Natural Dyes from Plants in Producing Colored Paste

Abstract:

Paste is a type of glue made from starch or dextrin, a starch product. This investigatory project shows that we can produce our own colored paste without spending much time and money and by performing simple steps. That’s why this Science Investigatory Project can help students save their money instead of spending it in buying expensive and commercialized colored glue. In addition, this colored paste can be an additional source of income. It’s not just affordable; it’s also safe and non-toxic because the ingredients used are starch, water, natural dyes from plants and alum. Alum is used as preservative to prolong the shelf-life of the paste. Natural dyes from plants like Annatto seeds, mayana and turmeric were tested as coloring for this paste. We can also use other coloring from plants by researching and do further study to improve the quality of this colored paste.


Introduction:

Background of the Study:

Nowadays our country has big problem about our economy. Everyone to solve it, but what do you think are the possible ways to prevent his crisis? I suggest that being practical is one of the solution to this problem. As students, we can be practical by using our knowledge instead of wasting our money. These projects do not need much time and money because we can make our own colored paste within a short period of time. The basic ingredients are water, alum, natural dye from plants and cassava starch. Starch glue is the general name for adhesives made from wheat, starch, potato starch, cornstarch or cassava starch modified with acids, alkalies or oxidizing agents. I used alum in this project to prolong the shelf life of the paste and also to let the paste not to be spoiled easily. The coloring that we used in this experiment is the seeds of Annatto (BIXA ORELLANA Linn). The seeds of the Annatto are used locally for coloring food. The coloring matter of the fruit, Annatto is employed commercially for coloring butter and in preparation of various polishers for russet leather. I also tested the roots of turmeric (Curcuma Longa Linn.) as coloring. The rhizomes of turmeric, or dilau, are commonly sold in the Manila markets, and are used as a condiment as ingredients of curry powder, and for coloring food and other materials.


Statement of the Problem:

This study sought to answer the following problems:

1. Can we produce colored paste out of cassava starch, water, alum and natural dyes from plants like Annatto seeds, mayana and roots of turmeric?
2. Is the proposed paste safe to use?
3. What is the best preservative that can be used in the colored paste?


Hypothesis:

1. We can produce colored paste out of cassava starch, natural dyes from plants like Annatto seeds, mayana and roots of turmeric, alum and water.
2. The proposed paste is safe to use.
3. Alum is the best preservative for colored paste.


Significance of the Study:

The significance of the study I that we can produce colored paste without wasting much time and money. For example, your house is very far from the bookstore and there is no available colored glue in the store near to your house and you need to design a birthday card. You can produce colored paste instead of traveling very far from your house to the bookstore just to buy expensive colored glues. This project can help not only students but also those who don’t have permanent job because it can be additional source of income.


Objective of the Study:

The objectives of this study are:

1. To make a cheaper colored paste.
2. To make a non toxic and safe paste.
3. To lessen the burden of the students who undergo financial difficulties on how to budget their money.


Scope and Delimitations:

This Study has the following scope and delimitations:

1. This study used only Annatto seeds, mayana and turmeric as the coloring.

In my first experiment, I used the leaves of mayana as coloring but the color varied after one day. I have already tried to use flowers as coloring but the paste hardens because I put it in the jar without waiting for it to cool.

2. This is produced only to have instant colored paste.


Review of Related Literature:

Starch may be further processed into such products as dextrin.

Starch glue is the general name for adhesives made from wheat starch, potato starch, or cassava starch modified with acids, alkalies, or oxidizing agents, it has poor resistance to moisture.

Commercial is obtained from the starch of tapioca, maize and sweet potatoes.

The halogen elements (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine) also serve as oxidizing agents. When chloride combines with sodium chloride or common salt, the sodium atoms give up electron to the chloride atoms.

A salt is derived from an acid when one or more hydrogen atoms of the acid are replaced by one or more metal ions positively charged radicals.

Alkalies are usually salts or hydroxide of sodium potassium, lithium or ammonia.

The seeds of the Annatto tree are used locally for coloring food. The coloring matter of the fruit, Annatto, is employed commercially for coloring butter and in the preparation of various polishers for russet leather.

The rhizomes of turmeric, or dilau, are commonly sold in Manila markets, and are used as condiments as an ingredients of curry powder, and for coloring food and other materials.

Turmeric is one of the best-known material dyes. Being used for dyeing silk, wool and cotton.

Alumina is used to make abrasive and high-temperature refraction’s, ceramics and glass.

Heated Alumina has a porous structure that easily absorbs moisture and vapors.

Alumina compounds produce alums are used for waterproofing fabrics and as the antiperspirant commercial deodorant.



Definition of Terms:

Paste – a type of glue made from starch or dextrin, a starch product.

Dextrin – a gummy substance used primarily in making adhesives.

Rhizomes – a fleshy horizontal underground stem of some perennial herbs.

Alkali – in chemistry, alkali generally refers to any strongly basic compound.

Annatto – (BIXA ORELLANA Linn) English name: Annatto tagalong name: Atsuete.

Alum – any of a group of compounds that contain the sulfates of two different

Metals – aluminum is often of the metals – and water of hydration.


Methodology:

Materials and Equipment to be used:

* Casserole                   * Cassava starch
* Bowl                          * Alum (tawas)
* Stove                         * Natural dye
* Mortar and Pestle       * Strainer


Procedures:

First you must prepare all the materials needed. After preparing, extract the coloring. If you will use leaves, extract it by sleeping it into half cup of hot water. If roots of turmeric will be used as coloring, grind it in the mortar and pestle then cover with half cup of hot water. And if you will use Annatto seeds, extract it by covering with half cup of hot water. After extracting separate the dye from the solid particles by pouring it to the strainer. Add 2 teaspoon of alum into the coloring in a bowl. Add 3 teaspoon of cassava starch. Heat the casserole in the stove and pour the solution if the casserole is already hot. Stir until it becomes sticky. If it is sticky enough remove the casserole in the stove and wait for it to cool. If it hot anymore, you can transfer it in the container.

Data to be controlled:

This study needs only to produce a colored paste that is why no data will be collected. This only need to describe the product produced.


Presentation and Analysis of Data:

1. Observation in Coloring Used

Coloring Used                               Observation

Annatto seeds                           The color did not fade
Mayana leaves                          The color faded after 1 day
Roots of Turmeric                     The color did not fade

The table shows that Annatto seeds and roots of Turmeric can be used to produce colored paste. The mayana leaves can be used but faded after one day.

2. Observations in Preservatives used to prolong the shelf life of the paste.


Preservatives Observations

Alum (tawas) Still sticky after four days and not spoiled yet dries up easily.
Oil Spoiled after one day
Salt Less sticky after four days not spoiled yet. Do not drive up easily

The table shows that tawas or alum is the best preservative for colored paste.


Summary:

We can produce colored paste by using cassava starch, water, alum and natural dyes from plants. Alum is the best preservative for paste. In this project, Annatto seeds and roots of turmeric plant was the best coloring. Through this Science Investigatory Project, we can produce affordable and safe paste because the ingredients used were not having toxic chemicals. This project can be an additional source of income for those who don’t have permanent job. And also, it can help students to produce their own paste instead of buying high priced and commercialized colored glues.


Conclusion:

After the study had been done, the following conclusions were made.

1. We can produce a colored paste out of natural dyes from Annatto seeds, mayana leaves and roots of turmeric.
2. The produced paste is safe to use since it does not contain any toxic chemicals.
3. The tawas or alum is the best preservative for colored paste.


Recommendation:

The following recommendation was given

1. Perform further study in producing other color of the colored paste using other plants.
2. Test other preservatives to lengthen the shelf life of the colored paste.
3. Do further study to improve the quality of the colored paste made.