Ink from Alugbati (Basella rubra Linn) Fruits I.
Abstract Alugbati, known in the U.S. as Malabar spinach, is commonly grown for its soft, spinach-like leaves and shoots. Alugbati is of African and East Asian origin. The juice of the fruits was reportedly used in ancient China as ink for official seals. Today, the fruits of the red-stemmed alugbati variety can be used to make ink. As of May 2010, the government of the Philippines is researching commercial production of ink extracted from the alugbati fruits. The fruits of the alugbati were used as the main and raw material to produce varied types of ink such as writing ink, stamping ink and pentel ink for better quality. The fruits when squeezed appeared as syrup-like black substances, and characterized with permanent staining solutions through the process of pressing, filtration, boiling and cooling and when subsequently mixed with salt, vinegar, denatured alcohol and iodine, the product had 100% absorption and affinity for ink of varied types.
II.
Acknowledgements This investigatory project would not have been completed without the support, encouragement, inputs, and inspiration from various people and agencies. In behalf of our, we would like to thank the following sponsor:
parents Mr.Anthony and Mrs.Rowena Amores for their untiring
confidence and support sister Roan, for her cheerfulness and antics that provided welcome respite from project (although I mostly apologize for missing precious
III.
moments) parents of John Paul Abalos for allowing us to have an alugbati project Mercury Drugstore for guiding me in buying iodine tincture National Bookstore for the source of materials for our Background to
be used in exhibit. Ms. Heide Sanchez, for encouraging our section to have an
investigatory project like this; God, for letting us finish the work completely and neatly
Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study 1.2 Statement of the Problem/Objectives 1.2.1 General Objective 1.2.2 Specific Adjective’ 1.3 Significance of the Study 1.4 Scope and Limitations
1
1.5 Review of Related Literature Chapter 2. Methodology
3
2.1 Materials/Equipments 2.2 Treatment/ General Procedure Chapter 3. Results and Discussion III.1 III.2
4
Findings Analysis of Data
Chapter 4. Conclusions
5
Chapter 5. Recommendations Chapter 6. Bibliography
IV.
Introduction A. Background of the Study The process of producing varied types of ink from extracted juice of alugbati fruits can foresee a cheaper and good quality product. The raw materials used belong to the herbaceous vine family which is abundant throughout the country and an all-time season herb. Utilizing extracted juice of alugbati fruits including decomposed banana sap in the production of writing ink, stamping and pentel pen ink is very feasible for community development. B. Statement of the Problem/Objectives 1. General Objective Demonstrate how the straining quality of the alugbati fruit can be used to advantage. 2. Specific Objective Make ink out of extracted juice of alugbati fruits.
C. Significance of the Study Characterized as stable and permanent and hastened drying up as a special qualification, this product can be compared with any commercial ink for home, school and office use. Alugbati fruits are abundant throughout the country and itcan become a source of livelihood in the community. 1 D. Scope and Limitations The study focuses on the use of extracted juice of alugbati fruits. The trial and error method used in the experiment prolonged the completion of the work to more than a week. Tests conducted include boiling and adding of denatured alcohol. E. Review of Related Literature The matured sap of banana was also studied and was used as the main material in manufacturing various kinds of ink. Through pressing, filtration, centrifugation and mixing, the product had 100% absorption and affinity for ink.
2 V. Methodology
A. Materials/Equipment
1 cup ripe alugbati fruits (the violet variety) 1/ 4 cup iodine
a pinch of salt 1 tbsp denatured alcohol 1 tbsp vinegar clean glass container
B. Treatment/General Procedure 1. Pick the alugbati fruits at full ripeness, when it is round, plump and dark purple in color. You will need about three cups of fruit to produce one cup of juice. 2. Wash and drain one cup ripe alugbati fruits. 3. Pound lightly. 4. After the fruits are pounded, place in clean muslin bag and extract juice. 5. Put the juice in a clean glass container and mix with
1/4
cup
iodine, a pinch of salt and 1 tbsp vinegar. 6. Boil the mixture for 2 minutes, and stand to cool. 7. When cooled, add1 tbsp denatured alcohol. The ink is now ready for use.
3 VI.
Results and Discussions A. Findings Comparative Study of Description of Result Using Different Trials in Making Ink out of the Given Mixtures
Trial 1 Trial st
2nd Trial
Mixture 1/2 cup of pure alugbati fruit Extract 1/2 cup extract 1 pinch salt 1 tbsp vinegar
3rd Trial Same as in 2nd trial, plus 1/4
Procedure Using a pen write
Description of Result Writing appeared purplish-maroon;
with the mixture.
blots on the paper; light.
Using a pen and
Print only Writing has the same color as the 1st
paper, write with the mixture. Do-
1 tbsp denatured alcohol
permanent Color of writing is black: much darker than in the 1st and 2nd trials; still blots;
cup iodine
4th Trial Same as in 3rd trial, plus
trial; still blots on paper: color is more
no discoloration after sometime Boil mixture in 3rd
Writing is black and darker; blotting is
trial before adding
minimized; discoloration is prevented
alcohol B. Analysis of data The solution appears reddish-black when tried with a pen. The pen writes smoothly with the black alugbati ink. Its appearance and application is very similar to that of commercial ink. The dominant smell is that of the denatured alcohol in the solution. When tried on a stamp pad, the pad has to absorb much of the solution first before the rubber stamp would register clearly with a darker print on the page. For the stamp pad ink, the product of the 2 nd trial may well
VII.
be utilized; its color is purplish-maroon. 4 Conclusions Native agro-waste material such as alugbati fruits can be a potential source of ink which can be used for home, school and office. Agro-waste materials converted into a functional writing material can meet the demand for accessible and cheaper source of ink.
VIII.
Recommendations
Further studies on the subject should be conducted. Since the output can easily be reproduced. It is recommended that science-related clubs and schools support and help in the implementation aspect.
IX.
Bibliography
Journal Mendoza, G.”Ink from Alugbati Fruits” Science Discoverer Intermediate Edition 4, Vol. 5 No.2 (2005) Websites http://www.filipinohrbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com http://gonatural.com.ph http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/requirements.htm http://freesciencefair.com http://www.investigatoryprojectexample.com/science-projects/
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Science Investigatory Project
Alugbati (Basella rubra Linn) Fruits as ink-all-you can Name:
Herald Anthony L. Amores John Paul Abalos Emmanuel Adap Jovel Advincula Daryl Jun Alipio
Subject/Section: NSCI111B-3B Instructor: Mrs. Heide Sanchez
