THE INVENTION OF A SIMPLE ACID-BASE TEST KIT USING REAGENT EXTRACTED FROM LEAVES LOVE PLANT

Abstract

This research aimed to study the reagent extracted from the leaves of the love plant (Oxalis triangularis A. St. Hil.) and to apply this reagent as an acid-base detection test kit. The test kit was fabricated by modifying the reagent on filter paper (No. 1) for ease of observation. The filter paper was cut into sizes 1 centimeter wide and 5 centimeters long, weighed for 2 grams, and then soaked in 100 milliliters of reagent for 24 hours. Then, the modified filter papers were dried in a desiccator for 24 hours and called FP-love plants. Then, the FP-love plant was used for determination of pH of buffer solution (pH 1–14). The results showed that the different colors of the FP-love plant were clearly depended on pH value of the solutions after 5 minutes of reaction time. Then, the FP-love plant was applied to determine pH of commercial products. It was found that the color change of FP-love plant was correlated with the results from pH-meters and pH indicator strips. Moreover, this research could present the usefulness of using local plant extract as an acid-base indicator kit with simple operation, cost-effectiveness, and environmental safety.