in food coloring (natural or synthetic), but recently people have shown their phobia to synthetic pigments
when the concepts “synthetic pigments” and “illness” were associated, and when the attributed pharmacological benefits of nat ural
pigments came into consideration. However, the natural pigments that are permitted for human foods are very limited, and the
approval of new sources is difficult because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the pigments as additives, and
consequently pigments are under strict regulations.
6,7,8
Thus, an adequate understanding of the actual sources of pigments will contribute to their better use. At this time, it must be
emphasized the ubiquity of pigments in living organisms (plants, fungi, bacteria, among others), the variety of chemical structures,
and the large quantity of information generated for each pigment group. Consequently, we are focusing more on plant based