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International Journal of Natural Products Research

Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved

ISSN: 2249-0353
Original Article
Acalypha wilkesiana as Natural pH Indicator
Savita H. Bhise1*, Namdeo G. Shinde1, Bhagyashree S. Surve1, Nayana V. Pimpodkar2, Sanobar S. Shikalgar3
1
Department of Pharmaceutics, Satara College of Pharmacy, Degaon, Satara, Shivaji University,
Kolhapur (MH) India- 415 004.
2
Principal, College of Pharmacy (D. Pharm) Degaon, Satara (Maharashtra) India- 415 004.
3
Satara College of Pharmacy, Degaon, Satara, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (MH) India- 415 004.
Received 07 March 2014; Accepted 24 March 2014
Abstract
An acid base indicator is a substance that changes color as the pH of a solution changes. There are hundreds of different
acid base indicators, many of which can be extracted from common plants. Every indicator exhibits a different range of
colors at different pH values. Many more chemical indicators are used in acid base titration but they are slightly expensive
and are unavailable so attempt is made to prepare natural indicator from plant parts. As these plants are very common and
easily available, hence indicator obtained from them will be economical. Present research work highlights use of Acalypha
wilkesiana leaves extract as an acid base indicator in different type of acid base titrations. The equivalence point obtained
by plant species extract matched with equivalence point obtained by standard indicators.
2014 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved
Key words-:- Acalypha wilkesiana, acid base indicator, natural indicator, acid base titration.
INTRODUCTION:
Indicators are dyes or pigments that can be
isolated from a variety of sources, including plants, fungi,
and algae. Almost any flower, for example, that is red,
blue, or purple in color contains a class of organic pigments
called anthocyanin that change color with pH. The use of a
natural dyes as acid-base indicators was first reported in
1664 by Sir Robert Boyle in his collection of essays
Experimental History of Colors. Indeed, Boyle made an
important contribution to the early theory of acids and
bases by using indicators for the experimental classification
of these substances. The idea, however, may actually have
originated much earlier-medieval painter used natural dyes
treated with vinegar and limewater to make water
colorants2.
We know the color changes that we see in the
nature all around us. We also notice the color changes in
iced tea when lemon juice is added. In the study of acid
base chemistry, we use litmus paper to indicate if a solution
is acidic, basic, or neutral based on the color changes. The
substances in plant products such as tea, red cabbage or
grapes react with acids (or bases), resulting in changes at
the molecular level which causes their colors to be different
at different pH levels. All pH indicators, such as litmus
paper, change colors depending upon whether they donate
or accept protons, (acids are proton donors and bases are
proton acceptors). Therefore, pH indicators are themselves
acids or bases. Indicators work because they are weak acids

33

which, when in solution, exist in equilibrium with their

conjugate base. The acid and its conjugate base each have
different colors, and as the equilibrium shifts from one
direction to the other, the color of the indicator solution
changes. Some indicators exhibit only two colors and some
exhibit a wide range. Each indicator must be individually
studied to determine its behavior as a function of pH.
Acid base titration is the determination of the
concentration of an acid or base by exactly neutralizing the
acid or base with an acid or base of known concentration.
This allows for quantitative analysis of the concentration of
unknown acid or base solution. Acid base titrations are
used to signal the end of acid base titrations. Synthetic
indicators have certain disadvantages like high cost,
availability and chemical pollution hence natural indicators
obtained from varies plant parts like flowers, fruits, leaves
etc. will be more advantageous1.
Economic use of the pigments of some common
flowers as acid/alkali indicators have been shown by using
common flowers like Hibiscus rosa sinensis, Ipomoea
fistulosa and Clitoria turnetea contain various anthocyanin
pigments in the form of purple-red, violet, and blue
colors, resp.
Acalypha wilkesiana leaves
Common name: Copper leaf
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Chemical Constituents: Alcohols, Esters, Ketones,
Terpenes and hydrocarbons

International Journal of Natural Products Research 2014; 4(1): 33-35

Use: To treat fungal skin diseases

Wilkesiana is evergreen shrub. The stem is erect
with many branches having fine hairs. The leaves are
coppery green with red splashes of color and hairy one. The
principle constituents are 15,16-poxylabda-13 (16 %), 14dien-8a-ol (12.75 %), 8,14-Cedranoxide (12.19 %),
Curcumin (10.14 %), 1-Heexandecene (8.37 %), Ethyl
vanillin (6.87 %) while other constituents are present in
trace amount.

Table 2: Experimental screening of Acalypha wilkesiana

leaves
Titration

Strength
0.1

HCl
Vs
NaOH

0.5
1
5
0.1

HCl
Vs
NH4OH

0.5
1
5
0.1

Figure 1: Acalypha wilkesiana leaves

MATERIAL AND METHOD:
Plant materials: The fresh flower species were collected
and authenticated from department of Botany, YC College
of Science and Engineering, Satara. Collected leaves of
Acalypha wilkesiana cleaned with water and cut into very
small pieces by chopping blender. The juice is stained off
from the resulting mush also extracted with water to yield
more pigment. Finally solution is filtered to remove
remaining plant matter and used as natural indicator.
Chemicals: Conc. HCl, sodium hydroxide, ammonia,
acetic acid, phenolphthalein, mixed indicator, methyl red
indicator, ammonium hydroxide. All analytical grade
reagents were made available by Satara College of
Pharmacy, Satara.
Glasswares: pH paper, conical flask, burettes, pipettes,
test tubes etc.

Figure 2: General procedure

Table 1: Screening of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves
Titrant

Titrand

HCl

NaOH

HCl

NH3

CH3COOH

NaOH

CH3COOH

NH3

Indicator colour change (pH range)

Standard
Leaves extract
Green to Pink
Pink to Green
(4-6)
(4.5-7)
Pink to Colorless
Green to Violet
(6.6-8)
(3-5)
Green to Pink
Pink to Green
(4.5-6)
(4.2-5.5)
Pink to Colorless
Green to Violet
(4-6)
(4.6-6)

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The plant leaves extract was screened for its use as an acid
base indicator in acid base titration and results of this
screening was compared with the results obtained by
standard indicators such as methyl red, phenolphthalein and
mixed indicator for strong acid-strong base (HCl
and NaOH), strong acid-weak base (HCl and NH4OH) and

34

CH3COOH
Vs
NaOH

0.5
1
5
0.1

CH3COOH
Vs
NH4OH

0.5
1
5

Indicator
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Phenolphthalein
Leaves extract
Phenolphthalein
Leaves extract
Phenolphthalein
Leaves extract
Phenolphthalein
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract
Methyl red
Leaves extract

Rhoeo syathacea
Mean SD (n=3)
16.160.28
16.460.25
08.70.34
08.80.15
07.90.36
07.70.4
08.20.05
08.30.10
43.00.15
45.360.55
36.430.50
35.730.46
22.330.50
23.000.28
18.400.11
18.200.36
04.360.40
04.460.35
02.630.05
02.60.05
02.230.25
02.400.02
02.800.10
02.800.05
14.060.15
13.930.09
16.230.25
16.230.15
08.760.25
08.460.2
14.900.10
15.000.30

weak acid-strong base (CH3COOH and NaOH) and weak

acid-weak base (CH3COOH and NH4OH) titrations. For all
titrations, the equivalence point obtained by respective
natural indicator matched with the equivalence points
obtained by standard indicators.
CONCLUSION
The Acalypha wilkesiana leaves extract is beneficial for
weak acid and weak base titration as it involves use of
mixed indicator, while these extracts can be used alone in
such titrations. The natural indicators are found to be very
useful, economical, simple and accurate for these titrations.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The authors express their sense of gratitude towards
management of Satara College of Pharmacy, Degaon,
Satara for providing all obligatory facilities necessary to
carry out present research work.
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Source of support: Nil; Conflict of interest: None declared

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International Journal of Natural Products Research 2014; 4(1): 33-35