PH LEVEL OF SHAMPOOS USING NATURAL

ACID-BASE INDICATOR

Abstract:

The study focuses on testing the effectiveness of the mayana leaves extract is
as a natural alternative pH indicator, in terms of its color formation from yellow
orange to pinkish and bluish when the shampoo were added. The plants were picked
in Naga Central School II surroundings, the mixing bowls from our home and the
shampoo were bought in the nearby sari-sari store.

The experiment lasted for two hours that include the boiling of mayana leaves
and the observation process during the experimentation. The color of mayana leaves
extract was yellow orange when added by the shampoos the color changed. The
indicators were when the extract became pinkish the pH level is below 7 and it is
called base; bluish where in the pH level more than 7 it is called acidic and if the pH
level is 7 it is said to be neutral and it will not change the color of the mayana extract.
Some shampoos were became pinkish such as hanna, vaseline, sunsilk, pantene and
rejoice and the bluish are palmolive, clear and dove and the neutral colors are gard
and head shoulder.
 Chapter I

1. Introduction

Hair is important in our human body to keep us warm. The hair found
on head serves primarily the source of heat insulation and cooling as well as
protection from ultra violet radiation exposure. Another thing, hair is probably
one of the first things you notice about people when meeting them for the first
time. This is especially true for girls. Beautiful and shiny hair always leaves
good impression, which is why proper hair care is important.
Taking care of our hair plays an important part of having a healthy
hair and helps to avoid damage that can lead to hair loss. Regular washing
with the commercialized shampoos and conditioners may cause to damage our
hair. However, in today’s generation the easiest way to get our hair wash by
using these shampoos because it is available and easy to apply, the best thing
that we can do is to use the appropriate shampoo that is less harmful into our
hair.
In this study will find out the neutral acid of the shampoo or the
tolerable level of acidity that we were using to avoid damage hair by using the
natural acid base indicator.

2. Statement of the Problem

This investigatory research will look in the PH Level of Shampoos

Using the Natural Acid-Base Indicator; specifically this will answer the
following questions:
a. What is the effect of acid in our body especially in our hair by
using the commercialized shampoos?
b. What natural resources available in our school can be used to
determine the PH level of the shampoos available in the market?
c. What are the indicators that will determine the degree of acidity of
shampoos?
 d. What is the tolerable level of acidity in commercialized shampoo
that we use that will not damage the hair?

3. Significance of the Study

This study is seemed to be important in our family, in the community

and to the students of Naga Central School II.
Students – to develop the awareness of acidity level of hair care
products or shampoos that they are using on a daily basis. Further, to prevent
any damage of their hair especially their too young to suffer from hair loss.
Parents – for them to become aware of what shampoos or the products
they will give to their kids’ and for themselves also.
Consumers – this will be a great help for the consumer to decide what
product they are going to buy for their personal consumptions. They will not
just base their decisions on the advertisement the saw in the television instead
based on this experiment.
Producers – this study will give feedback for the producers to lessen
the chemicals that they’re using in the shampoos to meet the tolerable acidity
that will not harm their consumers especially the kids like us.

4. Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study will mainly focus on the testing of PH Level of Shampoos

Using the Natural Base Indicator that is available in our school which mayana
leaves. This investigative research wants to generate, present and analyze the
data that will help us to evaluate the level acidity of 8 brands of shampoo. The
experiment will last only for 2 hours that includes the boiling of mayana
leaves, distribution of mayana extract in each container and putting the amount
of shampoo in each container per brand.

5. Definition of Terms

The following term will define for the understanding of the readers of
this investigative report.
 PH Level – This refers to the measurements of acidity or alkalinity of
water soluble substances PH stand for potential of Hydrogen. A pH value is a
number from 1-14 with 7 as the middle or neutral point.
Shampoo – this is a hair care product, typically in the form of a
viscous liquid that is used for cleaning hair. Less commonly, shampoo is
available in bar form, like a bar of soap. Shampoo is used by applying it to wet
hair, massaging the product into the hair, and then rinsing it out.
Acid-Base – This refers to the Lewis theory classifies a substance as
an acid if it acts as an electron-pair acceptor and as a base if it acts as an
electron-pair donor. Other ways of classifying substances as acids or bases are
the Arrhenius concept and the Bronsted-Lowry concept.
Natural – it means the existing in or derived from nature; not made or
caused by humankind or circumstances surrounding, someone or something.
Indicators – These are substances whose solutions change color due to
changes in pH. These are called acid-base indicators. They are usually weak
acids or bases, but their conjugate base or acid forms have different colors due
to differences in their absorption spectra.
Acidity Level– This refers to the lower numbers are considered
more acidic and the higher numbers are alkaline. The amount of hydrogen in a
solution determines whether it is more acidic or alkaline. The higher the pH
level the harsher the shampoo is on your hair. The best pH
level for shampoo is between 5 and 7.
Students – this refers to is a learner or someone who attends an
educational institution.
Parents – these are the mothers, fathers, step-parents, and
grandparents. A mother is, "a woman in relation to a child or children to
whom she has given birth. The extent to which it is socially acceptable for a
parent to be involved in their offspring's life varies from culture to culture.
Consumers – This refers to a person who purchases goods and
services for personal use. A person uses something for personal consumptions.
Producers – This refers to a person, company, or country that makes,
grows, or supplies goods or commodities for sale.
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents the literature and studies that is relevant to the present
study. The books, journals, other printed and unpublished materials, including the internet
sites, in which provide the researchers the perspective and knowledge in the conduct of
investigative research about the PH Level of Shampoos using Natural Acid-Base Indicator.

Acid, Bases, and pH Indicators

According to Teacher’s Stuff published in abc.net.au, the pH scale ranges from 1 to

14. A chemical with a pH of 7 is neutral – it is neither and acid or a base. The nomenclature
pH means “the potential of hydrogen” and refers to the ability of a chemical to donate or
accept hydrogen ions to other chemicals. Acids donate hydrogen ions while bases can accept
them.
Acids are chemicals with a pH less than 7. The word “acid” comes from the Latin
acidus meaning “sour” because acids generally have a sour taste. Some acids such as
sulfuring and nitric acid are particularly strong and can severely burn skin while other acids
are much weaker and safer. Most of the foods humans eat are acidic.
A base is a chemical with a pH greater than 7. Bases generally have a bitter taste and
a slimy or soapy feel to the skin (this sensation is very noticeable in laundry powders). Bases
react violently with acids – even weak acids and bases such as acetic acid (vinegar) and
sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) fizz violently to release carbon dioxide gas yet both are
safe to consume.
Acids and bases react with each other to produce a salt and water (there are many
types of salts of which sodium chloride which is common table salt is just one).
pH indicators (acid-base indicators) are chemicals which change colour in the presence of an
acid or a base. The change is reversible. Adding an acid or base to water decreases or
increases the solution’s pH and the indicator colour will change accordingly.
 Lysis (Livestrong.com, 2017) Acids and bases are chemical substances that release
ions when dissolved in water. Acids are compounds that release positive hydrogen ions in
water. Bases release hydroxide ions, which are compounds made of oxygen and hydrogen.
Acids and bases are use1d around the house for cleaning, but the levels of acids and bases in
the body are also important. The body needs a neutral pH and controls the amounts of acids
and bases through processes involving the kidneys, lungs and blood. Acids and bases
function to balance the pH levels in the body. Acids and bases are found in foods, the
environment and in chemicals including pharmaceuticals. The pH levels in the blood are
required to stay neutral, which is at a level of 7. When a dieter eats acidic foods, the body
uses a buffering system to neutralize the positive ions released from the acids. Conversely,
bases are also controlled to keep the body from becoming too alkaline.

Lysis (Livestrong.com, 2017), according to the journal, pH used to measure the

amount of hydrogen protons in a substance and the strength of an acid. Strong acids are used
in laboratories and cleaning solutions. A strong acid releases more ions in water than weaker
acid, giving it low pH level. A small pH number means more ions are dissolved in the
solution. A higher pH number means the solution is more basic, and fewer hydrogen protons
are available in the fluid. Because strong acids and bases are dangerous, most household
items are diluted. A pH of 2 is a strong acid and the approximate pH level found in the
stomach. The stomach acid helps the breakdown of foods in the body for absorption in the
intestines.

In the journal written by Crumly (Livestrong.com, 2017) the shampoo you choose can
make a difference in the health and appearance of your hair. The pH balance of your hair and
skin is about 5, or slightly acidic. Shampoos can be either acidic or alkaline; a shampoo that
advertises itself as being “pH balanced” should be slightly acidic. For the healthiest hair,
choose a pH-balanced shampoo. The outer part of your hair is called the cuticle. It is made up
of overlapping scales, like the tiles or shingles on your roof. Alkaline products cause these
cuticle scales to open, exposing the interior of the hair shaft, called the cortex. Plain water is
alkaline enough to open the cuticle of the hair; an alkaline shampoo opens the cuticle even
more. You need a slightly acidic shampoo to close the cuticle of your hair and return it to its
natural state. Moisture in the cortex of your hair shaft helps keep your hair flexible. When
you use an acid-balanced shampoo to keep the cuticle closed, your hair will remain flexible.
If that moisture escapes, your hair will become dry, look dull, and tend to develop split ends
and other signs of damage. A pH-balanced shampoo can help prevent this kind of damage to
your hair.

A pH-balanced shampoo can help you keep your permanent hair color looking fresher
longer. The cells that give your hair its color reside in the cortex of your hair. When you
permanently color your hair, you have to open the cuticle to get to the color-containing cells.
Once the color has been changed, you want to close the cuticle to seal the color inside,
keeping your new color vibrant and helping it last longer.

The scalp produces oil that helps keep your hair shiny and protected. This oil has an
acidic pH. Most shampoos contain detergents that bond with the oil and allow it to be washed
away. An improperly balanced shampoo, however, will strip away too much of your hair's
natural oils. The scalp will then overproduce oil to compensate, making your hair oily and
causing it to get dirtier faster. Choose a pH-balanced shampoo to help keep the hair looking
cleaner longer.

Natural Acid-Base Indicators

Garge (2013) in his article about using plant extract as acid indicators he uses various
plants in his study because he believes that plants flower attracts the insects for pollination.
Thus flowers are miracle wonder of the nature, by the god, for the world. The Synthetic
compounds are highly polluting, harmful, hazardous and much more costly for research work
as well as analytical work, so various researches are going on in this field of natural products
extensively as they are less hazardous, low cost, easily available, and eco-friendly. The
chemical substances which possess an apparent change in color of analyte and titrant reacting
mixture very close to the point in the ongoing titration known as indicator, which helps to
examine and determine the equivalence point in acid–base titrations (neutralization
titrations). Natural dyes and pigments in plants are highly colored substances and may show
color changes with variation of pH, the highly colored pigments resulted from herbal plants
are found to exhibit color changes with variation of pH. The indicators which are used in
titrations show well-marked color changes in certain intervals of pH, Most of these indicators
are organic dyes and are of synthetic origins but due to environmental pollution, availability
and cost, the search for natural compounds as an acid-base indicator was started. Acid Base
Indicators and Mechanism A acid base (pH) indicators are halo chromic chemical agents
which are added in small amounts to a solution to determine the pH (acidity or basicity) of
the solution visually and change the color with variation in pH, Hence a pH indicator is a
chemical detector for hydronium ions (H3o+) or hydrogen ions (H+) in the Arrhenius model.
Usually the indicators are weak acids or bases which form ions by dissociating slightly, when
dissolved in water. Consider an indicator which is a weak acid, with the formula Hin. At
equilibrium, the following equilibrium equation is established with its conjugate base: The
acid and its conjugate base have different colors. At low ph values the concentration of H3o+
is high and so the equilibrium position lies to the left. The equilibrium solution has the color
A. At high pH values, the concentration of H3o+ is low, the equilibrium position thus lies to
the right and the equilibrium solution has color B. A universal indicator is a mixture of
indicators which give a gradual change in color over a wide pH range, the pH of a solution
can be approximately identified when a few drops of universal indicator are mixed with the
solution. Indicators are used in titration solutions to signal the completion of the acid-base
reaction.

There are various plants which show good acid base indicator activity against various
synthetic pH indicators. Some of these are as follows:

1. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) Sidana J et al. (2011) evaluated snapdragon for

its acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein as standard indicator. The
macerated methanolic petals extract of flowers used and it shows pink color at
end point.
2. Cotton Trees (Bombax malabaricum) Patrakar R et al. (2010) determined, cotton
tress for its acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein and methyl red as
standard indicator. The extracted methanolic hydrochloric acid petals extract of
flowers used and it shows green to colorless appearance at end point.
3. Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma) Kurmi B D et al. (2011) and A Vyas et
al. (2012) examined Butea monosperma for its acid base indicator activity against
phenolphthalein, methyl red and methyl orange as standard indicator. The
macerated ethanolic petals extract of flowers used and it shows colorless to
yellow for strong acid v/s strong base, weak acid v/s weak base and weak acid v/s
strong base while it turns yellow to colorless for strong acid and weak base
appearance at end point.
4. English Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Vyas A et al. (2012) evaluated
English marigold for its acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein and
methyl red as standard indicator. The macerated ethanolic petals extract of
 flowers used and it shows colorless to yellow for strong acid v/s strong base,
weak acid v/s weak base and weak acid v/s strong base while it turns yellow to
colorless for strong acid and weak base appearance at end point.
5. Slow Match Tree (Careya arborea) Wadkar K A et al. (2008) reported slow
match tree for its acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein as standard
indicator. The macerated methanolic leaves extract of plant used and it shows
yellow to reddish brown appearance at end point.
6. Dahlia pinnata (Asteraceae) Sharma P et al. (2013) and Jain P et al. (2012)
examined Dahlia pinnata for its acid base indicator activity against
phenolphthalein, methyl orange [1, 14] and phenol red as standard indicator. The
macerated hydro alcoholic 40:60 Aq. and methanolic [1] petals extract of flowers
used and it shows colorless to yellow for strong acid v/s strong base, weak acid
v/s strong base while it turns yellow to colorless for weak base with strong acid
and weak acid and weak base titration within pH range 3-5 against methyl orange
(ethanolic extract). Methanolic and aq. Extract possesses orange to wine red, pink
to red yellow and orange to yellow color at end point.
7. Sunflower (Helianthus annus) Patil S B et al. (2009) evaluated the sunflower for
its acid base indicator activity against standard indicator. The macerated
methanolic petals extract of flowers used and it shows Faint blue to faint yellow
appearance at end point.
8. Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) Jain P et al. (2012) identified and
determined gumamela for its acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein,
methyl orange and henol red as standard indicator. The macerated methanolic
and aqueous petals extract of flowers used and it shows colorless to yellow for
strong acid v/s strong base, weak acid v/s weak base and weak acid v/s strong
base while it turns Pink to greenish yellow appearance at end point.
9. Beach morning glory (Ipomoea biloba)) Abbas S K (2012) examined beach
morning glory for its acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein as
standard indicator. The macerated aqueous petals extract of flowers used and it
shows bright red, light red, pale red and dark green appearance at end point
respectively.
10. Santal (Ixora coccine) Deshpande A et al. (2010) evaluated The flower extract of
santal a for its use as an acid base indicator in various acid base titrations, and
reported results of this screening compared with the results obtained by standard
 indicators methyl orange, mixed indicator [methyl orange: bromocresol green
(0.1:0.2)] for strong acid v/s strong base (HCl and NaOH), Strong acid v/s weak
base (HCl and NH4OH), weak acid v/s strong base (Oxalic acid and NaOH), and
weak acid v/s weak base (Oxalic acid and NH4OH) titrations green to pink and
blue to pink color.

According to Dori Siraly (2013) in her study entitled “Utilization of Mayana Leaf
(Coleus blumei benth) as an alternative pH Indicator depending on its color spectra.”
Acid-base indicators (also known as pH indicator) is a substance that indicates the degree of
acidity and basicity of a solution through its characteristic of changing the solutions initial
color. Acids taste sour, are corrosive to metals, change litmus paper (a dye extracted from
lichens) to red and become less acidic when mixed with bases. Bases feel slippery when
touched, change litmus paper to blue and become less basic when mixed with acids pH
indicator is a halochromic chemical compound that is added in small amounts to a solution so
that the pH (acidity or basicity) of the solution can be determined visually. Hence a pH
indicator is a chemical detector for hydronium ions (H3O+) or hydrogen ions (H+) in the
Arrhenius model. Normally, the indicator causes the color of the solution to change
depending on the pH. Scientists use something called the pH scale to measure how acidic or
basic a liquid is.
 Chapter III

Methodology

1. The Subject of the Study

The study is about the determination of PH Level of contain in each

brand of shampoo using the natural acid base. The materials that the
researchers will use are mayana leaves and various brand of shampoo namely:
hana, gard, pantene, palmolive, clear, vaseline, dove, rejoice.

2. The Problem

The shampoo is a cleaning aid for the hair and maintaining the
smoothness. However there are ingredients in the shampoo that have a bad
effect in our hair because of chemical reaction. So it’s very important to know
and understand the acid level contain in the shampoos that we use in our daily
life. The researchers will determine the pH level of the shampoos whether it’s
acid or base.

3. Research Design
The researchers will conduct an experiment for their investigative
research by using natural indicator solution, they will gather mayana leaves.
The experiment is design as fun, inquiry base study of indicators using natural
product that is available in our school the mayana leaves. The experiment will
last for 2 hours to allow more time for measuring the extract of mayana leaves
and the amount of shampoo that will put in the container with mayana extract.
 After the distribution of each brand of shampoo in the container, the
researchers will observe the changes of color in mayana extract. The design of
this research is that the mayana extract will change its color into pink if it is
base or neutral and will change its color into blue if it is acidic.

The researchers will make a data table to record the results of each
container if it is pinkish or bluish. This will help them to make a summary,
conclusion and recommendation for each brand of shampoo.

Chapter IV

1. Presentation of data, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

The following are the procedures in the conduct of experiment in

determining the pH Level of different brand of shampoos using mayana
leaves extract.
  We gathered mayana leaves
for our experiment.
 Boil for 5-10 minutes.

 We put it in the mixing

bowls, with an equal amount
of mayana extract of 3
teaspoon each.

 In a different mixing bowl

we assigned a different brand
of shampoo which are:
Hanna, Gard , and Palmolive

 In another set of bowls we

assigned the different brands
of shampoos which are:
Dove, Clear, and Pantene

 We putted the different

brands of shampoos in the
different containers

 We putted the assigned

shampoos in the different
containers

 We mixed it to see if it is an
acid or base.

2. Results
Below is the tabular form to show the result of the experiment conducted by
the researchers.

Brand of Shampoo Pinkish Bluish Neutral

(Base) (Acid)
Gard 
Hanna 
 Rejoice 
Head and Shoulder 
Sunsilk 
Palmolive 
Vaseline 
Clear 
Pantene 
Dove 

Chapter V

1. Summary
The result of the experiment conducted using the mayana leave extract
used as acid-base indicator. The color of the extract was yellow orange but
when the shampoo was added the color was changed to light pink, blue and
there are brand of shampoo remain the same. The hanna, rejoice, sunsilk,
vaseline and pantene when added to mayana extract became color pink from
yellow-orange. The palmolive, clear, and dove when added became color blue
 the mayana leaves extract. However, gard and head and shoulder when added
to mayana leaves extract the color didn’t change.

2. Conclusion
Most of the people don’t know that shampoos have varying levels of
acidity that can affect the health of our hair. It also doesn’t help that many
shampoo didn’t indicate the pH level at the back of bottles. To protect our hair
and prevent from any damage the pH level of shampoo that we should use are
neutral and base where in the experiment conducted the brand of shampoo that
is neutral are gard and head and shoulder and the shampoos that contain a base
level are hanna, rejoice, sunsilk, vaseline and pantene.

3. Recommendation

Based from the result of the experiment the researchers recommend to

use the base and neutral pH level of shampoo to protect our hair from any
damage. We should choose a pH balance shampoo will help to keep our hair
looking cleaner and longer. Improper use of shampoo will strip away too
much of our hair natural oils, the scalp will overproduce oil to replace the
natural oil of shampoo and will make our hair oily that will became our hair
getting dirt easily. So, we recommend the use of non-acidic shampoos.

References:

1. Jennifer Rounds, Why PH Level in your Shampoo Important in your Healthy

Hair.

2. Stephanie Crumly Hill, July 18, 2017 , https://www.livestrong.com/article,

Need pH Balanced Shampoo

3. Ashish Garg https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301200786 Plant

Extracts As Acid Base Indicator: An Overview.
4. Plant extracts as acid base indicator: A vailable from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301200786_Plant_extracts_as_acid_
base_indicator_an_overview [accessed Jul 27 2018].
5. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/references/acids-bases-
the-ph-scale
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shampoohttps://en.oxforddictionaries.com/defini
tion/natural
7. Chemistry Libre Texts Project -https://chem.libretexts.org

SCIENCE INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT REPORT
 pH Level of Shampoos Using Natural Acid-Base
Indicator

___________________________________________________________________________

Submitted to:

SHEENALYN S. BRIONES
Teacher

Researchers:
LEGAZPI, Clark Anthone A.
NACARIO, Jay Emmanuel A.
TARROBAGO, Sean Paolo F.
BUENA, Princess Jilian
DOMINGUEZ, Aishelle Faye C.
ENCISO, Maria Kristina R.
FRANCISCO, Chrystalle Bhea P.
MAYOR, Chanelle Angela Marie E.
OSEA, Bianca Margarette P.