FIRST CITY PROVIDENTIAL COLLEGE

Brgy. Narra, Francisco Homes Subdivision, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan

Camote Tops
as an Alternative pH Indicator
in Determining the pH level of
Different Water Brands

A Research Paper presented to

First City Providential College

In Partial Fulfilment of the

Requirement for the subject
Practical Research 2

Research conducted by
Miaka Nicole L. de Vera

Submitted to
Ms. Princess Custodio
Practical Research 2 Teacher

Academic Year 2018-2019

2nd Semester
 APPROVAL SHEET

This research paper, Camote Tops as an Alternative pH Indicator in Determining

the pH level of Different Water Brands, an experimental study, presented and submitted
by Miaka Nicole L. De Vera, is hereby accepted as partial fulfilment of the requirement
for the subject Practical Research 2 in First City Providential College by the committee:

Ms. Princess Custodio

Practical Research 2 Teacher

Date
 DEDICATION

The researcher would like to dedicate this study to health-conscious people; for
them to know that there are alternative resources that will also provide the same
results as the original products.

To the market consumers, so they will know that the price does not guarantee
the quality of a product.

To the researcher’s family who has always been there guiding and supporting
with all their might.

To the teachers who helped the researcher and gave pointers to accomplish this
study.

To her Alma Mater, First City Providential College, that served as an instrument
for the researcher to enhance her writing skills.

And to God, who gave her knowledge and strength throughout this study.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The researcher would like to express her deepest gratitude to everyone who
contributed for the completion of this study.

The researcher would like to thank her family for their never-ending support and
motivation.

To the teachers, for their guidance and encouragement to the researcher in

doing this study.

And lastly, to God, for giving the researcher strength and wisdom for her to
finish this study triumphantly.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Approval Sheet…………………………………………………………………….………………………….
Dedication………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………………………...................
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……1

Chapter 1: The Problem and Review of Related Literature

A. Introduction.………………………………………………………….…………….......………2
A1. Main Objective…………………………………………………………….……….….......3
A2. Specific Objective…………………………………………………………………….….…3
B. Review of Related Literature and Studies
B1. Review of Related Literature.............………………………………………..…….4
B2. Review of Related Studies...............…………………….…………..…..….…….6
C. Conceptual Framework……………………………………………………….………………..7
D. Hypotheses……………………………………………………………………....……………..…9
E. Significance of the Study…………………………………………………..……………..…10
F. Scope and Limitation………………………………………………………..…………….....11
G. Definition of Terms…………………………………………………………..…………….….12

Chapter 2: Methods

A. Methodology……………………………………………….………………….…………………13
A1. Materials…………………………..…….………………….……………………………….13
A2. Procedures…………………………….……………………………..………..………….13
B. Research Design……………………………………………….................................14
C. Research Setting………………………………………………………….……….….……….15
D. Statistical Treatment……………………………………..……………..…………………...16

Chapter 3: Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data.............................17

Chapter 4: Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation

A. Summary……………………………………………….………………………………………..19
B. Conclusion…………………………………….……………………………………..………….20
C. Recommendati……………………………….…………………………………..…………….21

Bibliography……………………..…………………….………………………………………………….22
Appendices……………………………………………….………………….……………………………….
 ABSTRACT

It is generally a fact that water is something that people cannot live without due
to its benefits, particlularly, drinking. Water companies provide bottled waters that have
undergone treatment. But not all brands have the same measure of acidity and
alkalinity or also known as pH. And this has been proven by the researcher through this
study. The reseacher used an experimental research design where she made an
alternative pH indicator which is the extract of the camote tops. The researcher then
compared different brands of bottled water from the market and proved the hypotheses
of the study. The research and experiment was conducted at First City Providential
College.

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 CHAPTER 1
The Problem and Review of Related Literature

A. Introduction

Water is considered as the world’s universal solvent due to its versatility. It is

used in almost all aspects of people’s lives. According to Centers for Disease and
Prevention, water can be used for direct and indirect purposes. Direct purposes include
our daily activities such as bathing, cooking and drinking whilst Indirect purposes are
the use of water in processing wood to make paper and the like.

Additionally, though potable water only comprises a small fraction of the total
use of water, it is significant especially to the evereyday-lives of people.

Mariette Mifflin, a writer with a decade of experience in writing about

housewares and appliances, said that potable water is considered safe to drink either
because it has been treated, cleaned or filtered. Treatment is also done for acidic water
(low ph level).

In the Philippines, many water companies arise to provide clean and healthy
water for the community. But not all companies offer the same quality and benefits.

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 A.1 Main Objective

The main objective of this research is to find alternatives in making pH level

indicator, prove that not all bottled waters have the same pH level and find sensible
reasons on why people should not be independent on the brand and price of water they
drink.

A.2 Specific Objectives

Specifically, the following are the objectives of the study:

1. Formulate an improvised alternative pH indicator that will be helpful in

determinig the pH level of water.
2. Contrast acidic and alkaline water and provide related studies to support their
differences.
3. Compare and rank the pH level of different bottled water brands and specify
which brand has the least price that also contains the lowest value of acid.
4. Analyze whether intake of bottled water (with high acidity or alkalinity) can affect
the health of the drinker.
5. Create awareness on the readers’ minds and integrate their knowledge.

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B. Review of Related Literature and Studies

B1. Review of Related Literature Citations

Keyword: pH indicator

According to Guido Socher (2004-2008), a lot of plants with colors other

than green can be used as pH indicator. Some of it are litmus (dye extract
from lichens) and red cabbage extract.

Keyword: acidic and alkaline water

Based on H2O for Health (2012), Alkaline water is better than acidic
water for calcium retention and bone health.

The body absorbs healthy minerals like calcium from alkaline water.
Acidic water is not a good source of healthy minerals.

Based on Life Ionizers, drinking alkaline water raises the pH of your

blood and urine as much as 40-70% which can help prevent metabolic
syndrome.

According to Alkaline Water Plus, most methods of purifying water use

extreme filtration and ozonation making the water acidic.

Some countries, including Japan, use alkaline water to neutralize excess

tissue acidity, to treat degenerative diseases and to fight bacteria. A lot
of people feel better when drinking alkaline water. (Water for Health Ltd,
2018)

Keyword: pH level

According Ophardt (2003), the pH scale measures how acidic or basic a

substance is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 wherein a pH of 7 is neutral

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(green), pH less than 7 is acidic (light green to red) and greater than 7 is basic
(violet to blue).

Keyword: intake

A diet full of acidic foods will affect the body’s pH level and can trigger
the onset of acid reflux. By incorparating a diet rich in alkaline foods and
intaking alkaline water, a person can effectively manage the acidity in his/her
stomach.

Keyword: awareness

It is important to be aware and check the pH level of water since

drinking acidic water can lead to number of problems such as weight gain,
slow immune response and susceptibility to diseases.

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B2. Review of Related Studies Citations

Keyword: pH indicator

Plant extracts contain anthocyanin that determines the colors of many

fruits (red, purple and blue).

An acid base indicator is a substance that changes color as the pH of

solution changes. Dyes were first used by Robert Boyle (1664). (Bhise S.H.,
Shinde, N.G., Pimpodkar, N.V. snd Shikalgar, S.S., 2014)

Keyword: acidic and alkaline water

Drinking water needs to be alkaline or basic because it helps

detoxify the body by neutralizing acidic waste products that are accumulated
daily.

Alkaline water also hydrates the body to maintain and regain

optimum health.

It acts as an antioxidant, scavenges and neutralizes harmful free

radicals (Aquaheal, 2013).

Most of the bottled water that are commonly used as drinking water
are acidic, which can be damaging the body (BodyClenz, 2013)

Keyword: pH level

The Science and Technology Information Network of the Philippines

conducted a study that proved the effectiveness of camote tops as a pH level
indicator. According to the results of their study, camote tops are very
versatile. It is readily reusable for indicating pH of different chemicals and it
even has sensitivity to fumes.

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C. Conceptual Framework

Knowing the pH level of the water can help a lot of people around the world.
These are the three factors to be considered:

Better health and prevention of the degenerative diseases. Water with

high alkalinity can help people have better health and prevent diseases. If one knows
the pH level of water they intake, they can choose which brand has the highest pH level
and prevent themselves from being acidic.

Does not have to spend too much. Many water companies use different
strategies to advertise their products. But little do some people know, some of it are not
worthy to spend money with. So if people choose the best brand, they will no longer
have to spend too much and can even save themselves for potential problems that they
may face.

Additional knowledge and skills. Knowing how to make one’s own pH

indicator can be an additional knowledge and skills that one can use in his/her daily life,
specifically, in maintaining their well-beings.

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 Figure 1

better health and

prevention of
degenerative
diseases

Effects of knowing
the pH level of
water

does not have to additional

spend too much knowledge and
skills

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D. Hypotheses

The following hypotheses were formulated to this study:

1. The popularity brand does not determine its effectiveness and credibility.
2. People tend to choose the popular brands rather than the brand with the best
effect on the drinker’s health.

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E. Significance of the Study

This study will be a significant attempt in the society to bring awareness and to
avoid having complications on their health. Knowing how to make their own pH
indicator would be a huge help especially for those who want to maintain their healthy
lifestyle. It is important to have an initiative in an early age in maintaining one’s health
and this research will serve as a stepping stone. Thus, this study will be beneficial to
the students, teachers, consumers and community.

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F. Scope and Limitation

The study focuses on determining the acidity of different brands of bottled water
and formulating alternative pH indicator. Humans might acquire more acids than
alkaline due to their unawareness. Hence, with this research, this issue can be avoided.
With limited sources and scope, this research is bounded to accomplish its goals with
the help of teachers and staffs from First City Providential College located at Barangay
Narra Francisco Homes, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

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G. Definition of terms

G1. pH (noun)

- measure of acidity and alkalinity of a solution

- measured using camote tops extract

G2. degenerative (adjective)

- intellectual, moral or artistic decline

- type of disease that a person can get if he has no enough knowledge about
water.

G3. litmus paper (noun)

- dye extract from lichens

- another way of getting the level of pH
G4. extract (noun)

- to draw forth
- one of the procedures in making an indicator
G5. anthocynanin (noun)

- responsible for red, purple, and blue color of flowers, leaves and vegetables
- determines the level of pH
G6. susceptibility (noun)
- capable of submitting to an action, process, or operation
- can be a result if a person drinks acidic water (susceptible to diseases)
G7. eminently (adverb)
- to a high degree
- extend of how the researcher recommends this study

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 CHAPTER 2
Methods

A. Methodology

A1. Materials

- camote tops
- different bottled water brands
- plastic cups
- pot
- water
- beaker
- dropper

A2. Procedures

1. Put water in a pot.

2. Cut the leaves of camote tops.
3. Boil the leaves with medium fire.
4. Pour the extract in a clean empty bottle.
5. Prepare the bottles waters and put one cup in each brand.
6. Pour 50ml of water in their own cups (use a beaker in measuring the
amount of water).
7. Use the dropper to put camote tops extract in the cups.
8. Put 20 drops of the extract in each cup.
9. See the results.

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B. Research Design

The researcher used experimental research design to determine the level of

alkalinity of different bottled waters. This tested the pH level of different brands of
botlled waters that helped prove the hypotheses and the research paper of the
researcher.

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C. Research Setting

The research was conducted at First City Providential College located at

Barangay Narra Francisco Homes, San Jose del Monte Bulacan.

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D. Statistical Treatment

The main objective of this research is to get the brand with the least price and
highest pH for better health benefits. So, in order to achieve this objective, the
researcher used ₱ ÷ mL and (x) (350) as formulas. First, ₱ ÷ mL was used to find the
price of the water per mL (x). The researcher divided the price of the bottled water (₱)
with its original amount (mL). Second, (x) (350) was used to get the price of each
water in uniform amounts. 350 mL served as the ideal amount so each brand will be
compared with uniform volume. The price per mL (x) was multiplied with the ideal
amount (350). Third, the brands were numbered and ranked in accordance with their
pH level and price.

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 CHAPTER 3
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

This chapter gives a thorough explanation of the experimental system, testing

and procedures used in data acquisiton throughout the experiment, 11 brands, named
Aqualife, Le Minerale, Viva, Banahaw, Aquafina, Refresh, Aqualize, Absolute, Wilkins,
Bonus and Nature Spring, were chosen and tested for this study. Table 3.1 shows the
pH level acquired from the test as well as the volume, price, computed price and rank
of the 11 brands.

Table 3.1

Brand pH level mL price computed rank

price
Aqualife alkaline 350 7.50 7.50 3
Le Minerale acidic 330 8.80 9.33 x
Viva moderate 330 10.95 11.61 x
Banahaw alkaline 350 11.00 11.00 6
Aquafina alkaline 350 9.00 9.00 4
Refresh moderate 350 6.00 6.00 x
Aqualize alkaline 350 7.40 7.40 2
Absolute alkaline 350 10.25 10.25 5
Wilkins alkaline 330 11.00 11.67 7
Bonus alkaline 330 6.00 7.00 1
Nature Spring acidic 500 15.00 10.50 x

The reseacher tested the pH level of different bottled water brands using the
alternative pH indicator which was the extract of the camote tops. After putting uniform
amount of water and indicator in each cup, Le Minerale and Nature Spring appeared to
be acidic, Viva and Refresh to be in moderate level and the rest to be alkaline.

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 Since the brands do not have the same volume, the prices are not accurate and
cannot be rank. Hence, the researcher made 350 as the ideal amount for every brand
and computed for the new price.

The objective of the research is to find alkaline bottled water with the least price.
Therefore, acidic and moderate leveled brands are eliminated from the ranking.

Bonus happened to be the brand that has the least price and highest pH level
whose computed price is ₱6.36, followed by Aqualize with ₱7.40, Aqualife with ₱7.50,
then Aquafina (₱9.00), Absolute (₱10.25), Banahaw (₱ 11.00) and lastly, Wilkins
(₱11.67).

Table 3.2

pH indicator
HOME MADE FACTORY MADE
low cost pricey
convenient inconvenient
can be seen anywhere hard to find
easy to do complex

Based on the table given above, home made pH indicator has more positive sides
compared to factory made. Both are accurate since the anthocyanin present in camote
tops is a naturally occuring pH indicator that acts similarly to litmus or the factory
made indicator. Hence, health-conscious people do not need to spend too much finding
pH indicator when they can make their own at home.

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 CHAPTER 4
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

A. Summary

Water is significant to the lives of people because it is used in almost all

aspects of their lives. One common use of water is being suitable for drinking or
being potable. Different brands of bottled water arise to provide the best quality
of drinking water. But not all brands have the same level of pH.

pH level determines the presence of Hydrogen-ion concentration in water.

There are three levels of pH which are acidic (1-6), neutral (7), and alkaline
(8-14). It is important to know the pH level of water because of its effects to
the drinker. That is why pH indicator was invented.

Since pH indicators are pricey and inconvenient, the researcher came up

with an alternative indicator which was the camote tops. The Department of
Science and Technology conducted a study about camote tops that proved that
it has an anthocyanin which can be used to determine the level of acidity and
alkalinty of a substance.

In this research, the researcher proved that not all brands have the
same level of pH and that price does not determine the alkalinity of water.

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B. Conclusion

With the studies and experiments done, the researcher therefore concludes that
the price of bottled water does not determine its alkalinity. Hence, people should not be
dependent on the price but on the quality of the water they drink for better health
purposes.

Additionally, the researcher has proven that bottled waters have different levels
of pH and found the brand with the best quality and least price.

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C. Recommendation

The researcher eminently recommends this study to the following:

Students. This study will give them additonal knowledge that they can use in
their lives. Furthermore, they can recommend the product to their loved ones so they
can altogether maintain their well-beings.

Health-conscious people. People should be mindful of the water they intake

especially to those who are acidic. Though acidic water does not affect their healths,
alkaline water is still the best pick for it can help neutralize acidity and give better
health benefits.

Future researchers. This research can serve as their guide for their future
researches. They could get ideas and use it to have further discussions about
alternative resources.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

McDevittt, L. (2015, August 28). How Alkaline Water affects your pH Balance.
Retrieved from http://www.lifeionizers.com/blog/how-alkaline-water-affects-ph-
balance/

H2O for Health. (2012, November 20). Alkaline Water vs Acidic Water. Retrieved from
http://www.h2oforhealth.com/alkaline-water-vs-acidic-water/

Socher, G. (2004-2019). Self made acid/base indicators, PH indicators. Retrieved from

http://tuxgraphics.org/npa/litmus-redcabbage-tumeric-radish-ph-indicator/

Alkaline Water Plus. (2008-2019). Water Filtration Basics. Retrieved from

https://www.alkalinewaterplus.com/water-filtration-basics/

DYLN Inspired. (2018, September 11). Alkaline Water for Acid Reflux. Retrieved from
https://www.dyln.co/blogs/y-blog/alkaline-water-for-acid-reflux

Ophardt, Charles E.(2003) ,Virtual Chembook, “pH Scale”, Elmhurst College, Oct.
30, 2012. Retrieved from
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/184ph.html

Eldorado Natural Spring Water. (2016, February 8). Why is the pH of your Water So
Darn Important. Retrieved from https://www.eldoradosprings.com/blog/water-
and-health-0

DOST ScINET-PHI. (2004). Kamote-pHI:a pH indicator. Retrieved from

http://scinet.dost.gov.ph/union/ShowSearchResult.php?f=&p=&page=&sid=1&id
=Kamote-pHI

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