Aqueous Leaf Extract of Basella alba as an

Acid-Base Indicator

ABSTRACT
Acid-base indicators are chemicals used to determine whether an aqueous solution is acidic, neutral, or alkaline. They function to

balance the pH levels in the body. Presence of pigments, fruit extract of Basella alba can extensively be used as a natural colorant

on fabrics. In the present investigation, leaves from Basella alba plant were used as acid base indicator. Synthetic colorants are gen-

erally harmful and cause allergies to human beings. Basella alba leaves were collected in the school’s herbarium. Collected leaves

were washed with distilled water and air dried for six days and macerated using domestic grinder. Purplish-red residue obtained were

stored in glass vials and maintained in a refrigerator (4ºC) until further use. Using the homogenize tissue extraction method in ex-

tracting the phytochemicals A deep red and a purplish-red colored dye were obtained from the water extract. Demonstrated acid-

base titrations were performed with different types of acids and bases using the dyes as indicators. Similar titrations were performed

using commercially available indicators. Results indicated that the aqueous leaf extract of Basella alba were effective and can

serve as suitable indicators of acid-base involving a strong acid and a strong base.

Materials and Methods

Plant Material
Basella alba leaves were collected in the school’s herbarium. Col-
lected leaves were washed with distilled water and air dried for six
days and macerated using domestic grinder. The powdered materials
were separately subjected to aqueous extraction with Soxhlet appa-
ratus for 15-18 hrs (Evans and Raj, 1988). Purplish-red residue ob-
tained were stored in glass vials and maintained in a refrigerator (4ºC)
until further use.
Chemicals

Acetic acid, soda, calamansi extract,

milk, baking soda, detergent, ammonia
and sodium hydroxide were procured
from local companies and dilutions
were made as per requirement.
Extraction
Collect 250 to 500 g of leaves of Ba-
sella alba. Wash them with tap water.
Rinse them with distilled water to re-
move impurities. If you need to use the
fresh plant part, you cut the plant part
very small pieces. If a blender is avail-
able, use it to grind the plant material.
Weigh the ground plant material, Rec-
ord and place in a clean container.

Results and Discussion

Basella alba leaf extracts were successfully isolated and evaluated for its application as
acid-base indicator.

Based on the picture in Figure 1, the effect of the aqueous extract of Basella alba in the
liquids in the left became red to light pink. While the liquids at the right became blue to dark
blue. This indicates that the liquids in the left are acids while the liquids at the right are
bases.
Table 1. Result of Color Change from Basella alba leaf extract
Liquids Basella alba extract
Acetic acid Colorless to light pink
Soda Colorless to light pink
Calamansi extract Yellow to light red

Milk White to red

Baking soda White to dark blue
Soap Colorless to dark blue
Ammonia Colorless to violet
Sodium hydroxide Colorless to yellow

Conclusions

It can be concluded from the results of this study that aqueous extract of Basella alba
can serve as suitable indicators of acid-base involving a strong acid and a strong base.
The results obtained in all types of liquids lead us to conclude that, it was due to the
presence of betalains (Mitra, 2015) which leads to sharp color changes occurred at the
end point of titration. This study suggests that Basella alba leaf extract can be used as
an effective acid-base indicator because of its economy, simplicity, easy availability and
cost-effectiveness compares to commercial indicators. Unlike the other natural extracts,
it can be effective and potent in powder form also, hence can be stored for future stud-
ies.