Aklan Valley High School

Ureta Road Corner, Roxas Avenue Extension, Andagao,

Kalibo, Aklan

Mayana Leaves as a Substitute Component for Ink

A Reasearch Paper

Presented to:
Lina F. Teston–Ortega

Presented By:
Paul Vincent E. Almalbis

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 Using Mayana Extract as an Alternative Ink for Markers

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background of the Study

Ink plays an important role in writing and printing, it is beneficial to the modern
society especially for educational purposes. It helps students and teachers alike, do their
reports and present it as though power service interruptions occur. Ink is also valuable
and productive to create various writings on objects with enormous creative and practical
possibilities. Aside from its use in writing, it is also used in labelling, poster creation and
calligraphy. Many people overuse ink, thinking that we have sufficient supply of it. Usually,
it is a problem for students, artists, calligraphers to supply ink for the pens that they are
using.

Typically, the inks used in most markers are made from synthetic materials like
petroleum and chemical solvents. These kinds of materials are hazardous especially to the
health of the users and the environment as well. As been made into dyes, the Mayana
(Coleus Blumei) can be an alternative ingredient for ink instead of petroleum. The Mayana
(Coleus Blumei) is a genus of perennial plants native to tropical Africa, Asia, Australia and
the Pacific Islands. It is composed of about 150 species under the Mint family of plants
(Lamiaceae) and closely related to spearmint, peppermint, basil, thyme, oregano and
salviaand found all over in the Philippine archipelago. Mayana or also known in Kalibo,
Aklan as "Lampunaya" is commonly used for medicinal purposes. In India, the Mayana is
also used as a health tonic, treatment for heart problems, chest pains, lung ailments,
digestive disorder and sleeplessness (insomnia).

Recent scientific studies confirmed that Mayana contains a potent compound called
forskolin that may have muscle relaxant properties and can dilate blood vessels thereby has
a capability to lower blood pressure making the heart pump blood better throughout the
body. In today’s modern world, almost every product has been commercialized and people
sought for products that are more natural and cheaper instead, which is why The creation
of ink with alternative ingredient is a demand for the students’ artists, calligraphers as well
as for the people. The researchers think that Mayana have great potentials in having an
alternative ink due to its advantages. The researchers decided to test its effectiveness as an
ingredient for ink.

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 OBJECTIVES

The researchers aim to produce an ink out from Mayana leaves extracts.

The researchers study the advantages and disadvantages in using commercial and Mayana ink.

The researchers examine what would be the effects of using the plant as source of marker ink to
the community and environment.

The researchers aim to know the significance of color, thickness and absorption between the
standard ink and Mayana ink.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is significant to the following:

USERS. This study would be very beneficial to the users of any ink related item. This
study provides many advantages to them, such as they would have a more natural and cheaper
way of having an ink and lessen their expenses. This will also help to keep their health from
toxins and bad odor.
ENVIRONMENT. This study will help to replenish the atmosphere and surroundings from
getting destroyed.
FUTURE RESEARCHER. This study will help educate the future researches to read and know
what to do in future references.
SCHOOL. This study will help reduce the cost usage of students in school.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

The study aimed to test the effectiveness of Mayana leaves extract as an ingredient to produce
ink. This study limits its coverage on the discussion of ink production and the impact of the
Mayana ink in the environment and to the people. The study focused on testing its effectiveness
in terms of absorption, thickness, odor and color.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

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Conceptual Definition
Mayana Leaves – is a perennial aromatic herb of southeastern Asia having large usually bright-
colored or blotched leaves and spikes of blue-violet flowers; sometimes placed in genus
Solenostemon
Ink - a colored fluid used for writing, drawing, printing, or duplicating
Thickness- It is the consistency of the ink if it is blacker or not on the paper as rated by the
respondents The distance through an object, as distinct from width or height.
Odor- a distinctive smell, especially an unpleasant one rated by the respondents.
Foliage- a representation of leaves, flowers, and branches for architectural
ornamentation
Absorption- the process of absorbing or of being absorbed
Isopropyl Alcohol - It is a colorless liquid having disinfectant properties.

Operational Definition

Mayana Leaves – The main ingredient in making ink through grinding and mixing with the
isopropyl alcohol while boiling.
Isopropyl Alcohol – It is used with the mayana leaves to make the leaves odorless and is the
same as factory made ink.

Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The following are the literatures that are related to the conduct of the study.

Long before, ink is usually made from natural products such as berries, barks and leaves
extract. They have been used for centuries to create numerous colors and when mixed to other
substances can be an ink, dye or paint. Tea leaves have been also used for centuries to make ink
because of its various shades that create yellow, green, brown or black ink. (Lopierre, Lopi.)

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 Plants that contain tanning color can be reliable for making ink. For centuries, galls
nestled from oak trees as primary ingredient to make a black ink. The rich tanning color of
dogwood and alder tee also results to natural inks. Galls and barks achieve more intense, lasting
inks than most of the flower-based inks. Also, Egyptians achieved quality red ink with poppies.
(.) According to Helmenstine, any acidic fruit juice can be used to make an invisible ink when
combined with vinegar to make the ink last longer.

Ink, according to Encyclopedia.com (2011), is a combination of a coloring agent,

pigment and a liquid containing oils, resins and chemical solvents. In the past, ink was fashioned
from different colored juices, plant and animal extracts. But today, synthetic materials are used
in addition to these natural ingredients to improve the quality of ink making; however, ink must
have two basic components: the pigment coloring and the vehicle, a liquid which allow the ink to
be dispersed. In addition, according to the article found in the Student’s Encyclopedia, “The ink
should make a clear permanent mark that when dry does not fade from exposure to light or run
from exposure to moisture. It should flow freely and dry quickly when written in a surface and it
must contain nothing that might damage either the pen or the paper.” Neumann’s and Schluttig’s
definition of ink as cited in Lindquist, clearly stated the properties of ink that would be helpful in
having a good quality ink. The ink must be clear, filterable solution but not a suspension, should
flow easily from the pen and should not spread on paper. Since the ink is natural, no mold must
be seen on the solution and has no pronounced unpleasant odor. Likewise, it must have an
intense color which does not become paler nor bleach out entirely as it is used in writing.
Furthermore, Lindquist added that every good ink, whether writing, or combined writing and
copying, should have qualities that give writing that, after drying for eight days, is not removed
by water or alcohol -- even by treatment for days -- to such an extent that it becomes illegible.
(Lindquist, Evan. Old Ink.n.d..)

Ink can be a complex medium, composed of solvents, pigments,

dyes, resins, lubricants, solubilizers, surfactants, particulate matter, fluorescents, and other
materials. The components of inks serve many purposes; the ink's carrier, colorants, and other
additives affect the flow and thickness of the ink and its dry appearance.

Ink, pigmented fluid used for writing and drawing, or a viscous compound used for printing,
both of various colors but most frequently black. The oldest known variety, India ink or China
ink, is still used in China and Japan for writing with small brushes instead of pens. All inks are
composed of a colorant, a vehicle, a solvent, and additives; the colorant for India ink is carbon
black, and the vehicle is water; various substances including glue and gum are used to stabilize
suspension. Because of its rich blackness and permanence, India ink is used extensively by
architects, engineers, and artists. In many early civilizations dyes obtained from plants, and sepia
from the squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, were used as ink. The black and blue-black inks used
today, composed of copperas (ferrous sulfate), gallic and tannic acids, and a preservative, were

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probably known as early as the 2d cent., the acids then being derived from oak or nut galls.
Numerous master drawings made with ink containing the acids of gallnuts have been corroded
by the ink itself. These inks, and also the colored inks used today, contain aniline and other
soluble dyes instead of holding their pigments in suspension; they are accordingly filterable and
flow easily even through ball-point pens. Felt-tip markers contain organic compounds in
solution. The glutinous inks used by printers owe their various viscosities to such ingredients
as linseed oil, synthetics of the alkyd type, mineral oil, and petroleum fractions. This reliance on
hydrocarbons has raised concern about pollution, and led to the development of several
alternatives: vegetable–based inks; toluene–based inks so that the solvent can be recovered; and
water–solvent inks. Marking inks used to mark linen are composed of a salt of silver. Indelible or
incorrodible ink is used for writing that is exposed to the weather or to strong acids or alkaline
solutions. Fluorescent inks are used in printing maps to be read at night. The liquid in the ink
used in newspaper printing is absorbed into the paper, while in many other sorts of ink the liquid
evaporates leaving the pigment above the paper surface.

Chapter III
Methodology
I. Method of the Research
The method is a highly controlled procedure in which manipulated treatment or actions from a
factor or condition, called the experimental variable (the Mayana ink) were applied upon another
factor or condition(the Isopropyl Alcohol).This study also focused on how the Mayana extract is
capable of being utilized as ingredient for the ink. Additionally, the Mayana extract was tested to
determine its effectiveness and through experiments, observations were gathered and utilized as
a collective in making conclusions.The experimental set-up consists of three random sampling
researches (3). Each set-up had undergone the same environment, but with different processes in
order to find what kind of data that is needed.

II. Materials and Equipment

Mayana Plant- main ingredient in making the experiment.
Isopropyl Alcohol- component used to mix with the leaves.
Scissors - if you need to chop your plant source into small pieces.
Stove – used for boiling the mixture of isopropyl alcohol and the leaves.
Mortar and Pestle – for grinding the leaves.
A piece of cloth – for filtering the leave mixture
3 small containers
Measuring cup

III. Experimental Setup

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 During the experimentation (3) samples was used:

Sample 1 was administered with 1/4 cup of powdered leaves added with 20 milliliters of
Isopropyl Alcohol through boiling.

Sample 1 Boiling
1/4 cup of ground leaves + 20 mL of Medium heat for 1 minute or High
Isopropyl Alcohol heat for 30 seconds

Sample 2 was administered with 1/3 cup of powdered leaves added with 20 milliliters of
Isopropyl Alcohol through boiling

Sample 2 Boiling
1/3 cup of ground leaves + 20 mL of Medium heat for 1 minute or High
Isopropyl Alcohol heat for 30 seconds

Sample 3 was administered with ½ cup of powdered leaves added with 20 milliliters of Isopropyl
Alcohol through boiling
Sample 3 Boiling
1/2 cup of ground leaves + 20 mL of Medium heat for 1 minute or High
Isopropyl Alcohol heat for 30 seconds

IV. Experimental Procedure

1. Pick out a plant source to extract your ink from.

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2. If your plant source is large, you will need to finely cut it into little pieces using your
scissors.

3. Add the leaves in the mortar then use the pestle to grind the leaves firmly

4. Start with Sample 1, with 1/4 cup of powdered leaves and 20 mL of Isopropyl Alcohol

5. Strain them using the filter paper or a piece of cloth on a bowl

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6. Next is Sample 2, with 1/3 cup of powdered leaves and 20 mL of Isopropyl Alcohol

7. Strain them using the filter paper or a piece of cloth on a bowl

8. Last is Sample 3, with 1/2 cup of powdered leaves and 20 mL of Isopropyl Alcohol

9. Strain them using the filter paper or a piece of cloth on a bowl

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10. Bring all mixtures of Sample 1 to 3 to boil and simmer one by one covered in a stove for
just 1 minute with medium heat or 30 seconds with high heat or at least make the
mixtures boil.
a. Safety Notes: Do not leave the plant-water mixture unattended on the stove.
Remain nearby to make sure it does not burn. It is also a good idea to do this in a
well-ventilated area, or with the stove top fan running, in case the cooking plants
release bad-smelling fumes.

11. Allow the dye to cool. If there are pieces of material in your saucepan, separate the dye
into another bowl using a strainer and set the bowl of dye aside.
12. Now that you have your homemade ink you are ready to try out which is exactly the same
as factory made inks.

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V. Data Gathering
The researchers apply the writing test application to know which sample has high absorption
rate if used on paper. The data will be gathered through observation, absorption, odor, and color.
After going through observation, absorption, odor, and color, the researchers will check in which
sample is suitable for use as ink.

Chapter IV
Results
Introduction
In this chapter we will discuss our findings in different treatments for us to know which
sample has almost the same properties as factory made ink according to our.

Sample 1

Amount of ground Mayana Leaves Isopropyl Alcohol

1/4 cup 20 mL

Table 1 shows the amount of ground mayana leaves which is 1/4 a cup and the amount of
isopropyl alcohol which is 20 ml, which was mixed through boiling to achieve results. The odor
of the boiled mayana mixture came natural as to how the herbal smells like. The color of the
mixture was exactly black. The absorption of the ink on paper took about 3 seconds to dry. The
consistency of the ink lasted like standard ink.

Sample 2

Amount of ground Mayana Leaves Isopropyl Alcohol

1/3 cup 20 mL
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 Table 2 shows the amount of ground mayana leaves which is 1/3 a cup and the amount of
isopropyl alcohol which is 20 ml, which was mixed through boiling to achieve results. The odor
of the boiled mayana mixture came natural as to how the herbal smells like. The color of the
mixture was slightly brown. The absorption of the ink on paper took about 4 seconds to dry. The
consistency of the ink lasted like standard ink just like as sample 1.

Sample 3

Amount of ground Mayana Leaves Isopropyl Alcohol

1/2 cup 20 mL

Table 3 shows the amount of ground mayana leaves which is 1/2 a cup and the amount of
isopropyl alcohol which is 20 ml, which was mixed through boiling to achieve results. The odor
of the boiled mayana mixture came natural as to how the herbal smells like. The color of the
mixture was dark violet. The absorption of the ink on paper took about 5 seconds to dry. The
consistency of the ink lasted like standard ink just like samples 1 and 2.

Chapter V
Summary
This study is focused on the positive and negative effects of mayana leaves as the main
ingredient that is used in making ink. The purpose of this study is to know if the mayana leaves
can be used as a substitute component for ink. Also this study wants to know if the mayana
leaves can be used as ink to help ease our ecosystem.
In light of the problems stated above, the following hypotheses were formulated:

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 1. Mayana leaves and Isopropyl Alcohol has no relevance for factory made inks.
2. The amount of ground mayana leaves can help focus in which is suitable for usage as ink.
Different samples were used to figure out which kind of sample can be used for suitable usage
as ink.
The research design that was used is experimental design. The data for the stated problem
were gathered by the means of random sampling and through observation.
The following findings were arrived at:
1. Sample 1, after testing, the odor consists of its herbal features, the color was black, and
the absorption of the ink on the paper took 3 seconds to dry.
2. Sample 2, after testing, the odor consists of its herbal features, the color was brown, and
the absorption of the ink on the paper took 4 seconds to dry.
3. Sample 3, after testing, the odor consists of its herbal features, the color was dark violet,
and the absorption of the ink took 5 seconds to dry.

Conclusion
Based on the findings, the researchers conclude that mayana leaves can be used as ink and to
create your own ink from mayana leaves you need to use a lot of ground mayana leaves with a
little bit of isopropyl alcohol to turn the mixture the same as ink. The Mayana extract may not
produce a strong tanning of color of ink like the commercial one but Mayana ink don’t produce
strong odor and its stain whether on paper or fabric is the same as factory made ink.

Recommendations

1. It is advisable to improve the color of the Mayana ink and know what ingredient can
improve the absorption of the ink, rate of the stick consistency and odor.

2. The researcher advocates re-associating the difference between the the samples using
other tests in order to justify the result of this study. Furthermore, having a good quality
ink must be focused on before undergoing a series of test.

3. The researcher advises to conduct other parallel tests based on the components of the
standard ink and the Mayana ink.

4. The product can be used in an affordable price.

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