Production of Natural Ink from Clitoria tarnatea L.

flower
ORANUCH NAKCHAT1,a* and NUTSURANG PUKKALANUN2,b
1Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University,
2Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University,
Muang District, Surin Province, Thailand, 32000
aE-mail: Oranuch_na@hotmail.com
bE-mail: to_gae@hotmail.com

Keywords : natural ink, natural dye, Clitoria tarnatea L. flower

Abstract. The aim of this study was to study the possibility of producing ink from natural product,
blue color from Clitoria tarnatea L. flower, and the efficiency of this natural ink was evaluated.
The process of extraction was used hot water and ethyl alcohol. The result found that ethyl alcohol
was extracted color from C. tarnatea flower better than hot water. The testing of color
concentration by using 2 formulas; 100 g C. tarnatea flower and extracted with 50 ml ethyl alcohol
(conc. 1) and other formula was 100 g C. tarnatea flower and extracted with 100 ml ethyl alcohol
(conc. 2). The result found that the concentration 1 showed the highest color intensity. Then, this
concentration was produced ink by adding blue food coloring for increasing color intensity and
glycerin for increasing glossy with different ratios. The result found that the ratios of C. tarnatea
flower extract (100 g flower: 50 ml ethyl alcohol): food coloring: glycerin at 1: 0.5: 3 showed the
highest color intensity, color contrast and color lasting. Furthermore, the sample ink from the
experiment was tested into stamp pad and whiteboard marker and asking the satisfaction. The result
found that the consumers very satisfied to use stamp pad (4.70) and whiteboard marker (4.65) from
blue color Clitoria tarnatea L. flower.

Introduction
Learning and teaching today has changed from write with chalk to write with a whiteboard
marker. Because of that chalk is product a small dust when erasing. A small dust can lead into lung
when breathing and may be negative affect on health of people who inhale. While, whiteboard
marker can help the writer or teacher comfort because it easily erased with a soft brush or cloth
without the use of water, and not effect to the environment. However, whiteboard marker contains
many synthetic dyes and volatile organic solvents linked to serious health problems such as xylene,
benzene, toluene, trichloroethylene, and methyl isobutyl ketone, these chemicals can lead to liver
problems, headaches and nausea with long-term exposure [1]. Moreover, it causes waste when
empty. Office work is another source that unavoidable to expose chemicals, especially exposed with
toner ink and ink stamp. Office ink contain many chemicals are inserted to make stain-resistant.
Those chemicals remain close to the surface of the skin, and may accumulate in the body cause
health problems. For safe and healthy of user, cost savings and environment friendly, a many
natural dyes were used in ink-jet printing in textile manufacture. Dye sources included vegetable,
animal, and mineral extracts [2].
Clitoria ternatea L. commonly known as Butterfly pea belonging to the family Fabaceae
and sub-family Papilionaceae is a perennial leguminous twiner. People use C. ternatea as a
medicinal agent to enhance fertility, to control menstrual discharge, to treat gonorrhea and as a
sexual stimulant. The juice of flowers is reported to be used in insect bites and skin diseases.
Extracts of Clitoria ternatea flowers are blue dye. They were used in Thailand as a component of
cosmetics and the chemical composition of the flowers suggest that they may have anti-oxidant
activity [3] and also used as textile dye and food coloring. As mention above, to use the blue dye of
C. tarnatea as ink is not explored as stationary equipment; therefore, this research will investigate
the possibility of producing of natural blue ink from C. tarnatea flowers.
Materials and methods
1. Extraction method
Extraction of natural blue color from Clitoria tarnatea L. flower by using hot water and ethyl
alcohol. The freshly flower of C. tarnatea were collected and washed thoroughly with water to remove any
dirt and let drying at room temperature.
1.1 Hot water extraction
The 100 g of C. tarnatea flowers were extracted with 100 ml of water and heat on hot plate until
boiled. The extract was cooled at room temperature and filtrated through filter paper to obtain blue extract.
The extract was evaporated on hot plate to obtain blue viscous extract. The viscous extract was
diluted in different concentration with various solvents such as ethyl alcohol, acetone and hexane.
The solubility of blue extract in solvent was evaluated.
1.2 Ethanoic extraction
The 100 g of C. tarnatea flowers were extracted with 50 ml of ethyl alcohol (ratio 1:0.5) and
extracted with 100 ml of ethyl alcohol (ratio 1:1) and grinded together. The extract was filtrated through
white cloth to obtain blue extract. The intensity of blue color was evaluated.

2. Development of ink from blue dye of C. tarnatea flowers

The blue dye extract of C. tarnatea flowers ratio 1:0.5 and 1:1 was produced ink by add blue
food coloring for increase intensity and glycerin for increase glossy with different ratio (20
formulas). The formulation was showed in Table 1 and 2. Then, the inks were added into stamp pad
and alphabet “ ส ำ เน ำ ถู ก ต ้อ ง ” was stamped on white paper. The intensity and stain of color were
evaluated.
Table 1. Formulation of ink from C. tarnatea flowers ratio 1:0.5
C. tarnatea food coloring glycerin
Formula flowers extract (ml) (drop)
ratio 1:0.5 (ml)
control 0 0 0
1.1 1 0 0
1.2 1 0.125 0
1.3 1 0.25 0
1.4 1 0.5 0
1.5 1 1 0
1.6 1 0 3
1.7 1 0.125 3
1.8 1 0.25 3
1.9 1 0.5 3
1.10 1 1 3

Table 2. Formulation of ink from C. tarnatea flowers ratio 1:1

C. tarnatea food coloring glycerin
Formula flowers extract (ml) (drop)
ratio 1:1 (ml)
control 0 0 0
1.1 1 0 0
1.2 1 0.125 0
1.3 1 0.25 0
1.4 1 0.5 0
1.5 1 1 0
1.6 1 0 3
1.7 1 0.125 3
1.8 1 0.25 3
 1.9 1 0.5 3
1.10 1 1 3

3. Satisfaction of the consumer to ink

The alphabet which stamped by using different concentration of ink was evaluated the
satisfaction on intensity and stain of color from 20 consumers.

4. Study evaporating rate of ink

The ink formula which the most satisfied was studied the evaporating rate by open bottle lid
for 6 days.

5. Evaluation the fading of ink

The ink formula which the most satisfied was added into whiteboard marker and writhed on
the white paper. The fading of ink was evaluated for 6 days.

6. Production of blue ink from C. tarnatea flowers finishing product

The ink formula which the most satisfied was produced as finishing product and refilled into
whiteboard marker and stamp pad.

Results
1. Extraction method
C. tarnatea flowers were extracted with 2 solvent methods, hot water and ethyl alcohol. The
result found that hot water can extract the C. tarnatea flowers to obtain deep blue viscous extract.
Dilute these extract with acetone, hexane and ethyl alcohol, the result found that it was weak
soluble in acetone and hexane but good soluble in ethyl alcohol. However, the C. tarnatea flowerse
ethyl alcohol solution almost occur mold when taking a long leave in room temperature. While,
extract C. tarnatea flowers with ethyl alcohol at ratio 1:0.5 and 1:1 showed deep blue extract but it
not have mold when long leave in room temperature. Therefore, the C. tarnatea flowers extract
from ethyl alcohol at ratio 1:0.5 and 1:1 were lather bring to produce ink.
2. Development and Satisfaction of ink
The C. tarnatea flowers extract from ethyl alcohol at ratio 1:0.5 and 1:1 was produced ink by
adding blue food coloring for increasing intensity and glycerin for increasing glossy with 20
formulas. The inks were added into stamp pad and alphabet “ส ำเนำถู ก ต อ้ ง” was stamped on white
paper and then the alphabet was evaluated the satisfaction of intensity and stain of color. The result
found that 20 consumers divided female 65% and male 35% were almost satisfied on intensity and
stain of color of ink formula 1.9 which contain C. tarnatea flowers extract ratio 1:0.5, food
coloring, and glycerin at 1 ml:1 ml: 3 drops. The consumers were very satisfied to use stamp pad
(4.70) and whiteboard marker (4.65). The intensity and stain of ink were showed in Fig. 1.

(a) (b)
Figure 1. The alphabet was stamped from a) A commercial ink as control and b) An ink from C.
tarnatea flowers extract formula 1.9.
3. Study evaporating rate of ink
The ink formula 1.9 was studied the evaporating rate by opening bottle lid for 6 days. The
result found that the evaporating rate was the highest at 1 day and the rate was stable at date 2 to
6.The percentage of evaporation was 88.00, 90.90, 92.50, 91.89, 91.18, respectively (Fig. 2).

100
90
Percentage of Evaporation

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 Day

Figure 2. The evaporating rate of C. tarnatea flowers ink from formula 1.9.

4. Evaluation the fading of ink

The ink formula 1.9 was added into whiteboard marker and writhed on the white paper. The
fading of ink was evaluated for 6 days. The result found that the color of ink was not different from
commercial whiteboard marker (Fig. 3).

Day 1 (a) (b) Day 2 (a) (b)

Day 4 (a) (b) Day 6 (a) (b)

Figure 3. The intensity of ink color from day 1, 2, 4, 6 a) A commercial whiteboard marker
b) An ink from C. tarnatea flowers extract formula 1.9.

5. Production of blue ink from C. tarnatea flowers finishing product

The ink formula 1.9 was produced as finish product and refilled into whiteboard marker and
stamp pad (Fig. 4).
 (a) (b)
Figure 4. a) A natural blue ink from C. tarnatea flowers finishing product b) The ink
was refilled into whiteboard marker and stamp pad.

Discussion
Flowers of Clitoria tarnatea L. contain anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are plant pigment,
which are responsible for red violet-blue color in plant flowers. Anthocyanins are polar, it can
solute in ethanol, methanol, water, and another polar solvents [4-6]. This study ethyl alcohol
(ethanol) is the best extraction solvent because it can extract the high intensity of a blue dye from C.
tarnatea flowers and not have mold. The deep blue extract from ethyl alcohol was bringing to
produce ink. Due to, the extract from C. tarnatea flowers are deep blue color when use as ink it
provide dark blue, which is not bright. Therefore, ink production we add a little blue food coloring
in ink for increase brightening and intensity. Moreover, we add glycerin in ink for increase glossy.
The result found that the ink, which contain C. tarnatea flowers extract ratio 1:0.5 at 1 ml, food
coloring at 1 ml, and glycerin at 3 drops was the most satisfied on intensity and stain and not fade.
However, the ink is evaporating quickly so that should not open the lid of ink or whiteboard marker
or stamp pad for a long time.

Summary
Flowers of Clitoria tarnatea L. can be used to produce a natural blue dye ink that is
environmentally friendly method. Moreover, it is safety, low toxicity and not allergic reactions to
the users.

Acknowledgement
This research was financed by faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat
University.

References
[1] N. papagiorgio, What Are the Dangers of Dry Erase Markers. Information on
http://www.ehow.com/list_6968898_dangers-dry-erase-markers_.html (2016).
[2] G. Savvidis, E. Karanikas, N. Nikolaidis, I. Eleftheriadis, E. Tsatsaroni , Ink-jet printing of
cotton with natural dyes. Society of Dyers and Colourists, Color. Technol. 130 (2013) 1–5.
[3] G.K. Gupta, J. Chahal, M. Bhatia, Clitoria ternatea (L.): Old and new aspects, J. Pharm. Res.
3 (2010) 2610-2614.
[4] K. Sinha, P.D. Saha, V. Ramya, S.Datta, Improved extraction of natural blue dye from butterfly
pea using microwave assisted methodology to reduce the effect of synthetic blue dye, Int. J. Chem.
Technol. 4 (2012) 57-65.
[5] R.Kanchana, A. Fernandes, B. Bhat, S. Budkule, S. Dessai, R. Mohan, Dyeing Of Textiles With
Natural Dyes - An Eco-Friendly Approach, Int. J. Chem Tech Res. 5 (2013) 2102-2109.
[6] N.M. Saptarini, D. Suryasaputra, H. Nurmalia, Application of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea
Linn) extract as an indicator of acid-base titration, J. Chem. Pharm. Res. 7(2015) 275-280.