CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

These days, because of the economic crisis the world is experiencing today, prices of

necessities and needs of people are rising and becoming more expensive. Laboratory

equipment and apparatuses are also becoming more expensive that some science schools

cannot afford. These equipment and apparatuses are very important to the students because

during these laboratory experiments they will experience and see the realities on what

happens to things discussed by the teachers. An example of these experiments is the

classification of substances whether acidic, basic or neutral where acid-base indicator plays a

significant role.

Acid-base indicators are substances that undergo color change that is specific to

different ranges on pH scale (Grolier, 2006). A great example of this is litmus papers. They

are usual indicators used in laboratories and school laboratories. These are absorbent papers

treated with litmus, a dye obtained from various lichens that will turn red by acid and blue by

base (Friedman, 2004). There are also acid-base indicators that are natural. Examples of these

are red cabbage, grape juice, strawberries, blueberries and many more. They are cheaper,

easier to find and also easy to use. The researcher would like to find out whether papaya

(Carica papaya Linn.) leaves extract can also be a good indicator and a good substitute to the

expensive acid-base indicators.

B. Statement of the Problem

Students need laboratory equipment and apparatuses for laboratory activities and

practical experiments like an acid-base indicator. The researcher would like to find out if the

papaya leaves extract can be used as an acid-base indicator.

This study must answer the following questions:

1) What is the resulting color of the papaya leaf extract when used in:

a) Acidic substances

b) Basic substances

c) Neutral substances

2) Is the chart of color change of the papaya leaf extract qualitatively comparable to

commercially available acid-base indicators?

C. Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study are to:

1. To determine the resulting color of the papaya leaf extract when used in

a) Acidic substances

b) Basic substances

c) Neutral substances

2. To find out whether the chart of color change is qualitatively comparable to

commercial acid-base indicators available today.

D. Hypotheses

1. The papaya leaf extract cannot be used as an acid-base indicator

 2. The color change of the extract is not qualitatively comparable to the

commercially available acid-base indicators

E. Significance of the Study

We are experiencing global economic crisis these days. There is non-stop increase of

prices of goods and products from all sorts of fields, be it be industrial, commercial,

agricultural, etc. including the laboratory equipment like litmus paper.

As an alternative, we can make use of plants that are easy to find in the surroundings

to be made as acid-base indicator and papaya leaves can be utilized.

By these natural acid-base indicators, it will be a great contribution and help to the

students, chemists and teachers who can’t afford the expensive indicators.

F. Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study focuses on utilization of papaya leaves extract as an acid-base indicator

testing it on common known household substances, and only color will be qualitatively

compared with commercial indicators. It also focuses on collection of samples regardless of

its maturity but not using dried leaves. This study was performed during the school year

2009- 2010 at the MSU-IIT Integrated Developmental School. The papaya leaf samples are

collected in Iligan City.

G. Definition of Terms
Acid a compound containing hydrogen which, dissolved in water, provides hydrogen ions

and a molecule or ion which can give up protons to a base

(Friedman, 2004)

Base a substance which, dissolved in water, provides hydroxyl ions from its own molecules

and a molecule or ion which can accept protons (Friedman,

2004)

Neutralization the act or process of forming a salt from the reaction of an acid

with a base (Friedman, 2004)

pH denoting the negative logarithm of the hydrogen-ion concentration, in grams per liter

of a solution used in expressing relative acidity and alkalinity

(Marckwardt, 1995)

pH scale used to determine if the substance is acidic or basic and to

ascertain its strength (Bato Balani, 2002)

Titration a technique in which a known acid or base is added drop by

drop to an unknown base or acid until neutrality is achieved

(Grolier, 2006)