WATER SPINACH (IPOMOEA AQUATICA FORSSK) FLOWER PIGMENT

EXTRACT AS ECO-FRIENDLY INK

____________________

A Thesis
Presented to the
Faculty of the Senior High School
E.C. Bernabe National High School
Bagac, Bataan

____________________

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

____________________

by:

JOSE GABRIEL P. MANLAPAZ

December 2022

CHAPTER I
 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

As per the recent post-pandemic opening of academic institutions worldwide,

face to face classes is now established. Since then, the use of instruments like pens,

printers, highlighters, markers, and paint materials for printing, art, or calligraphy

have become more prominent in school areas. The above mentioned make use of a

fluid substance called ink, that depending on its compounds used can pose harm to the

environment and its inhabitants.

Subsequently, synthetically made products achieve modern top-grade quality

by utilizing chemicals. Under the 12th Sustainable Development Goal: Responsible

Consumption and Production; chemicals are said to be an essential part of modern-

day life (UNEP, 2013). Daily necessities bought from stores that are typically

manufactured from factories, although convenient, give way for dangers caused by

artificial substances.

In line with the rampant use and demand of synthetic colors everywhere,

mainly for its convenience, substitutes made from common natural materials have no

room for spotlight. Stated in the revised Presidential Decree 984 or Republic Act 3931

of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines; to ensure that the nation’s resources are

used as efficiently as possible, it is therefore declared to be a national policy to avoid,

reduce, and manage pollution of the land, water, and air. Plant inks instead, can

provide aid to minimize environmental contamination and maximize frugality of

ample earth sources.

mainly due to chlorophyll, similarly from flowers however, carotenoids, flavonoids,

and betalains are additionally included that contribute to the wide variety of floral

colors (Lee, 2007; Narbona et al., 2021). Though in spite of these hue determining

compounds being harmless, nearly all natural alternative variations yield poor grade

quality. This leaves environment-friendly colorants a lower chance to make use of.

Water spinach (Ipomoea Aquatica Forssk) or called kangkong by locals in the

Philippines, can be mostly seen near freshwater sources, it may be floating on rivers,

lakes, seen at swamps, or wet muddy lands, partly as it is to some extent an aquatic

plant. With numerous species, be that as it may, it is safe for intake, but due to large

quantities and lack of attention, it is wasted or overlooked.

According to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance 2019 No.3

Agricultural Waste of Bataan; wastes produced during agricultural planting, crop

harvesting, plant trimming or pruning, as well as waste or run-off from farms or fields

(RA 9003). Undoubtedly, addressing unreasonable solitary use of herbage wastes in

part of most abundant nature sources worth being none of concern by the public eye.

To similar conducted organic inks or even current colorant from things made

from what nature provides from its surroundings, kangkong flower as ink has yet to

have been delved into. Contrary to that, most organic inks lack quality by modern day

writing, printing, and art usability standards, in contrast to usual daily modern

necessities normally seen and used day by day.

With these in mind, the main objective of this study is in context, to further

give way for in depth botanical kangkong flower ink exploration. In addition, it will

prove to contribute additional botanical ink literature or knowledge. Practical

to minimize excess botanical and reduce synthetic color wastes.

Statement of the Problem

The objective of the study is to determine and explore unknown compatibility

of water spinach flower pigment as a color component.

The researcher is aiming to answer the following statements below:

1. What will be the effects of immersing the water spinach flower color

component in water and soil compared with its synthetic counterpart?

2. What lacking qualities will the extracted pigment display as is?

A. Fluidity

B. Drying

C. Texture

D. Saturation

E. Permanence

3. What distinct outcomes will water spinach ink exploration contribute in the

shallow botanical field?

Significance of the Study

The usability is of the following:

Inhabitants this study will alley hazardous dangers chemical contamination

pose to health via consumption or contact to animals that may be humans drinking

from direct or indirect water, animals or even plants that are incapable of filtering

these chemicals.
 Environment this study will provide assistance to minimize environmental

contamination solely caused by chemicals found on synthetic colorants.

Other Researchers this study will contribute additional literature about water

spinach for botanical color field exploration and serve as a stepping stone for

upcoming related studies.

Scope and Delimitation

In the Philippines specifically on wetlands, water spinach can be found which

will be utilized in this study. However, with the gradual development due to

modernization it is rarely available in some developed areas as it needs dense watery

areas. Contrary to addressing contamination especially caused by chemicals found on

synthetic inks, relevant aid although small can only be offered by its eco-friendly

alternative. These alternatives are usually incapable of contending to higher current

quality grade standards but will be proved to be beneficial to the environment and its

inhabitants. Devised to explore with the limited exploratory time frame of 6 to 7

months of the remaining school year fitted in the school activity time intended to be

recreationally made by a graduating student that can choose to be only during when or

off the allotted deadline time.

Notes in Chapter I

UNEP (2013) Global Chemicals Outlook - Towards Sound Management of

Chemicals | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.-b).

https://sdgs.un.org/publications/global-chemicals-outlook-towards-sound-

management-chemicals-17941
Presidential Decree No. 984, s. 1976 GOVPH. (1976, August 18). Official Gazette of

the Republic of the Philippines.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1976/08/18/presidential-decree-no-984-s-1976/

Li, B. J., Zheng, B. Q., Wang, J. Y., Tsai, W. C., Lu, H. C., Zou, L. H., Wan, X.,

Zhang, D. Y., Qiao, H. J., Liu, Z. J., & Wang, Y. (2020). New insight into the

molecular mechanism of colour differentiation among floral segments in orchids.

Communications Biology, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-0821-8

2019 – SP Ordinance No. 03 – Bataan.gov.ph. (n.d.).

https://www.bataan.gov.ph/government-officials/sp-ordinances/2019-sp-ordinance-

no-03

CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This chapter presents the relevant theories, related literature studies,

conceptual framework, and paradigm, assumptions of the research, and definition of

terms which have bearings and importance in this study.

Relevant Theories

The present study was conceptualized all together along with the ground

support of Paul T. Anastas’s Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice (1998), and Franz

Von Solvet’s Extraction Theory (1879).

application of a set of guidelines that minimizes or prevents the use of hazardous

materials in development, production, and use of chemical substances. To reduce

energy use, and waste, to use renewable raw materials, create biodegradable products,

and choose chemicals to lessen likely accidents.

With the 12 principles named in the following Waste Prevention being the first

one which from the name itself advocates that prevention is better than cure. Atom

Economy is the amount of atoms in a particular product and emphasizes reducing

materials for better reaction efficiency the chemical has influence on. Use of the

design for the environment (DFE) label on about 1,000 products that are reformulated

to be environmentally safer, cost competitive and effective represents a discount of

quite 270 million pounds of chemicals of concern (Ahire et al., 2021).

Less hazardous Chemical Synthesis considers the utmost chemical reactions to

be as safe as possible. Designing Safer Chemicals goes back right before the process

and the motives are to plan at the molecular level before proceeding to take

experimentations.

Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries prioritize making the safest solvent available

for these make up a large percentile of the net waste created. Design for Energy

Efficiency chooses the most efficient chemical processing method. Use of Renewable

Feedstocks make use of chemicals from renewable sources like from botanical

materials rather than petrochemical sources.

Reduce Derivatives protecting groups prevent alteration of certain parts of a

molecule’s structure during a chemical reaction to be able to remain intact but states

that the use of these protecting groups produce further byproduct wastes. Catalysis
refrains using stoichiometric reagents as catalysts outclasses it by waste, energy

efficiency.

Designing for Degradation that products should be broken down by the

environment given that it should not be toxic and be persistent to be broken down that

can cause biomass accumulate. Real Time Pollution Prevention undergoes monitoring

chemical reactions to prevent further release into the environment. Safer Chemistry

for Accident Prevention being the last 12th principle, its main goal is to make

chemical procedures to be safer as possible.

Green chemistry for chemical synthesis addresses our future challenges in

working with chemical processes and products by inventing novel reactions which

will maximize the specified products and minimize by products, designing new

synthetic schemes and apparatus which will simplify operations in chemical

productions, and seeking greener solvents that are inherently environmentally and

ecologically benign.

In this study on developing the water spinach flower ink the guidelines

provided by the principles will provide as its basis in ensuring safety whilst procedure

in its own compounds or in introducing foreign compounds for pilot testing of

improvised homemade ink.

Franz Von Solvet’s Extraction Theory (1879) that has 3 ways: the solvent

extraction which uses a solvent to take extraction in place. Distillation method in

wherein instruments is used via temperature in between vapor phase and liquid phase.

Pressing also makes use of a clamping or smashing machine that involves

pressurizing until the content liquid is separated. And sublimation is a process in

be made by knowing

The type of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (rough or smooth). However, for most

of the gut bacterial species, the nature of the LPS has never been explored. Therefore,

both extraction techniques here described are recommended to be done sequentially

Molly Dorothy Pither et al (2023).

The attempt of utilizing the water spinach pigment will be related to the

extraction theory. In which a solvent is used to extract organic compounds from a

solid material. Similarly, on how the colors will be separated from the flower. It can

be related and applied by when the color on the plant is bonded on a physical

structure. Formulating a novel safe chronological application extraction technique of

water spinach flower pigment.

Related Studies

Many foreign and local studies will be further discussed in the present

research leading to the formulation of appropriate procedures to be taken as these

studies for foundation in the extraction of water spinach flower pigment.

Foreign Studies

More than 500 plants that produce color are a gift from nature. Due to the

prohibition on the production of several synthetic dyes in industrialized nations due to

environmental pollution issues, India is a significant exporter of herbal dyes Lagad

(2014). This study Herbal ink: Safe, Easy and Ecofriendly Alternative (2014), had the

goal of making a herbal link which is claimed to be less harmful than non-toxic

alternatives.
 Namely composing ingredients of saffron, beet root, annatto, elderberry,

pandan, butterfly pea, turmeric. A few plant species such as Beta Valgaris (Beet Root)

family Chenopodiaceae, Citrus Limonene (Citrus peel) family Rutaceae, Amelanchier

Arborea (Butterfly Flower petals), Bauhinia Purpurea (Butterfly tree) family

Caesalpiniaceae were chosen for the preparation of herbal ink.

The mentioned study will prove to be a basis as the composition of one of the

ingredients Amelanchier Arborea (Butterfly Flower petals), is related to the water

spinach flower. Similarly, this study also aims to minimize environmental pollution

by chemicals.

Novel Mangosteen-Leaves-Based Marker Ink: Color Lightness, Viscosity,

Optimized Composition, and Microstructural Analysis (2021). The aim of the study

was to study the effect of glycerol and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on the color

lightness and viscosity of mangosteen-leaves-based marker ink. Also, the surface

morphology and cell structure during dye extraction.

This study allowed the correlation of glycerol and CMC therefore allowing

efficiency to be applied by further trials. The two compounds on the surface

morphology and cell structure state while under heat for extraction, made way for

knowing what glycerol and CMC achieved while combined in the process of

extraction.

In this present study, application of the surface morphology and cell structure

like the cell wall and epidermal state will be monitored for trials to examine the

maximal efficiency according to its condition without glycerol and CMC. The

examination in accordance with the study mentioned as the shriveling or bursting of

the cell affects dye quality.

kangkong) (2011). The concentration of alkaloids was determined using the method

of Haslam (1966). The methods of Harborne (1973) were employed in the

determination of flavonoids, glycosides, phenol, tannin, βcarotene, cyanogenic

glycosides, steroids, saponins, reducing sugars and soluble carbohydrates.

It is vital for the knowledge of the chemical composition of kangkong (water

spinach) in which the flower of the plant is utilized. As this will serve as a foundation

for the planning and making of a biodegradable ink. These compounds will be the

major components of the product.

Local Studies

Formulation of Organic Ink Using Ipomoea Batatas L. (Sweet Potato) Leaves

and Basella Alba L. (Malabar Spinach) Fruits (2019). In this study they collected their

materials in specific areas of Barangay Bangkud, and Managok, Malabay City,

Bukidnon, Philippines. As there are high supplies of the materials they used and made

a formula for improving the improvised ink from the parts of the plant leaves and

fruits.

The study went through trials and one of those is the stability or shelf-life test

on the inks. This is the fundamental delimiting factor of the organic inks, which

decompose over a long time, and the study with foreign substances introduced. The

sweet potato gave off a strong odor on the 4th week, while the Malabar spinach on the

2nd week gave a moderate odor. Taking these in account will serve as an area to

improve considering water spinach flowers will prove to contribute to the botanical

ink field.
 Banana and Santan Leaf Sap as Alternative Ingredients for Ink Production

(2017). In this study Banana and Santan leaf saps were the main components. They

boiled the Santan leaf first and strain in order to remove the unwanted particles and

leaves. The Santan had a very light pink color and opacity in addition to the food

color they used to further enhance color. While the banana on the other hand had no

color and almost transparent opacity.

The study can be related as a basis on the extraction method. The boiling

method did not show effectiveness on separating the pigment effectively. In which the

present study will be utilizing different methods for exploring the effectiveness of

each method.

The General Acceptability of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus Undatus) Extract as an

Alternative Ink for Ballpoint Bells (2018). In the given study, the ink was incapable of

erasing and that it can dry easily by 30 respondents and a 50% agreeing response with

also an 83% that it was readable by statistics.

Given most pens are not erasable, the study proved to be significant

considering it was made from an organic material. It can be connected to this study by

giving additional knowledge to the boiling extraction method. The medium was

boiling, and at 100 degrees or the boiling point, showing effectiveness as it is

readable.

Foreign Literature

Botanical Illustration Techniques (2015). Pencil and ink are unquestionably

the most fundamental and accessible technique for illustrators. This method has been

utilized by artists who have been creating drawings for millennia to decorate and
write in books. Despite the fact that modern technology gives us limitless choices, the

fundamental illustration techniques of pencil, ink, and watercolor have remained

popular over time. This fundamental illustration style must incorporate key elements

including line, tone, color, texture, form, and scale (Gurdal Pamuklu, 2014).

The article can be related to when the product will be applied on a surface

sample. Example the gouache paint technique where it is thinned by water with

watercolor added as drops while constantly mixed with paint. Presenting the ink at its

best with technique will give better sample quality.

On the Maintained Significance of Botanical Illustration in Modern Plant

Identification Guides (2018). The importance of botanical illustrations to botanical

teaching must be determined. Evaluating the value of illustration to contemporary

botanical science since, notwithstanding the Although the relationship between the

two currently appears to be minimal, botanical science has been greatly influenced by

as an example throughout its growth Andi Kur (2018).

Given the water spinach plant neither its flower has yet to be illustrated or

available publicly, the importance of illustrating figures will be marked as records as

the relativity of each flower will be observed. Every novel discovery of detail will be

recorded for inspection of the qualities of the flower.

Determining Factors of Flower Development (2022). This article states

numerous hypotheses have been put forth to explain the functions of flower

coloration, such as pollinator attraction, protection from herbivory, and defense

against UV damage. The diversity and distribution of flower coloration has received a

great deal of attention due to its puzzling nature and extensive study.
 The information of factors that influence flower development will be

significant as the same plant is different from place to place as the environment is also

different. Set conditions with the functions of the flower also developed, mainly color

development can affect the ink pigment outcome.

Local Literature
Eco-efficiency and Sustainability: An Analysis for the Philippines (2023)

explores the effect of energy and carbon dioxide emissions, and population growth on

the gross domestic product (GDP) in the Philippines. With the environmental

degradation derived from poor economic development. It suggests that there must be

actions to reduce these.

The article can be connected to this study as there are relations of the water

spinach as plant and as an ink. Paving way for a harmless water spinach ink against

the environment will prove to be beneficial. Exploring the water spinach flower will

be open for further development.

A Glimpse to Botanical Garden: Case Study in the Environment and

Ecological Niche of Molave Tree (2022) the molave tree in the Botanical Garden of

University of the Philippines Los Banos has a vital role in controlling the balance of

the ecosystems together with the living organisms in the area and must be sustained

and protected.

It goes the same for the mass quantity of water spinach roaming around watery

areas, as it invades the environment and prevents it from functioning efficiently. The

possible introduction of the usability of water spinach can help balance the

environment diversity.

The Living Amongst the Dead: Floral Distribution and Diversity of Alien and

Native Plants in Cebu Memorial Park, Cebu City, Philippines (2022) this conducted

the first floral survey (local plants and alien plants) at an urban cemetery in Metro
Cebu, researchers were able to quantify floral species richness (N), abundance (n),

evenness (PE), and diversity (H' and D).

The distribution of floral species and the connections between the abundance

of floral species and human activity were then assessed. A total of 61 floral species

(n=1,515) were identified, with a substantially higher percentage of APs (n=53;

86.88%) than NPS (n=8; 13.11%). Simpson's Diversity index was 0.16, Pielou's

Evenness was 0.65, and the Shannon-Wiener Diversity index was 2.69. It established

a foundation for further research and conservation efforts by offering the first data on

floral species in Metro Cebu, Philippines.

Connecting this study as a contribution will further deepen the literature water

spinach flower falls under. The water spinach is home to southeast asia and one of

them is in the Philippines. The origin of the invasive plant will serve as aliens in other

places in the world.

Notes in Chapter II

Anastas, P. T., & Warner, J. C. (2000). Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice.

Oxford University Press, USA.

Molly Pither, Alba Silipo, Flaviana Di Lorenzo, & Antonio Molinario (2023).
Extraction, Purification, and Chemical Degradation of LPS from Gut Microbiota
Strains. (PDF) Extraction, Purification, and Chemical Degradation of LPS from Gut
Microbiota Strains (researchgate.net)

S. (2019, May 25). Final paper  formulation of organic ink using ipomoea batatas.

https://www.slideshare.net/SukhpreetSingh164/final-paper-formulation-of-

organic-ink-using-ipomoea-batatas
G. (n.d.). FINAL-RESEARCH-PAPER (1).docx - PDFCOFFEE.COM. pdfcoffee.com.

https://pdfcoffee.com/final-research-paper-1docx-pdf-free.html

G. (n.d.-b). The General Acceptability of Dragon Fruit Extract as an Alternative Ink

for Ballpoint Pens - PDFCOFFEE.COM. pdfcoffee.com.

https://pdfcoffee.com/the-general-acceptability-of-dragon-fruit-extract-as-an-

alternative-ink-for-ballpoint-pens-pdf-free.html

Powar, P., Lagad, S., Ambikar, R., & Sharma, P. (2014, January 1). Herbal ink: Safe,

easy and ecofriendly alternative. ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298702756_Herbal_ink_Safe_easy_

and_ecofriendly_alternative

Basri, M. a. M., Ren, B. L. M., Talib, R. A., Zakaria, R., & Kamarudin, S. K. (2021).

Novel Mangosteen-Leaves-Based Marker Ink: Color Lightness, Viscosity,

Optimized Composition, and Microstructural Analysis. Polymers, 13(10),

1581. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13101581

Igwenyi, I., Offor, O., Obinna, A., & Aja, P. M. (2011, October 1). Chemical

Composition of Ipomea aquatica (Green kangkong). ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236335764_Chemical_Composition

_of_Ipomea_aquatica_Green_kangkong)
Pamuklu, A. G., & Dursin, A. (2016). Botanical illustration techniques. New Trends

and Issues Proceedings on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(1), 298–302.

https://doi.org/10.18844/prosoc.v2i1.311

Andi Kur (2018). On the maintained significance of botanical illustration in modern

plant identification guides. On the maintained significance of botanical

illustration in modern plant identification guides (utc.edu)

Erickson, M. F., & Pessoa, D. M. (2022). Determining factors of flower coloration.

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