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 REVIEW ARTICLE

Plant Extracts as Acid Base Indicator: An Overview

Prabhakar Sharma1*, Ramchandra Gupta1, Sunil Roshan1, Sandeep Sahu1, Shyamji
Tantuway1, Ajay Shukla1, Ashish Garg1
Abstract: Today synthetic indicators are the choice of acid-base titrations but due to environmental pollution, availability and
cost, the search for natural compounds as an acid-base indicator was started. Indicators help to determine the equivalence point
in acid–base titrations (neutralization titrations). They show sharp color change with respect to change in pH; commonly used
indicator for neutralization titrations is synthetic in nature. The highly colored pigments obtained from plants are found to
exhibit color changes with variation of pH. 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. Acid-base indicators are the
substances which changes color with changes in pH. They are usually weak acids and bases and also known as neutralization
indicator. Today various plants extracts are used as acid base indicator such as Rosa sinensis, Dahlia pinnata and Butea
monosperma etc. These indicators are economically and easily available. In this review importance of pH indicators in analytical
chemistry along with the use of plant material or the extracts obtained from plant is described.

INTRODUCTION HIn (aq.) + H2O (Ion) H3O+ (aq.) + In- (aq.)

In previous year the world has become aware for Acid Conjugate Base
environmental issue recently, various plants parts such as (Color A) (Color B)
flowers, leaves are symbolic and regarded as symbol of love
wishes. The plants flower attracts the insects for The acid and its conjugate base have different colors. At
pollination. Thus flowers are miracle wonder of the nature, low ph values the concentration of H3o+ is high and so the
by the god, for the world. [1] The Synthetic compounds are equilibrium position lies to the left. The equilibrium
highly polluting, harmful, hazardous and much more costly solution has the color A. At high pH values, the
for research work as well as analytical work, so various concentration of H3o+ is low, the equilibrium position thus
researches are going on in this field of natural products lies to the right and the equilibrium solution has color B. A
extensively as they are less hazardous, low cost, easily universal indicator is a mixture of indicators which give a
available, and eco-friendly. [2] The chemical substances gradual change in color over a wide pH range, the pH of a
which possess an apparent change in color of analyte and solution can be approximately identified when a few drops
titrant reacting mixture very close to the point in the of universal indicator are mixed with the solution.
ongoing titration known as indicator, [3-4] which helps to Indicators are used in titration solutions to signal the
examine and determine the equivalence point in acid–base completion of the acid-base reaction. [9] There are various
titrations (neutralization titrations). Natural dyes and synthetic acid base indicators.
pigments in plants are highly colored substances and may Examples: Methyl Orange, Methyl Red, Bromo cresol
show color changes with variation of pH, [5] the highly Green, Phenol Red and Phenolphthalein.
colored pigments resulted from herbal plants are found to
exhibit color changes with variation of pH. [6] The indicators Plants Used as Acid Base Indicator
which are used in titrations show well-marked color changes There are various plants which show good acid base
in certain intervals of pH, Most of these indicators are indicator activity against various synthetic ph indicators.
organic dyes and are of synthetic origins but due to Some of these are as follows:
environmental pollution, availability and cost, the search for
natural compounds as an acid-base indicator was started. [7] 1. Antirrhinum majus (Scrophularaceae)
Sidana J et al. (2011) evaluated Antirrhinum majus for its
Acid Base Indicators and Mechanism acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein as
A acid base (pH) indicators are halo chromic chemical standard indicator. The macerated methanolic petals
agents which are added in small amounts to a solution to extract of flowers used and it shows pink color at end point
determine the pH (acidity or basicity) of the solution (10).
visually and change the color with variation in pH, Hence a
pH indicator is a chemical detector for hydronium ions 2. Bombax malabaricum (Malvaceae)
(H3o+) or hydrogen ions (H+) in the Arrhenius model. [8] Patrakar R et al. (2010) determined, Bombax malabaricum
Usually the indicators are weak acids or bases which form for its acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein
ions by dissociating slightly, when dissolved in water. and methyl red as standard indicator. The extracted
Consider an indicator which is a weak acid, with the methanolic hydrochloric acid petals extract of flowers used
formula Hin. At equilibrium, the following equilibrium and it shows green to colorless appearance at end point. [11]
equation is established with its conjugate base:
3. Butea monosperma (Fabaceae)
1Guru Ramdas Khalsa Institute of Science and Technology (Pharmacy),
Kurmi B D et al. (2011) and A Vyas et al. (2012) examined
Jabalpur-483001, M. P., India.
E-mail: mr.pks19@gmail.com Butea monosperma for its acid base indicator activity against
*Corresponding author phenolphthalein, methyl red [7] and methyl orange [12] as

Inventi Rapid: Planta Activa Vol. 2013, Issue 3 1 2013 ppa 257, CCC: $10 © Inventi Journals (P) Ltd
[ISSN 2278-411X] Published on Web 17/04/2013, www.inventi.in
 REVIEW ARTICLE

standard indicator. The macerated ethanolic petals extract of 10.Ixora coccinea (Rubiaceae)
flowers used and it shows colorless to yellow for strong acid Deshpande A et al. (2010) evaluated The flower extract of
v/s strong base, weak acid v/s weak base and weak acid v/s Ixora coccinea for its use as an acid base indicator in
strong base while it turns yellow to colorless for strong acid various acid base titrations, and reported results of this
and weak base appearance at end point. [7, 12] screening compared with the results obtained by standard
indicators methyl orange, mixed indicator [methyl orange:
4. Calendula officinalis (Compositae) bromocresol green (0.1:0.2)] for strong acid v/s strong
Vyas A et al. (2012) evaluated Calendula officinalis for its base (HCl and NaOH), Strong acid v/s weak base (HCl and
acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein and NH4OH), weak acid v/s strong base (Oxalic acid and
methyl red [7] as standard indicator. The macerated NaOH), and weak acid v/s weak base (Oxalic acid and
ethanolic petals extract of flowers used and it shows NH4OH) titrations green to pink and blue to pink color
colorless to yellow for strong acid v/s strong base, weak respectively at end point. [17]
acid v/s weak base and weak acid v/s strong base while it
turns yellow to colorless for strong acid and weak base 11. Jacaranda acutifolia (Bignoniaceae)
appearance at end point. [7] Patrakar R et al. (2010) evaluated Jacaranda acutifolia for
its acid base indicator activity against methyl red,
5. Careya arborea (Lecythidaceae) phenolphthalein and mixed indicator [methyl orange:
Wadkar K A et al. (2008) reported Careya arborea for its bromocresol green (0.1:0.2)] for strong acid methyl red as
acid base indicator activity against phenolphthalein as standard indicator. The extracted methanolic hydrochloric
standard indicator. The macerated methanolic leaves acid petals extract of flowers used and it shows green to
extract of plant used and it shows yellow to reddish brown colorless appearance at end point. [18]
appearance at end point. [13]
12. Morus alba (Moraceae)
6. Dahlia pinnata (Asteraceae) Pathade K S et al. (2009) examined Morus alba for its acid
Sharma P et al. (2013) and Jain P et al. (2012) examined base indicator activity against phenolphthalein and methyl
Dahlia pinnata for its acid base indicator activity against red as standard indicator. The macerated methanolic petals
extract of flowers used and it shows blue to pink color
phenolphthalein, methyl orange [1, 14] and phenol red [1] as
against both synthetic indicators at end point. [19]
standard indicator. The macerated hydro alcoholic 40:60 [4]
Aq. and methanolic [1] petals extract of flowers used and it
13. Phyllanthus reticulates (Euphorbiaceae)
shows colorless to yellow for strong acid v/s strong base,
Jadhav R L. (2012) evaluated Phyllanthus reticulates for its
weak acid v/s strong base while it turns yellow to colorless
acid base indicator activity against methyl red,
for weak base with strong acid and weak acid and weak
phenolphthalein and mixed indicator [methyl orange:
base titration within pH range 3-5 against methyl orange
bromocresol green (0.1:0.2)] for strong acid methyl red as
(ethanolic extract). Methanolic and aq. Extract possesses
standard indicator. The extracted ethanolic hydrochloric
orange to wine red, pink to red yellow and orange to yellow
acid fruits extract of flowers used and it shows red to
color at end point. [1, 4] colorless and wine red to violet black appearance at end
point respectively. [20]
7. Helianthus annus (Asteraceae)
Patil S B et al. (2009) evaluated Helianthus annus for its 14.Punica granatum (Punicaceae)
acid base indicator activity against standard indicator. The Raj N R et al. (2011) performed acid base indicator activity
macerated methanolic petals extract of flowers used and it of methanolic seed extract of Punica granatum against
shows Faint blue to faint yellow appearance at end point. [14] Phenolphthalein, Methyl Red and Phenol Red as standard
indicator. The macerated methanolic seeds extract shows
8. Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Malvaceae) pink to colorless appearance at end point. [5]
Jain P et al. (2012) identified and determined Hibiscus rosa
sinensis for its acid base indicator activity against CONCLUSION
phenolphthalein, methyl orange and phenol red as This review shows the analytical importance of various
standard indicator. The macerated methanolic and aqueous plants extract as acid base indicator against harmful, costly
petals extract of flowers used and it shows colorless to and hazardous synthetic indicator for titrimetry analysis.
yellow for strong acid v/s strong base, weak acid v/s weak This review strongly recommend that the dye and extract
base and weak acid v/s strong base while it turns Pink to from plants can be used as alternative to various synthetic
greenish yellow appearance at end point. [15-16] pH indicator during titrimetric analysis as an indicator in
all types of acid base titrations because of its economy,
9. Ipomoea biloba (Convolvulaceae) simplicity and wild availability.
Abbas S K (2012) examined Ipomoea biloba for its acid base
indicator activity against phenolphthalein as standard REFERENCES AND NOTES
indicator. The macerated aqueous petals extract of flowers 1. Jain P. Dahlia Flower Sap A Natural Resource As Indicator In
used and it shows bright red, light red, pale red and dark Acidimetry And Alkalimetry, International Journal of
green appearance at end point respectively. [6] Pharmacy & Technology, 4(4):5038-5045, 2013.

Inventi Rapid: Planta Activa Vol. 2013, Issue 3 2 2013 ppa 257, CCC: $10 © Inventi Journals (P) Ltd
[ISSN 2278-411X] Published on Web 17/04/2013, www.inventi.in
 REVIEW ARTICLE

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12. Kurmi B D. Butea Monosperma Flower Extract: A Natural Cite this article as: Prabhakar Sharma, Ramchandra
Indicator For Acid Base Titration, Inventi Rapid: Pharm Gupta, Sunil Roshan et al.. Plant Extracts as Acid Base
Analysis & Quality Assurance, 2011, Article Id- " Indicator: An Overview. Inventi Rapid: Planta Activa,
Inventi:PAQA/160/11, 2011, 2013(3): 1-3, 2013.
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Inventi Rapid: Planta Activa Vol. 2013, Issue 3 3 2013 ppa 257, CCC: $10 © Inventi Journals (P) Ltd
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