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Bougainvillea glabra – A Natural Indicator

Pokharna Gaurav1, Jain Naveen Kumar2, Nalwaya Narendra*3, Chatap V. K.4
1
Prin. K. M. Kundnani College of Pharmacy, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai- 400005, India.
2
Saraswathi Vidya Bhavan’s College of Pharmacy, Dombivli (E), Dist: - Thane 421204, India.
3
Acropolis Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
4
Sharad Chandra Pawar College of Pharmacy, Otur, Pune, India.

ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to evaluate the juice extracted from flower petals (bracts) of climbing woody vine
Bougainvillea glabra Choisy (Nyctaginaceae) as a titration indicator. A comparative study of Bougainvillea juice,
a natural indicator, with synthetic indicator viz. phenolphthalein, methyl orange and neutral red-methylene
blue were carried out to evaluate the accuracy of Bougainvillea juice as an acid-base indicator. The results
indicated that juice obtained from flowers of Bougainvillea glabra can be used as acid base indicator in titration
of strong acid with strong base because similar results were obtained by phenolphthalein and the rationale
behind using Bougainvillea juice in preference to phenolphthalein is its easy availability, inertness, ease of
preparation and cost-effectiveness and also the indicator papers prepared using Bougainvillea juice can be used
to differentiate solutions in pH range of 7–10 because it showed different colors at each pH from 7–10.

Keywords: Bougainvillea glabra, Indicator, Phenolphthalein, Methyl orange, Neutral red-Methylene blue.
Editor: Dr. Mueen Ahmed K.K., Phcog.Net
Copyright: © 2010 Phcog.net
*Author for Correspondence: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION and having medicinal uses like anti-inflammatory,

insecticidal (3), decoction of its leaves used in diarrhea
Indicators are substances whose solutions change
(4), cough and sore throat and also used as dye color and
color due to changes in pH. These are called acid-base
fragrance in cosmetics (5). The main parts used in the
indicators. They are usually weak acids or bases, but their
plants are leaves, flower and stem. The main constituents
conjugate base or acid forms have different colors due
are alkaloids, flavonoids, steroid and D-pinitol a major
to differences in their absorption spectra. They are also
carbohydrate is isolated i.e. betacynin in bark (3). In this
known as neutralization indicator (1).
work, an attempt has been made to compare natural
Indicators can be classified into two main classes
indicator with synthetic one. Here bracts associated with
according to their source.
white flowers of Bougainvillea glabra were used as source
1. Synthetic indicators: it includes all the synthetically of acid-base indicator.
prepared acid base indicators.
2. Natural indicators: it includes natural flowers, fruits, MATERIAL AND METHODS
and other plant parts as acid base indicators (2).
Collection of Flowers
Bougainvillea is named after French Navigator Louis
de Bougainvillea who first discovered these plants and The flowers of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy were collected
its flowers available in red, yellow, pink, white, purple, from local area of Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh) and petals
scarlet and lavender. Bougainvillea glabra is native of (bracts) were separated from the flowers. Then petals were
Brazil and a deciduous (leaf losing), climbing woody washed with water to remove the dust.
vine. Its tiny white flowers usually appear in clusters
Apparatus and Chemicals
surrounded by colorful papery bracts, hence the name
paper flower. It is a popular plants of California, South Burette, Mortar pestle; Ammonia, Acetic acid, Hydrochloric
Taxes, Florida, the Caribbean, South Africa, Malaysia, acid, Sodium hydroxide, Oxalic acid, Methyl orange and
the Mediterranean and other areas with warm climates Phenolphthalein of analytical grade were used.

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 Bougainvillea glabra – A Natural Indicator

Preparation of Reagents paper were dipped in it for 5–6 hours and finally dried
it at 30–40°C. Then these papers were dipped in acid
0.1M each of ammonia solution, acetic acid, hydrochloric solution and in basic solution and color changed were
acid and sodium hydroxide; 0.1N oxalic acid, methyl observed. It showed pink color in acidic and yellow
orange and phenolphthalein solutions were prepared as color in basic solution. These observations helped us to
per Indian Pharmacopoeia (I.P. 1996) (6). proceed further (7).
The calibration of apparatus like burettes, pipettes, and
Preparation of Juice from Petals other required instruments and standardization of acids
and bases were done as per procedures given in Indian
1 gm of fresh petals of Bougainvillea glabra were cut into
Pharmacopoeia (I. P. 1996).
small pieces and triturated in mortar and pestle by adding
10 ml of titrant with two drops of indicator Bougainvillea
10 ml of water. After triturating, the petals were strained
glabra (B. G.) was titrated against titrates and the color
by using muslin cloth and juice was collected in beaker.
changes for the indicator is listed in Table 1.
The results of screening for strong acid–strong base
Experimental Procedure
(HCl–NaOH), strong acid–weak base (HCl–NH4OH), weak
The diluted juice of Bougainvillea flowers was filled in acid–strong base (CH3COOH–NaOH) and weak acid–weak
a dish and then properly sized strips of whatman filter base (CH3COOH–NH4OH) are listed in Table 2 & 3. Each

Table 1: Bougainvillea glabra (B.G.)

Titrant Indicator Color Titrate Color
(at initial point) (at end point)

HCl B.G. Pink NaOH Yellow

CH3COOH B.G. Pink NaOH Yellow
HCl B.G. Pink NH4OH Yellow
CH3COOH B.G. Pink NH4OH Yellow

Table 2: Volume of Titrate with Standard Indicator

Volume of titrate required for
equivalent point with titrant
Chemicals (10 ml) with indicator

Titrant (0.1N) Titrate (0.1N) Standard Indicator B.G. Ind.

HCl NaOH 7.5 ± 0.02 (Ph. Ind.) 8.2 ± 0.04

CH3COOH NaOH 9.7 ± 0.02 (Ph. Ind.) 10.1 ± 0.07
HCl NH4OH 19.3 ± 0.48 (M.O. Ind.) 22.7 ± 0.48
CH3COOH NH4OH 25.1 ± 0.24 (N.R.-M.B. Ind.) 27.7 ± 0.48
B.G. Ind. - Bougainvillea glabra indicator; Ph. Ind. - Phenolphthalein indicator;
M.O. Ind. - Methyl orange indicator; N.R.-M.B. Ind. – Neutral red-methylene blue indicator

Table 3: pH of the Solution at the End Point of Titration

Solutions pH

HCl and NaOH with Ph. Ind. 7-8

HCl and NaOH with B.G. Ind. 7-8
CH3COOH and NaOH with Ph. Ind. 8-9
CH3COOH and NaOH with B.G. Ind. 7-8
HCl and NH4OH with M.O. Ind. 2-4
HCl and NH4OH with B.G. Ind. 7-8
CH3COOH and NH4OH with N.R.-M.B. Ind. 6-7
CH3COOH and NH4OH with B.G. Ind. 7-8
B.G. Ind. - Bougainvillea glabra indicator; Ph. Ind. - Phenolphthalein indicator;
M.O. Ind. - Methyl orange indicator; N.R.-M.B. Ind. – Neutral red-methylene blue indicator

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 Bougainvillea glabra – A Natural Indicator

also same, so we can say that bougainvillea juice can be

used in place of phenolphthalein.
In case of weak acid and strong base, volume consumed
with phenolphthalein and bougainvillea juice are almost
similar, differing only by 0.5 ml but pH at end point was
different in both the cases i.e. 8–9 with phenolphthalein
and 7–8 with bougainvillea juice. It is not advisable to use
bougainvillea juice in such titrations because pH at end
point is different.
In case of weak base and strong acid, volume consumed
with methyl orange and bougainvillea juice are not
similar, differing by 5.0 ml but pH at end point was
different in both the cases i.e. 2–4 with methyl orange
and 7–8 with bougainvillea juice. It is not advisable to
use bougainvillea juice in such titrations because pH
at end point is different and volume difference is also
large.
In case of weak acid and weak base, volume consumed
with neutral red-methylene blue and bougainvillea juice
are not similar, differing by 3.5 ml but pH at end point
was different in both the cases i.e. 6–7 with neutral red-
methylene blue and 7–8 with bougainvillea juice. It is
not advisable to use bougainvillea juice in such titrations
Figure 1 Color Change of Different pH Solution with B.G. Juice because pH at end point is different and volume difference
is also large.
The color change interval of bougainvillea juice was
also determined by preparing solutions having pH from
titration is carried out five times by using 0.1N strength of
range of 1–10 and adding two drops of bougainvillea
acid and alkali and results were recorded as mean ± SEM.
juice to each test tube. It showed that from pH 1–7
bougainvillea juice impart pink color to the solution but
Color Change Interval of the Indicator at
at pH 8 it imparts brown (chocolaty) color, at pH 9 it
Different pH (1–10)
shows greenish color and at pH 10 it imparts yellow color
To locate the exact color change interval of the indicator, to the solution.
we prepared solutions having pH ranging from 1–10. To
prepare it we used distill water, 0.1N NaOH, 0.1N HCl CONCLUSION
and pH meter. After preparing the solutions two drops
of bougainvillea juice is added to each test tube having Natural indicators are the results of ever increasing
solutions with pH ranging from 1–10. Color change was demand of mankind towards better alternatives, which
observed in each case and results are shown in Fig. 1. not only reduces cost but also healthful to the user and
on the all results obtained by natural indicator is similar
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION to that of available synthetic indicator.
Juice obtained from flowers of Bougainvillea glabra
By using strong acid, strong base, weak acid and weak can be used as acid base indicator in titration of strong
base in different combinations and along with synthetic acid with strong base with similar results as obtained
& natural indicator result can be concluded in terms of by phenolphthalein. The rationale behind using
difference in volume consumed of a particular acid or bougainvillea juice in preference to phenolphthalein is
base in given set of combination. easy availability, inertness, non carcinogenicity, low cost
In case of strong acid and strong base, volume and ease of preparation.
consumed with phenolphthalein and bougainvillea juice pH papers prepared by juice of bougainvillea can also
are almost similar, differing only by 0.7 ml and pH at end be used to differentiate the solutions having pH in range
point was same in both the cases i.e. 7–8. Since difference of 7–10 because it showed different colors at pH 7, 8, 9
in volume is not significant and pH at the end point is and 10.

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 Bougainvillea glabra – A Natural Indicator

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