[Social Issues and Environmental Problems, Vol.3 (Iss.

9:SE): Sep, 2015] ISSN- 2350-0530(O) ISSN- 2394-3629(P)

Impact Factor: 2.035 (I2OR)

GREEN CHEMISTRY: STUDY OF ACID-BASE INDICATOR PROPERTY

OF GOLDEN BEET ROOT

Prashant Thote
Gyanodaya Vidya Mandir, Narsingarh

ABSTRACT
In acid- base titrations, indicators are used to show a sharp color changes at interval of pH.Natural
pigments in plants are highly colored substances and may show color changes with variation of pH.
An attempt has been made to investigate the indicator activity of root extract of golden beet root and to
replace the synthetic indicators as they have certain disadvantages like chemical pollution, availability
problems and high cost. A study has been done to investigate the indicator activity of aqueous extract of
root pigments and compared with that of already existing synthetic indicators. Pigments were extracted
using hot water and a definite volume was added which gave accurate and reliable results for all the four
different types of neutralization titrations - strong acid against strong base, strong acid against a weak base,
weak acid against strong base and weak acid against weak base. The work proved to be acceptable in
introducing root pigments as a substitute to the synthetic acid-base indicators.
Keywords:
Golden Root Beet, pH indicators, natural pigments, flower pigments, neutralization indicators,
phenolphthalein substitutes.

INTRODUCTION

Beetroot is a root vegetable that grows primarily in the ground with a leafy top that grows
aboveground. It can be found in both temperate and tropical areas of the world. It takes
approximately 60 days from seed to harvest. Beets have been cultivated for thousands of years for
their dietary value. Recent studies have indicated that consuming beetroot juice can improve
certain health conditions and can also improve oxygenation during athletic activities. Though the
full health effects of beetroot are not yet known, many health experts recommend consuming
beetroot or beetroot herbal for a nutritional boost. Beet can be grown in all agro-ecological regions
in the country. Drained soils are suitable. Ill -drained soil can cause growth problems. A pH range
between 6.3 and 7.5 is most appropriate for cultivation.
The beet is derived from the wild beet or sea beet (Beta maritima) which grows on the coasts of
Eurasia.2 Ancient Greeks called the beet teutlion and used it for its leaves, both as a culinary herb
and medicinally. The Indians also used the beet medicinally, but were the first to cultivate the plant
for its root. They referred to the beet as beta.3 Common names for the beet include: beetroot,
chard, European sugar beet, red garden beet, Harvard beet, blood turnip, maangelwurzel, mangel,
and spinach beet.
The beetroot, commonly called the beet, is a biennial plant that produces seeds the second year of
growth and is usually grown as an annual for the fleshy root and young leaves. The Beta vulgaris

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[Social Issues and Environmental Problems, Vol.3 (Iss.9:SE): Sep, 2015] ISSN- 2350-0530(O) ISSN- 2394-3629(P)
Impact Factor: 2.035 (I2OR)

has three basic varieties: chard, grown specifically for its leaves; beets, grown for its bulbous root,
with edible leaves (with varieties in white, yellow and red roots); and sugar beets, grown for
making sugar from the long, thick root. The beet is a root vegetable with purple-green variegated
leaves. It has either a round taproot with minimal secondary roots, or in the case of the sugar beet,
a long carrot-like root with minimal secondary roots. The young plants, which are generally
thinned by hand are good to eat as young leaves (tasting somewhat like spinach).
The beet is propagated by seed (clusters holding from three to five seeds). Therefore, it is necessary
to thin the beets when they are young. The seeds will germinate in five to ten days in temperatures
from 55ºF-80ºF.
Commercial indicators are expensive and some of them have toxic effects on users and can also
cause environ-mental pollution. For these reasons there has been an increasing interest in
searching for alternative sources of indicators from natural origins. These alternatives would be
cheaper, more available, simple to extract, less toxic to users and environmentally friendly.
Volumetric analysis is one of the key quantitative techniques used to analytically determine both
inorganic and organic acid interaction with strong or weak acids and bases in raw materials,
intermediates and finished products for quality assurance purposes . This is accomplished via the
use of appropriate weak organic dyes or acids pH indicators. Most pH indicators are either weak
organic acids or bases dyes which accept or donate electrons. The change in color at a marginal
range is attributed to their acidity or basicity properties. Although there are automated titration
apparatus that determine the equivalent points between reacting species, indicators are still needed
for teaching and research laboratories for simple titration
Flavanoids are colored compounds that can be isolated from various parts of plants like flowers,
fruits and are pH sensitive. Therefore it has been hypothesized that the fruit extract could be
utilized as an indicator for different types of acid base titrations. The pulps of the fruit are pH
sensitive and give different colors in acidic condition (pink) and basic condition (greenish yellow).
The equivalence points obtained by using fruit extract matched with the equivalence points
obtained by standard indicators.
Flavones are soluble in water and alcohol and can be extracted by chopping and macerating the
plant material, soaking it for a few minutes in hot water or rubbing with alcohol.
Colours of substances make the world a wonderful place. Because of the colours and structures;
flowers, plants, animals, and minerals show their unique characters. There are various organic and
inorganic compounds responsible for natural colours. Some of the organic compounds i.e.
flavonoids, flavonols, acylated flavonoids, anthocyanins, glucosylated acylated anthocyanin,
quinines, imines, polymethines, napthaquinones, anthraquinonoids, indigoids; dihydropyrans
diarylmethanes carotene etc. imparts colours to the flower. Among them anthocyanidins and
flavones are main.
The world has become aware of environmental issue in recent years. Synthetic compounds are
highly polluting, hazardous and much more costly. Researchers are working in the field of natural
products extensively as they are less hazardous, low cost, easily available, and eco-friendly.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Natural indicators have been extracted from Hibiscus (red species), Bougainvillea and rose
flowers. Several authors have reported on the effectiveness of natural indicators in acid-base
titrations e.g. Nerium odorum Thespesia populnea extract used as indicators; Morus alba linn
fruit extract indicator and Ixora coccinea, Datura stramonium, Sun flower (Helianthus annus),
pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) and rail creeper (Ipomoea palmate) flower petal

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[Social Issues and Environmental Problems, Vol.3 (Iss.9:SE): Sep, 2015] ISSN- 2350-0530(O) ISSN- 2394-3629(P)
Impact Factor: 2.035 (I2OR)

extracts . The natural indicator sources investigated in these papers have been extracted and
prepared using ethanol, water, or methanol.

METHODOLOGY
Plant materials
The collection of fresh beetroot from local market of Narsingarh Madhya Pradesh, India. It was
then authenticated at Department of Botany, P.G. College.
Reagents
Reagents of analytical grade were used. Sodium hydroxide, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, ethanoic
acid and phenolphthalein were obtained from Department of Chemistry Gyanodaya Vidya Mandir,
Narsingarh. The reagents and volumetric solutions were prepared as per Indian pharmacopeia IP
1996.
Glass wares
Burettes, pipettes etc were calibrated as per the procedures given in Indian pharmacopeia IP 1996.
Preparation of root extract
1 g fresh root of golden beet were extracted with warm water for 15 minutes and the aqueous
extract separate and were maintained.

RESULTS

Table 1a: Titration of HCl against NaOH using aqueous golden root beet flower extract indicator.
S No Vol of acid (ml) Burette reading Volume of
Initial (ml) Final (ml) titrant (mL)
mean = £x/n

1 10.0 0.0 9.6 9.7

2 10.0 0.0 9.7
3 10.0 0.0 9.8
4 10.0 0.0 9.7
5 10.0 0.0 9.7

Table 1b: Titration of HCl against NaOH using Phenolphthalein indicator

S No Vol of acid (ml) Burette reading Volume of
Initial (ml) Final (ml) titrant (mL)
mean = £x/n

1 10.0 0.0 9.6 9.7

2 10.0 0.0 9.7
3 10.0 0.0 9.8
4 10.0 0.0 9.7
5 10.0 0.0 9.7

Table 2a: Titration of HCl against NH3 using aqueous golden beet root extract indicator.
S No Vol of acid (ml) Burette reading Volume of
Initial (ml) Final (ml) titrant (mL)
mean = £x/n

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[Social Issues and Environmental Problems, Vol.3 (Iss.9:SE): Sep, 2015] ISSN- 2350-0530(O) ISSN- 2394-3629(P)
Impact Factor: 2.035 (I2OR)

1 10.0 0.0 9.5 9.5

2 10.0 0.0 9.4
3 10.0 0.0 9.6
4 10.0 0.0 9.5
5 10.0 0.0 9.5

Table 2b: Titration of HCl against NH3 using Phenolphthalein indicator

S No Vol of acid (ml) Burette reading Volume of
Initial (ml) Final (ml) titrant (mL)
mean = £x/n

1 10.0 0.0 9.5 9.5

2 10.0 0.0 9.5
3 10.0 0.0 9.6
4 10.0 0.0 9.5
5 10.0 0.0 9.4

Table 3a: Titration of Acetic acid against NaOH using aqueous golden beet root extract indicator.
S No Vol of acid (ml) Burette reading Volume of
Initial (ml) Final (ml) titrant (mL)
mean = £x/n

1 10.0 0.0 9.6 9.7

2 10.0 0.0 9.7
3 10.0 0.0 9.8
4 10.0 0.0 9.7
5 10.0 0.0 9.7

Table 3b: Titration of Acetic acid against NaOH using Phenolphthalein indicator.
S No Vol of acid (ml) Burette reading Volume of
Initial (ml) Final (ml) titrant (mL)
mean = £x/n

1 10.0 0.0 9.6 9.6

2 10.0 0.0 9.6
3 10.0 0.0 9.7
4 10.0 0.0 9.4
5 10.0 0.0 9.6

Table 4a: Titration of Acetic acid against NaOH using aqueous golden beet root extract indicator
S No Vol of acid (ml) Burette reading Volume of
Initial (ml) Final (ml) titrant (mL)
mean = £x/n

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[Social Issues and Environmental Problems, Vol.3 (Iss.9:SE): Sep, 2015] ISSN- 2350-0530(O) ISSN- 2394-3629(P)
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1 10.0 0.0 9.7 9.7

2 10.0 0.0 9.7
3 10.0 0.0 9.8
4 10.0 0.0 9.7
5 10.0 0.0 9.6

Table 4b: Titration of Acetic acid against NH3 using Phenolphthalein indicator
S No Vol of acid (ml) Burette reading Volume of
Initial (ml) Final (ml) titrant (mL)
mean = £x/n

1 10.0 0.0 9.9 9.9

2 10.0 0.0 10.0
3 10.0 0.0 9.9
4 10.0 0.0 9.8
5 10.0 0.0 9.9

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
The root of golden were separated and cleaned with distilled water. It was then cut to small pieces
and transferred to a clean beaker. 100 ml of distilled water was taken in another beaker and gently
warmed and poured to the petals and kept aside for 15 minutes. The extract was then poured
carefully to a glass container through a funnel and stored aside separately without exposing to
direct sunlight.

Test for color change

0.1 ml of the extract was added to 25 ml each of buffer solutions of pH ranging from 1.

Titrations
0.1 ml of the extract was added as indicator for each titration type- strong acid against strong base,
strong acid against weak base. Weak acid against strong base and weak acid against weak base
and the trials were repeated 5 times to check the precision. The titrations were again performed
using phenolphthalein indicator as standard and the results obtained were compared with the
results of titrations using plant extract indicator. The results for titrations are depicted in the tables
1a to 4b.

The equivalence point of the titrations using the flower extract either coincided or almost reached
close to the equivalence point using the standard indicator, phenolphthalein for all the titrations.
In several cases it proved to be more reliable than the standard indicator and gave sharp color
change at equivalence point. It was also observed that the extract act reversibly and gave sharp
color change in both the directions.
Thus the study helped to realize that the root pigment of golden beet could be effectively used as
a substitute to the presently existing indicators owing to the factors like simple preparation, good
performance and accurate and precise results.

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[Social Issues and Environmental Problems, Vol.3 (Iss.9:SE): Sep, 2015] ISSN- 2350-0530(O) ISSN- 2394-3629(P)
Impact Factor: 2.035 (I2OR)

REFERENCES
1. Patil M.V. ,Jadhav R.L. (2012) Use of Phyllanthus reticulatus Fruit Extract as a Natural
Indicator in acid base titration International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences Vol 4, Suppl 1, 2012
2. Pathan Mohd Arif Khan, Mazahar Farooqui (2011) Analytical Applications of Plant
Extract as Natural pH Indicator: A Review J Adv Scient Res, 2011; 2(4): 20-27
3. Prashant Thote and Mansi Khare (2013) Investigation of a Simple and Cheap Source of
a Natural Indicator for Acid-Base Titration: Effect of System Conditions on Natural
Indicators Journal of Research ,Extension and Development (accepted for publication)
4. Prashant Thote and Medha Singh (2013) Investigation of a Simple and Cheap Source of
a Natural Indicator for Acid-Base Titration: A small step for Eco-Friendly
Environment Journal of Research ,Extension and Development vol.02 no 03 pp 54-65
5. Prashant Thote (2013) Isolation of herbal acid-base indicator from the seeds of Tagetes
erecta Journal of Research ,Extension and Development vol.02 no 00 pp 45-51
6. Prashant Thote Investigation of a simple an chef source of a natural Indicator for Acid-
Base Titration :Effect of system Conditions on Natural Indicators (Unpublished work)
7. Sajin Kattuvilakam Abbas (2,012) Study of acid-base indicator property of flowers of
Ipomoea biloba International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(12): 420-422.

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