KEREN PUBLIC SCHOOL

CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Aim:- To detect ions present in different samples of toothpaste

Made by : Abishek.P
Class : XII A
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Abishek.P of class XII has successfully completed his
investigatory project on the topic “Identification of Ions Present In
Toothpaste And Determine the Quality” during academic year 2021-2022,
as per the guidelinesissued by the central board of secondary education
(CBSE).
This project is absolutely genuine and does not indulge in plagiarism of

any kind.The references taken in making this project have been mentioned

at this project.

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

PRINCIPAL
 Acknowledgement
In the progression of completing this project successfully, many people have
bestowed upon us their blessings and concrete support. We would like to
thank all the people who have been concerned with this project.
Primarily, we would like to thank our senior principal Mrs. Joy Rajan and our
Chemistry teacher, Mrs. shanthi and express our earnest gratitude for their
imperative support, supervision and encouragement without the aid of which
this project would not have come into view.
Additionally, we would like express a heartfelt thanks to the staff of the
Department of Chemistry for their perpetual support during the making of
this project.

Last but not the least we thank our benevolent friends and parents for their
persistent backing without which we could not have overcome the
impediments in the assembly of this project.
 CONTENTS

S. NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

1. Aim 5
2. Apparatus Required 5
3. Chemicals Required 5
4. Introduction 6
5. Ingredients 6
6. Types of Toothpastes 7
7. History of Toothpastes 8
8. Evolution of Toothpastes 9
9. Colgate Max White 10
10. Sensodyne 12
11. Colgate Total 14
12. Colgate Herbal 17
13. Result 19
14. Conclusion 20
15. Bibliography 21
 AIM
To find out the acid and basic radicals (anions and cations)
present in four different samples of toothpastes.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
• Beakers
• Test tubes
• Glass rod
• Spirit lamp
CHEMICALS REQUIRED
• Dilute hydrochloric acid
• Concentrated hydrochloric acid
• Barium chloride solution
• Concentrated nitric acid
• Ammonium molybdate
• Magnesium sulphate solution
• Magnesia mixture
• Sodium hydroxide
• Sodium sulphide
• Ammonium chloride
• Ammonium hydroxide
• Ammonium carbonate
• Disodium hydrogen phosphate
• Potassium chromate
• Ammonium sulphate
• Ammonium oxalate
• Ammonium phosphate solution
Introduction:
Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice to clean and maintain the aesthetics and
health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it serves as an
abrasive that aids in removing the dental plaque and food from the teeth and
delivers active ingredients such as fluoride to help prevent tooth and gum
disease (gingivitis).

Ingredients:
In addition to 20-42% water, toothpastes are derived from a variety of
components, including three main ones: abrasives, fluoride, and detergents.
Abrasives
Abrasives constitute at least 50% of typical toothpaste. These insoluble
particles help remove plaque from the teeth. The removal of plaque prevents
cavities and periodontal disease. Representative abrasives include particles of,
calcium carbonate (CaCO3), various calcium hydrogen phosphates, various
silica and zeolites.
Abrasives, like the dental polishing agents used in dentists' offices, also cause
a small amount of enamel erosion which is termed "polishing" action. Some
brands contain powdered white mica which acts as a mild abrasive, and also
adds a cosmetically-pleasing glittery shimmer to the paste. The polishing of
teeth removes stains from tooth surfaces, but has not been shown to improve
dental health over and above the effects of the removal of plaque.

Fluorides
Fluoride in various forms is the most popular active ingredient in toothpaste to
prevent cavities. Fluoride occurs in small amounts in plants, animals,
and some natural water sources. The additional fluoride in toothpaste has
beneficial effects on the formation of dental enamel and bones. Sodium
fluoride (NaF) is the most common source of fluoride but stannous fluoride
(SnF2), and sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F) are also used.
Other components

Antibacterial agents
Triclosan, an antibacterial agent, is a common toothpaste ingredient in the
UK. Triclosan or zinc chloride prevent gingivitis and, according to the
American Dental Association, helps reduce tartar and bad breath.
Flavorants
Toothpaste comes in a variety of colorings, and flavors intended to encourage
use of the product. Three most common flavorants are peppermint, spearmint,
and wintergreen. Toothpaste flavored with peppermint-anise oil is popular in
the Mediterranean region. These flavors are provided by the respective oils,
e.g. peppermint oil. More exotic flavors include anise, apricot, bubblegum,
cinnamon, fennel, lavender, neem, ginger, vanilla, lemon, orange, and pine.

Types of Toothpastes
Fluoride Toothpaste
They contain Sodium Fluoride (NaF), Stannous Fluoride (SnF2), or
Monofluorophosphate (MFP2). The fluoride content is about 1,000 parts per
million (ppm). They are all effective in preventing dental caries. Children
toothpaste contains 500ppm fluoride and is usually fruit flavored, which is
suitable for children.

Desensitizing Toothpaste
The active ingredients help seal off the microtubules inside the exposed
dentine (such as exposed root surface due to toothbrush abrasion) to reduce
tooth sensitivity. Active ingredients such as Potassium Nitrate are used by
different product manufacturers. There are many different types of
desensitizing toothpastes marketed by different brand names. Their various
functions depend on different active ingredients they contain.

Anti-calculus toothpaste
The manufacturer claims that the calcification of dental plaque could be
retarded by this kind of toothpaste, thus it reduces the rate of calculus
formation. The active ingredient is Pyrophosphate or Zinc Citrate.

Anti-plaque toothpaste
This kind of toothpaste inhibits plaque accumulation, reduces the toxic effects
of the bacterial toxin on the periodontal tissues, thereby reduces the chances
of getting periodontal disease. In the market, different anti- plaque toothpastes
contain different active ingredients. For example Triclosan or Zinc Citrate.

Whitening toothpaste
This kind of toothpaste contains relatively coarse abrasives which function by
abrading the stains on the tooth surface, giving a whitening effect. However,
long term use will result in roughened tooth surfaces, which makes stains
deposit more readily.

History Of Toothpaste

The development of toothpaste began as long ago as 300/500BC in China and

India.

The ancient Egyptian recipe for toothpaste: The world's oldest-known

formula for toothpaste, used more than 1,500 years before Colgate began
marketing the first commercial brand in 1873, has been discovered on a piece
of dusty papyrus in the basement of a Viennese museum.

In faded black ink made of soot and gum Arabic mixed with water, an ancient
Egyptian scribe has carefully described what he calls a "powder for white and
perfect teeth".
When mixed with saliva in the mouth, it forms a "clean tooth paste".
According to the document, written in the fourth century AD, the ingredients
needed for the perfect smile are one drachma of rock salt - a measure equal to
one hundredth of an ounce - two drachmas of mint, one drachma of dried iris
flower and 20 grains of pepper, all of them crushed and mixed together.
Evolution Of Toothpaste
First attempts at tooth cleaning included using abrasives such as crushed bone,
crushed egg and oyster shells, which were used to clean debris from teeth.
Tooth powders were the first noticeable advance and were made up of
elements like powdered charcoal, powdered bark and some flavoring agents.
This would be applied to teeth using a simple stick.

Toothpowder or dentifrice was first available in Britain in the late eighteenth

century. It came in a ceramic pot and was available either as a powder or
paste. The rich applied it with brushes and the poor with their fingers.

Modern toothpastes were developed in the 1800s. A dentist called Peabody

was the first to add soap to toothpaste in 1824. Chalk was first added to
toothpaste by John Harris in the 1850s. In 1873, toothpaste was first mass-
produced into nice smelling toothpaste in a jar. In 1892, Dr. Washington
Sheffield of Connecticut was the first to put toothpaste into a collapsible tube.
Sheffield's toothpaste was called Dr. Sheffield's Crème Dentifrice.
Advancements in synthetic detergents (after World War II) replaced the soap
used in toothpaste with emulsifying agents such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
and Sodium Ricinoleate.

The 1960's saw the introduction of fluoride into toothpaste. This development
was followed in the 1980's with the addition of soluble calcium fluoride to
fluoride toothpastes. It is therefore within the last thirty years that toothpastes
contains the two ingredients - calcium and fluoride.
TOOTHPASTE 1: Colgate max white (gel)
Colour: Light blue
Solubility: Readily soluble in water
Test for Acid Radicals (Anions)
Preliminary tests
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Test for Carbonate: To No characteristic Carbonate was
a little of the salt in a dry reaction. absent
test tube, add dil. HCl.
2. Test for Sulphate: To a White precipitate was Sulphate was
few ml. of salt solution add formed. present.
dil. HCl and a few drops of
BaCl2.
3. Test for Phosphate: To Deep yellow precipitate Phosphate was
a little salt solution add was formed. present.
conc. HNO3 and ammonium
molybdate and warm.
4. Test for Nitrate: To a Dark brown fumes were Nitrate was present.
small quantity salt solution evolved.
in a test tube add conc.
H2SO4 and heat.
Confirmatory Tests:
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1.Sulphate: Add acetic acid A white precipitate was Presence of
and lead acetate solution to formed. Sulphate
the original solution. confirmed.
2.Phosphate: Add A white precipitate was Presence of
magnesia mixture to obtained. Phosphate
original solution. confirmed.
3. Brown Ring Test: Add A dark brown ring was Presence of Nitrate
come freshly prepared formed at the junction of confirmed.
Ferrous sulphate to the layers.
original solution and pour a
few drops of conc.
Sulphuric acid.
Test for Basic Radicals (Cations)
Group Detection table:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

To salt add dil. HCl. No characteristic Group I absent.
reaction.
To solution, add dil. No characteristic Group II absent.
HCl and sodium reaction.
sulphide.
To solution, add No characteristic Group III absent.
ammonium chloride and reaction.
ammonium hydroxide.
Divide solution into 3
parts
To one part, add sodium No characteristic Group IV absent.
sulphide. reaction.
To second part add White precipitate was Group V present.
ammonium hydroxide observed.
and ammonium
carbonate.
To last part, add No characteristic Group VI absent.
potassium dihydrogen reaction.
phosphate.

Confirmatory Tests

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Flame Test: Make a Brick red flame was
paste of the salt with observed. Presence of Calcium ion
conc. HCl. Take a part (Ca2+) confirmed.
of it at the tip of a glass
rod and show it to a non
luminous flame.
TOOTHPASTE 2: Sensodyne

Colour: White
Solubility: Readily soluble in water
Test for Acid Radicals (Anions)
Preliminary Tests
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Test for Carbonate: No characteristic Carbonate was absent.
To a little of the salt reaction.
add dil. HCl.

2.Test for Sulphate: To White precipitate was Sulphate was present.

original solution add dil. formed.
HCl and a little BaCl2

3.Test for Phosphate: Deep yellow precipitate Phosphate was present.

To original solution add was formed.
conc. HNO3 and
ammonium molybdate
and warm.

4.Test for Nitrate: To a Dark brown fumes Nitrate was present.

small quantity of salt evolved.
add H2SO4 and heat.
Confirmatory Tests

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1.Sulphate: Add acetic acid A white precipitate was Presence of
and lead acetate solution to formed. Sulphate
the original solution. confirmed.
2.Phosphate: Add A white precipitate was Presence of
magnesia mixture to obtained. Phosphate
original solution. confirmed.
3. Brown Ring Test: Add A dark brown ring was Presence of Nitrate
come freshly prepared formed at the junction of confirmed.
Ferrous sulphate to the layers.
original solution and pour a
few drops of conc.
Sulphuric acid.

Test for Basic Radicals (Cations)

Group Detection table:
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
To salt add dil. HCl. No characteristic Group I absent.
reaction.
To solution, add dil. No characteristic Group II absent.
HCl and sodium reaction.
sulphide.
To solution, add No characteristic Group III absent.
ammonium chloride and reaction.
ammonium hydroxide.
Divide solution into 3
parts.
To one part, add sodium No characteristic Group IV absent.
sulphide. reaction.
To second part add White precipitate was Group V present.
ammonium hydroxide observed.
and ammonium
carbonate.
To last part, add White crystalline Group VI present.
potassium dihydrogen precipitate was
phosphate. obtained.
Confirmatory Tests:
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Flame Test: Make a Brick red flame was
paste of the salt with observed Presence of Calcium ion
conc. HCl. Take a part (Ca2+) confirmed.
of it at the tip of a glass
rod and show it to a non
luminous flame

Ash Test: To the salt Pink ash was observed.

add few drops of conc Presence of Magnesium
HNO and a few drops of ion (Mg2+) confirmed.
dil. Cobalt nitrate and
boil thoroughly. Dip a
filter paper into the
solution and burn the
filter paper to ashes.

TOOTHPASTE 3: Colgate Total

Colour: Blue and White (Striped)
Solubility: Readily soluble in water
Test for Acid Radicals (Anions)

Preliminary Tests

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1.Test for Halides: To a Colourless gas is Either chlorine or
pinch of the salt, add evolved. fluorine is present.
conc. H2SO4 And warm.
2.Test for Sulphate: To White precipitate was Sulphate was absent.
original solution add dil. formed.
HCl and a little BaCl2
3.Test for Phosphate: Deep yellow precipitate Phosphate was absent.
To original solution was formed.
add conc. HNO3 and
ammonium molybdate
and warm.

Confirmatory Tests

Silver Nitrate Test: To No characteristic Chlorine was absent,

a portion of the salt reaction observed. therefore, presence of
solution nd add dil. fluorine confirmed.
Nitric acid, boil , cool
and then silver nitrate
solution.
Test for Basic Radicals (Cations)
Group Detection table:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

To salt add dil. HCl. No characteristic Group I absent.
reaction.
To solution, add dil. No characteristic Group II absent.
HCl and sodium reaction.
sulphide.
To solution, add No characteristic Group III absent.
ammonium chloride and reaction.
ammonium hydroxide.
Divide solution into 3
parts.
To one part, add sodium No characteristic Group IV absent.
sulphide. reaction.
To second part add White precipitate was Group V present.
ammonium hydroxide observed.
and ammonium
carbonate.
To last part, add No characteristic Group VI absent.
potassium dihydrogen reaction.
phosphate.
Confirmatory Tests:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Flame Test: Make a Brick red flame was
paste of the salt with observed Presence of Calcium ion
conc. HCl. Take a part (Ca2+) confirmed.
of it at the tip of a glass
rod and show it to a non
luminous flame
TOOTHPASTE 4: Colgate Herbal
Colour: Green and White
Solubility: Readily soluble in water
Test for Acid Radicals (Anions)
Preliminary Tests
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Test for Carbonate: Brisk effervescence was Carbonate was present.
To a little of the salt observed with evolution
add dil. HCl. of a gas which turns
lime water milky.
Test for Sulphate: To No characteristic Sulphate was absent.
original solution add dil. reaction.
HCl and a little BaCl2
Test for Phosphate: To No characteristic Phosphate was absent.
original solution add reaction.
conc. HNO3 and
ammonium molybdate
and warm.
Test for Nitrate: To a Dark brown fumes Nitrate was present.
small quantity of salt evolved.
add H2SO4 and heat.

Confirmatory Test:
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1.Carbonate: To a few White precipitate was Presence of carbonate
ml. of the salt solution add formed. confirmed.
magnesium sulphate
solution.
2. Brown Ring Test: Add A dark brown ring was Presence of Nitrate
come freshly prepared formed at the junction of confirmed.
Ferrous sulphate to the layers.
original solution and pour
a few drops of conc.
Sulphuric acid.
Test for Basic Radicals (Cations)
Group Detection table:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

To salt add dil. HCl. No characteristic Group I absent.
reaction.
To solution, add dil. No characteristic Group II absent.
HCl and sodium reaction.
sulphide.
To solution, add No characteristic Group III absent.
ammonium chloride and reaction.
ammonium hydroxide.
Divide solution into 3
parts.
To one part, add sodium No characteristic Group IV absent.
sulphide. reaction.
To second part add White precipitate was Group V absent.
ammonium hydroxide observed.
and ammonium
carbonate.
To last part, add White crystalline Group VI present.
potassium dihydrogen precipitate was
phosphate. obtained.

Confirmatory Tests:

Ash Test: To the salt Pink ash was observed.

add few drops of conc Presence of Magnesium
HNO and a few drops of ion (Mg2+) confirmed.
dil. Cobalt nitrate and
boil thoroughly. Dip a
filter paper into the
solution and burn the
filter paper to ashes.
 RESULT

All toothpastes have different radicals. Of the anions, Nitrate is the

most common. While, of the cations, Calcium ion (Ca2+) and
Magnesium ion ( Mg2+) are equally common. The following acid and
basic radicals were found in the respective toothpastes:

NAME ANIONS PRESENT CATIONS

PRESENT
Colgate Max White Sulphate, Phophate, Calcium
Nitrate
Sensodyne Sulphate, Phosphate, Calcium, Magnesium
Nitrate
Colgate Total Fluoride Calcium
Colgate Herbal Carbonate, Nitrate Magnesium
 CONCLUSION

Toothpastes generally have many different components. The

most common ions are Phosphates and Calcium. Different types
of toothpastes have different ingredients. Desensitizing
toothpastes like Sensodyne have Fluorides and Nitrates. Herbal
and medicinal toothpastes have many natural ingredients for
medicinal purposes.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. www.toothpasteworld.com/facts.php

2. www.parentingtoddlers.com/toothpaste.history.html

3. www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/toothpastes