1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

A highlighter is a form of a felt-tip marker pen which can be used to draw

consideration to certain sections or words or sentences of documents or books

by marking them with translucent, see-through colors. It is an essential stationary

item for students as well as working people. The ink used in a highlighter pen or

in any other pens plays an important part in defining the reading experience and

comprehension, as well as the visual impact of the written message, to the

person reading them. The ink, is of no small importance, and in the end, it is the

one that determines the significance of the pen itself.

Ink is one of the most important components of writing tool today. There

are several brands of ink today in the market. However, all inks consist of a

colorant (the substance that provides the ink with color) and a vehicle (the liquid

or paste that carries and binds the ink to a surface). The selection of ink is an

important decision one must make in terms of the performance of one’s pen. The

wrong ink means a pen that one may struggle with to use.

This study attempts to find an alternative source of ink that can be used as

a highlighter, and at the same time, making it affordable to students.

Achiote (Bixa orellana) is a shrub or small tree that has an orange-red

pulp that covers the seed which is used to produce a yellow to orange

2

commercial dye for food coloring.

It is this dye that interests the researcher to pursue the possibility of

transforming it into an alternative source of highlighter ink.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study explored an alternative to the commercially manufactured, yet

environment friendly, highlighter ink from the seed of Achiote fruit. Specifically,

the study answered the following problems:

1. What are the characteristics of the different samples of highlighter

ink in terms of:

a. Color

b. Odor

c. Texture

2. Which of the different ink samples produced is most acceptable?

3. Is there a significant difference on the characteristics and

acceptability of the different samples of highlighter ink?

4. What is the effectiveness of the most acceptable sample of

highlighter ink in the following type of paper:

a. Pad paper

b. Bond paper

c. Notebook paper

d. Book paper?

3

5. Is there a significant difference on the effectiveness on the

highlighter ink in the different type of paper?

C. Hypotheses

The following are the hypotheses of the study:

1. An alternative highlighter ink can be produced from the seeds of an

Achiote plant which has a quality-like performance with those of

commercially manufactured highlighters in the market today.

2. The quality of the ink, in terms of color, odor and texture has the

kind of specifications that maximizes the writing experience of the

writer.

a. The alternative ink has the ability to be permanent.

b. The ink does not dry immediately due to the viscosity of

the ink

D. Objectives of the Study

The following are the objectives of the study:

1. To be able to produce an alternative source of ink that is cheap and

easy to be manufactured, especially by the students themselves.

2. To determine the potential of the Achiote pigments as alternative

color for highlighters.

3. To be able to produce an ink that is compatible with any paper

surface.

4

E. Significance of the Study

This study mostly benefits the students, as well as working people, whose

daily routine is to make use of a pen as part of their daily activities. The product

of this experiment may give them an alternative source for pen ink or

highlighters.

This study may give an alternative source of livelihood for those who are

willing to manufacture ink or highlighter from Achiote plant. This is an added

income or another business venture to augment one’s income.

This study may benefit other researchers to look for other sources of

cheap ink, as conditions by the characteristic of the Achiote plant.

This study may also benefit the community and the environment for the

added re-plantation of Achiote plant due to its ink source.

F. Scope and Delimitations

The researchers used Achiote (Bixa orellana) seeds as the source of

pigment for possible ink for highlighters. It involved laboratory trial and error

methods in determining the appropriate proportion for a workable highlighter ink.

The quality of the highlighter ink in terms of its applicability and

acceptability to different surfaces of writing papers, and also its physical

characteristics, i.e., odor, color and texture were determined. Some faculty and

thirty MSU-Integrated Developmental School students chosen at random

assessed the characteristic and acceptability of the different highlighter ink

samples. The chemical composition and shelf-life of the highlighter ink were not

5

included in the experimentation. The product development was performed in the

chemistry laboratory while the product evaluation was done within the school

premise for the school year 2011-2012.

G. Definition of Terms

Achiote It is the substance that was used to produce a

yellow orange or light orange highlighter ink. It

is the experimental subject of the study.

Alcohol It is a colorless, acid liquid that was mixed to

the Achiote powder.

Color It was the variable that was being determined.

Effectiveness To try if it is effective on the different kinds of

paper.

Glycerin It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that

mixed to the Achiote powder.

6

Highlighter A felt-tip pen which used to mark documents

with a vivid, translucent color. It is the

dependent variable/product of the study.

Highlighter Ink A liquid or semi-liquid material used for writing,

printing, and drawing.

Odor A smell desired for the product.

Texture A something desired If it is smooth or not

7

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE & STUDIES

A highlighter is a felt-tip pen which is used to draw attention to sections of

documents by marking them with vivid, translucent color. It is a fluorescent

marker used to mark important passages of text. It is used to take notes in

textbooks and it highlights the words that are important so that the words can be

easily identified.

Highlighters, by definition are just felt-tip pens filled with transparent

fluorescent ink. Sidney Rosenthal in 1952 was the first to invent felt-tip pen and

the device he used was squat glass bottle filled with ink and wool felt wick and

tip. Thus, the "magic marker" was born, so named for its ability to mark up any

surface. Despite his new invention, Sidney's Magic Marker Corporation was

never particularly successful given the large amount of competition and

innovation by others, and consequently, he was forced to sell the "Magic Marker"

brand name to Binney& Smith in 1989.

In 1962, the modern fiber-tipped pen was invented by Yukio Horie of the

Tokyo Stationary Company in Japan. These pens used bamboo for the fiber

(though synthetic fibers later replaced the bamboo) and were the first to use dyes

rather than inks to get their pigment.

In 1963, the Avery Corporation created the first "Hi-Liter" by introducing

translucent-ink into the cartridge. The pen came in various pastel shades but in

8

1978, they introduced the first fluorescent colors. The first fluorescent color,

coincidentally, was yellow which is why we stereotypically think of highlighters

being yellow.

Highlighter ink compositions can be prepared which provide improved

abilities to reduce smear during highlighting. Highlighter ink compositions can

include an acid buffer having a pKa from about 2 to about 6, a highlighter

colorant, and a liquid vehicle. The image for highlighting can be formed on the

substrate using any conventional printing technique, such as ink-jet printing or

other printing techniques. Application of the highlighter ink compositions of the

present invention to a printed image results in a reduced degree of image smear,

particularly when the image was produced by an ink-jet printing process. Further,

the acid buffer can be configured for reducing mobility of specific ink-jet

colorants. In this way, the highlighter ink composition can be specifically tailored

for reducing smear of various printed inks.

Ink is a liquid or semi liquid material used for writing, printing, and drawing.

It consists of a mixture of coloring matter-usually a pigment or dye-plus a vehicle,

or carrier that may be simply water or a natural or synthetic chemical compound.

Some ink formulas also contain additives to impart special properties demanded

by the method of application, the material to which the ink is applied (called the

substrate) or some other factor.

9

Figure 1. Achiote Seeds

Egyptian writing inks are the oldest of all inks. Mummies dating as far back

as 2500 B.C. were found wrapped in linen marked with an ink made of iron oxide.

Early hieroglyphics (picture symbols) were written with inks made of soot, water,

and vegetable gums.

Medieval monks invented a kind of ink much like our present blue-black

ink. They used crush galls (a lumpy growth found on the trunks of some trees)

mixed with iron salts such as copperas or green vitriol.

The development of Johann Gutenberg’s press in the 1400’s brought a

need for printing ink. At first printers use water-based writing inks. But these

flowed too freely and wouldn’t stay on the type. Very quickly the printers learned

that inks mixed with boiled linseed oil worked much better. This type of ink

became the standard printer’s ink and remained so for over 400 years.

Since the 1940’s the development of inks has accelerated because of new

products such as ballpoint pen and marking pens. New processes, such as the

replacement of linseed oil in printer’s ink with petroleum products and glycerin,

have provided inks that reproduced color better and dry faster. Even in today’s

computer age, ink remains an important tool in communication and the

preservation of information and knowledge.

10

All inks have the same basic composition: a colorant which is either

suspended or dissolved in a liquid of some type. Colorants can be either

pigments or dyes, and the difference between a pigment and a dye is the particle

size. Pigments have much larger particles than dyes. Pigments and dyes also

require different solvents, or liquids. Dyes are typically dissolved in water or

water-soluble substances, whereas pigments are usually suspended in oils or

petroleum distillates. Some inks have a mixture of dyes and pigments. While a

basic ink only requires two ingredients, most inks have additives that give the ink

additional qualities, such as buffering agents to control the pH of the ink or

fungicides to prevent fungal growth.

Achiote, sometimes called roucou or annatto, is a derivative of the

achiote trees of tropical regions of the Americas, used to produce a yellow to

orange food coloring and also as a flavoring. Its scent is described as "slightly

peppery with a hint of nutmeg" and flavor as "slightly nutty, sweet and peppery".

Achiote's Latin designation (Bixa orellana L.) was named after the Spanish

conquistador Francisco de Orellana during his exploration of the Amazon River.

Annatto has long been used by indigenous Caribbean and South American

cultures. It is believed to originate in Brazil. It was probably not initially used as a

food additive, but for other reasons, such as body painting, repelling insects, and

to ward off evil. The ancient Aztecs called it Achiote, and it was used for Mexican

manuscript painting in the sixteenth century. In the Caribbean islands, both fruit

and tree are popularly called Achiote or Bija. In India, annatto is known as

11

"sindoor" and is considered auspicious for married women. Applying annatto to

the forehead next to the hairline indicates that a woman is married.

Achiote has had many uses over the centuries in Latin America and the

Caribbean, including as a food dye, body paint, treatment for heartburn and

stomach distress, sunscreen and insect repellent. As a food additive, Achiote has

the E number E160b. The fat soluble part of the crude extract is called bixin, the

water soluble part is called norbixin, and both share the same E number as

Achiote. Achiote seed contains 4.5-5.5% pigments, which consists of 70-80%

bixin.

RELATED STUDIES

Rulona (2008) used Gumamela flower to produce ink. The study revealed

that after 5 trials, the ink produced met the desired objective. The color of the

highlighter ink produced is dark red due to the dye use and it dries quickly. It was

recommended that other parts of the Gumamela plant be used to produce

highlighter ink.

12

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A. Research Design

The research employed experimental research design to develop

highlighter ink from Achiote seeds. Trial and error was done to arrive at an

acceptable product. Three samples were prepared and evaluated using a Score

Card and a Hedonic Scale by a panel of teachers and students that picked

through convenience sampling.

B. Materials and Equipment

Materials:

• 2 graduated cylinder • 2 stirring rods

• 6 pieces of 50 mL beaker • 2 g Achiote powder

• Cotton buds • Strainer (white cloth)

• Dropper

Equipments:

• Analytical balance

Chemicals

• 20 mL alcohol

• 20 mL glycerin

13

C. Experimental Set-up

Table 1. Components of the Ink from the Achiote PlantComponents Sample A Sample B Sample C Control

Achiote extract (g) 1 1 1 0

Glycerin (mL) 10 5 0 10

Alcohol (mL) 0 5 10 10

D. General Procedure

Obtaining

Achiote powder was gathered. After which, it was strained using white

cloth. Then, weighed 1 g each using the analytical balance.

Ink Formulation and Testing

The Achiote powder was then mixed with alcohol and glycerin in different

proportions and was tested on different types of writing material such as: book

paper with computer print, pad paper with pen writings and bond paper with

computer print.

E. Product Development

Trials were conducted to achieve the desired extract. Teacher-evaluators

were asked to evaluate the product per trial and were asked to give suggestions

for the enhancement and improvement of the product.

F. Sampling Design

The panel of evaluators was chosen through convenience sampling. Thirty

IDS students were chosen to evaluate the product.

14

G. Procedures/ Instruments in Data Gathering

Score cards for sensory evaluation were used by the evaluators. The

Score Cards will contain the possible and preferred characteristics of the different

ink samples. The Hedonic Scale was used for the general acceptability of the

different ink samples.

H. Product Evaluation

The researchers utilized the Score Card and the Hedonic Scale as the

main instruments in gathering data needed for product evaluation. The

evaluators were asked to rate the desirable characteristics of each sample

product by using numerical rating from 1 – 5, where 5 is the highest and 1 is the

lowest. Specific descriptions per characteristics were laid out in Table 2 for easy

evaluation and minimize biases.

Table 2. Score CardRating Color Texture Odor

5 Orange Very Smooth Very Pleasant4 Light Orange Smooth Pleasant3 Dark Orange Neither Smooth Neither Pleasant2 Yellow Rough Unpleasant1 Very light Yellow Very Rough Very Unpleasant

The Hedonic Scale was used to determine the general acceptability of the

different samples of highlighter ink. The evaluators were asked to rate the

samples from 1 – 9, where 1 corresponds to “dislike extremely”, which means

least accepted, and 9 corresponds to “like extremely”, which means the most

accept product, as shown in Table 3 below.

15

Table 3. Hedonic ScaleRating General Acceptability

9 Like Extremely8 Like Very Much7 Like Moderately6 Like Slightly5 Neither Like Nor Dislike4 Dislike Slightly3 Dislike Moderately2 Dislike Very Much1 Dislike Extremely

I. Statistical Tools for Data Analysis

Based on the evaluation from selected students, the gathered data were

analyzed and interpreted to get the overall rating of the product. Statistical

procedures and methods were used, and the mean was employed to find the

characteristics of the different ink samples. The Kruskal-Wallis H Test was

employed to find if there is any significant difference among the samples

produced in terms of color, odor, texture, and general acceptability.

Mean

Where:n = sample mean

Xi = values in the set = sample mean

Kruskal- Wallis H Test for Significant Difference

16

Where:

N – sample sizeT – sum of ranks 1th sampleN – total number of observations

Score Card and Hedonic Scale Interpretation

Table 4. Score Card Interpretation GuideMean

RatingGeneral

InterpretationDescription

Color Texture Odor4.20 - 5.00 Excellent Orange Very Smooth Very Pleasant

3.40 - 4.19 Very good Light Orange Smooth Pleasant

2.60 - 3.39 Good Yellow Orange

Slightly Smooth

Moderately Pleasant

1.80 - 2.59 Satisfactory Yellowish Rough Unpleasant

1.00 - 1.79 Poor Dark Orange Very Rough Very Unpleasant

Table 5. Hedonic Scale Interpretation GuideMean Rating General Acceptability

8.12 - 9.00 Like Extremely

7.23 - 8.11 Like Very Much

6.34 - 7.22 Like Moderately

5.45 - 6.33 Like Slightly

4.56 - 5.44 Neither Like Nor Dislike

3.67 - 4.55 Dislike Slightly

2.78 - 3.66 Dislike Moderately

1.89 - 2.77 Dislike Very Much

17

1.00 - 1.88 Dislike Extremely

18

Figure 2. Flowchart of the Experimental Procedures

Gathering of Ingredients: Achiote powder, Glycerin, and Alcohol.

Ink Formulation

Testing by the researchers using cotton buds applied on th different types of paper

Pre-evaluation of Thirty IDS students

19

CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This study aims to produce alternative highlighter ink from Achiote

powder. The samples of the ink were then observed according to its color,

texture, and odor. Color was observed visually, texture and odor were observed

through the sense of touch and smell respectively.

Table 6. Mean characteristic of the different ink samples

Characteristic Sample A Sample B Sample C

Color 3.24 (Yellow Orange)

4.10(Light Orange)

3.86 ( Light Orange)

Texture 3.03(Neither Like nor Dislike)

3.59(Smooth)

3.55 (Smooth)

Odor 3.14( Moderately Pleasant)

3.93( Pleasant)

3.72 ( Pleasant)

Acceptability5.4

( Neither Like nor Dislike)

6.23( Like Slightly)

7.23( Like Very Much)

Sample A which contains 10 mL of Glycerin and 1 g of Achiote powder

was rated as yellow orange in color, moderately pleasant in odor, and slightly

smooth in texture. In terms of acceptability, it was rated as neither like or dislike.

Sample B contains equal amount of glycerin and alcohol, both 5 mL and 1

g of Achiote powder. It was rated as light orange in color, pleasant in odor, and

smooth in texture . Overall, it was rated as like slightly.

20

Sample C is composed of 10 mL alcohol and 1 g of Achiote powder. It

obtained the ratings light orange in color, smooth in texture, and pleasant in odor.

Sample C was liked very much by the evaluators.

It was found out that sample C was the most acceptable while sample A

has been accepted as neither like nor dislike and sample B has been accepted

as like slightly.

Each sample is applied to different types of papers with pen writings. All

the three samples applied to a pad paper with pen writings registered a light

orange color. The samples applied to a bond paper with computer ink showed

orange to light orange. The book paper with print also registered light orange to

colorless. The text can still be read clearly after the application of highlighter ink

but the computer ink jet blotted.

The researchers infer that Achiote powder is a potential pigment source

for highlighter ink based on the gathered result. Furthermore, alcohol (in Sample

C ) is a better vehicle for highlighter ink over glycerin (in Sample A ).

The difference among the characteristics and acceptability of the samples

of highlighter ink was assessed using Kruskal – Wallis H Test. Results of

computation is shown in Table 7.

21

Table 7. Calculated values of H of the different characteristics of the ink

Characteristics Calculated values of H Interpretation

Color 20.98 (2.78 E-05) Null Hypothesis is accepted

Texture 7.35 (.0253) Null Hypothesis is rejected

Odor 17.06 (.0002) Null Hypothesis is rejected

In table 7, the calculated values of H for the different characteristics of the

different ink samples at α = 0.05 are shown obtained through the Kruskal- Wallis

H test are shown. The value of H for color is greater than α = 0.05 therefore the

null hypothesis is accepted and it means that there is no significant difference

among the samples in terms of color. The value of H for texture is less than α =

0.05 therefore the null hypothesis is rejected and it has significant difference

among the samples in terms of texture. The null hypothesis is rejected because

the value of H of odor is less than α = 0.05 so it means that there is a significant

difference in terms of odor. The results show that the evaluators found

differences in terms of odor. The results show that the evaluators found

differences in terms of textures and odor among the samples, but nothing of note

in terms of color.

22

CHAPTER V

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Summary of Findings

This study was conducted with a main objective of producing highlighter

ink from Achiote plant. It was found out that highlighter ink can be produced from

Achiote powder. The ink is light orange in color. It has a pleasant odor and

smooth texture. Sample A is Neither Like nor Dislike, Sample B is Like Slightly

while Sample C is Like Very Much.

The highlight ability of the inks was also tested. Each sample was applied

to different types of papers with pen writings. All the three samples applied to a

pad paper with pen writings registered a light orange color. The samples applied

to a bond paper with computer ink showed orange to light orange. The book

paper with print also registered light orange to colorless. The text can still be read

clearly after the application of highlighter ink but the computer ink jet blotted.

B. Conclusions

It can be concluded that the inks produced from the Achiote Powder is

suitable for highlighting purposes. It can be concluded that the inks produced has

a potential to become writing inks that has light colors. Sample A is yellow

orange in color, has moderately pleasant odor, has slightly smooth texture and

23

has been rated as neither like nor dislike. Sample B is light orange in color, has

pleasant odor, has smooth texture and has been rated as like slightly. Sample C

is light orange in color, has pleasant odor, has smooth texture and accepted as

like very much.

Sample C is found out to be the most acceptable. There is a significant

difference among the different samples produced in terms of texture and color.

However, in terms of color, it was found out that there were no significant

differences among the different samples produced.

C. Recommendations

The researchers make the following recommendations based on the

results obtained from the research.

1. Find a better alternative source to enhance the highlight ability of

the product.

2. Use smaller filter so that the grains of the powder will not be

combined with the product.

3. Change the proportion of the chemicals used.

4. Find other chemicals to be added to your product aside from

glycerin and alcohol and observe their difference.

24

Appendix A

A. Gathering the materials- Alcohol- Glycerin- Achiote Powder- Stirring rod- Dropper- Graduated cylinder- 50 mL Beaker- Strainer

B. Ink FormulationThe researchers were mixing the ingredients by using the solute to solvent method. The researchers were making three samples. The researchers used Achiote powder instead of crude extracting because it’s easier to mix and find out the result.

(PS. The researchers forgot to wear lab gowns. c: )C. Product

This is the result of the experiment. It is now ready for testing.

25

Appendix B

Sample AColor Odor Texture

Evaluator1 3 3 32 3 3 33 3 2 44 5 3 25 3 3 46 3 4 27 3 3 38 3 4 39 3 4 2

10 3 3 211 3 3 212 3 2 213 5 3 314 3 3 215 3 3 416 4 4 417 4 5 318 3 3 319 4 4 320 3 3 421 4 3 422 3 2 323 3 4 324 3 3 425 3 3 426 2 3 427 3 2 228 3 3 329 3 3 330 3 3 3

MEAN 3.233333 3.133333 3.033333

26

Sample BColor Odor Texture

Evaluator1 3 5 42 3 5 43 3 4 34 4 4 45 3 3 46 5 4 37 4 4 38 5 4 39 3 4 4

10 5 4 411 4 5 412 5 4 413 4 4 414 5 2 415 5 5 416 4 4 417 4 5 318 3 4 419 3 4 420 5 3 421 4 3 322 5 3 423 3 2 324 5 4 225 5 4 226 4 4 227 3 5 528 5 4 429 5 4 4

27

30 5 4 4MEAN 4.133333 3.933333 3.6

Sample CColor Odor Texture

Evaluator1 4 4 32 4 4 23 4 4 24 4 2 55 2 4 46 3 3 57 4 3 48 4 4 59 4 4 5

10 4 2 511 5 4 412 4 4 413 1 5 514 1 2 415 4 4 516 4 3 317 4 3 218 4 4 419 5 4 320 4 5 421 5 2 222 4 4 223 4 3 324 4 4 125 4 5 326 5 5 327 5 5 528 4 4 329 4 4 3

28

30 4 4 3MEAN 3.866667 3.733333 3.533333

General Acceptability

Sample A Sample B Sample CEvaluator

1 6 8 72 6 8 73 4 4 74 6 7 65 3 5 76 8 7 67 5 7 58 7 6 89 5 6 9

10 4 4 711 5 6 912 3 6 413 7 8 914 6 8 815 7 8 816 4 2 717 7 8 818 5 5 719 6 7 720 5 2 421 6 5 522 4 7 723 5 5 724 4 8 725 6 7 826 6 7 827 6 8 928 4 7 929 6 7 9

29

30 6 4 8MEAN 5.4 6.233333 7.233333

Appendix C

RatingDescription

Color Texture Odor

5

4

3

2

1

Score Card

Rating Color Texture Odor5 Orange Very Smooth Very Pleasant4 Light Orange Smooth Pleasant3 Dark Orange2 Yellow Rough Unpleasant1 Very light Yellow Very Rough Very Unpleasant

Neither smooth nor rough

Neither Pleasant nor Unpleasant

Hedonic Scale

30

Rating General Acceptability9 Like Extremely

8 Like Very Much

7 Like Moderately

6 Like Slightly

5 Neither Like nor Dislike

4 Dislike Slightly

3 Dislike Moderately

2 Dislike Very Much

1 Dislike Extremely

Curriculum Vitae

Name: Michelle Angela Aba Gonzaga

Nickname: Mica

Birthday: October 22, 1996

Birthplace: Iligan City, Philippines

Sex: Female

FAMILY BACKGROUND

Father: Rony C. Gonzaga

Mother: Jocelyn A. Gonzaga

Siblings: Mary Arabelle A. Gonzaga, Melene Andrea A. Gonzaga

31

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Elementary: St. Augustine Academy

1st Honor – Nursery to Grade Six

Secondary: MSU-IIT, Integrated Developmental School

Name: Ella Joan Doplon Mendoza

Nickname: EJ

Birthday: October 24, 1996

Birthplace: Iligan City, Philippines

Sex: Female

FAMILY BACKGROUND

Father: Elmer M. Mendoza

Mother: Josie Vic D. Mendoza

Siblings: Jewel D. Mendoza, Janna D. Mendoza, Emmanuel D. Mendoza

Nephew: Johan Mendoza

32

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Elementary: Iligan City East Central School

With Honors – Nursery, Grade One, Grade Four, Grade Five and Grade Six

Secondary: MSU-IIT, Integrated Developmental School