THE FEASIBLITY OF USING INDIGENOUS DYESTUFF IN THE PRODUCTION OF

HIGHLIGHTER INKS

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using indigenous dyestuff in producing
quality highlighter inks. Three plants were chosen as sources of dyes – the San Francisco leaf, flower of
gumamela, or shoeflower (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), and the luyang dilaw, or yellow ginger, or turmeric
(Curcuma longa). In order to extract the dyes, the plants were boiled. Ink production using the San
Francisco dye was continued since it was observed to be the most stable among the samples.
Inks with different ratios of dye (solute) to water (solvent) were produced. The solutions were
tested on paper. A survey was done on which treatment students preferred. The samples were judge based
on a set of criteria which included evenness of color, drying time, smearing, odor, and texture of paper after
marking.
It was also observed that in some criteria, such as odor and smearing, the ink that was produced
using indigenous dyestuffs was considered acceptable. It was then concluded that indigenous dyestuff
could be used to produce highlighter inks, though some improvements could still be made in the production
of the ink.

INTRODUCTION

Branded highlighters are relatively expensive because the materials used in manufacturing them
are imported from other countries. Also, the synthetic chemical components present in the ink may be
harmful to humans and the environment. These are the primary reasons why there is a need to look for
alternative sources of substances used to make inks.
This experiment aims to develop a product that would serve as an alternative for expensive and
environmentally hazardous commercial markers. The study deals only with highlighter ink using plant
components. Not all of the experimental inks may be made purely of plant materials. A mixture of existing
synthetic materials and experimental plant materials may be used depending on the clarity desired.
Feasibility tests done were semi-quantitatively due to unavailability and inaccessibility of testing
equipment.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Ink is a pigment substance of viscous consistency and liquid state used for writing, printing, or
drawing. All inks contain four basic components: the colorant, which contains the pigment; the vehicle
wherein the color is dispersed; the additives for binding the ink to the surface and preserving its color; and
the solvent.
The initial steps in creating ink are boiling (70º to 80ºC) of water and addition of glycol, dye,
wetting agent and phenol. After pouring the ingredients, the ink is then cooled to ambient temperature then
filtered under vacuum or through filter press. This process shall be the basis of the experiments.
A dye is a natural or synthetic substance used to color various materials, especially textiles,
leather, and food. Natural dyes are obtained from plants, animals, and some materials that occur naturally.
These have been almost entirely replaced in modern dying by synthetic dyes. Most of these are prepared
from coal tar, being formed from aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, from which indigo is derived, or
anthracene, which yields alizarin. Alizarin is a mordant dye and the color it yields depends upon the
mordant used. Some materials like silk or wool can be colored simply by being dipped in dye, which is a
kind of direct dye, while others, including cotton, commonly require the use of mordant.
The San Francisco leaves, the gumamela, and the luyang dilaw contain green, red, and yellow
pigments respectively. These dyes are used for coloring paper and textile since they are thin and
transparent.
 A mordant is a chemical substance which, when added to plant dyes, modifies or completely
transforms its color. Those mordants which may be safely used in testing for colors are: citric acid (lemon
juice), acetic acid (vinegar), and bicarbonate (washing soda). The amount of mordant to be used depends
upon the specific hue desired. There is no need to use a mordant if modification of color is not required,
although the addition of mordant significantly increases the plant’s color potential.
Extracting color or dye may be done by soaking and boiling the plant material for about 20
minutes in order to release its color when exposed to a temperature of more than 80ºC, so boiling is not
advisable.
Soft or artificially softened water (obtained by adding washing soda) allows plants to produce
more color. Many plants, however, produce dyes that are simply too dull, weak, or impractical to use.
Although most dyes used today are nontoxic, the effluent from dyeing processes can be harmful to
the environment. Wastewater from dyeing contains unused dye and other chemicals. Our laws require
textile plants to treat wastewater before discharging them.

METHODOLOGY

The San Francisco leaves, luyang dilaw, and the gumamela were washed, chopped, and then
weighed (all done separately for each sample). The equipment for dye extraction, such as blender, hot plate,
steam bath, triple beam balance, and beakers, were also prepared. At the same time, used pen casings were
collected and drained of their ink. The samples were then dried in the oven in preparation for the
preliminary testing.
The samples were dissolved in water and observed for color solubility and stability. The resulting
colors of the samples were also noted. It was observed that the extract from the San Francisco leaves is the
most stable among the three sources.
The San Francisco extract was diluted with water in the ratio of 1ml (water): 4 grams (extract) and
1ml (water): 2 grams (extract). The solution was ground using mortar and pestle to obtain the desired
texture. At the same time, the water was heated at about 70º to 80ºC. the ethylene glycol, dye, wetting
agent, and phenol were then gradually added to the mixture. The ink was allowed to cool.
Before placing the ink in marker casings, the mixture was tested on paper. The ink was observed
for (1) texture of the paper after marking, (2) evenness of color, (3) smearing, and (4) odor.
The inks were put into felt-tipped casings of various sizes. The pens were applied on different
textures of paper in order to test their efficiency. Five rankings were made for four different characteristics:
color, quality, texture of paper after marking, odor, and ink consistency on paper.
The Friedmann’s Test was used to test the significance of the null hypothesis. The null hypothesis
states that there is no significant difference between commercial marker inks and the experimental marker
ink.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

RECOMMENDATION

Other indigenous dye-yielding plants may also be tested. Other pigments with stronger color may
be in other plant sources.