The Potential of Alugbati (Basella Alba)
as an Alternative Ink
Umingan National High School
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Submitted by:
Group 4
Fonacier, Mark Cielo
Ramirez, Chris Anne
Escalona, Leah
Villarien, Rhian
Agustin, Ashrial
Navalta, Ethan
Quitiquit, Jhonaira
Submitted to
Ma’am Sasha Trinidad
Statement of the Problem
Most ink we use today like the local brand Panda, are made with chemicals that can harm the
environment. Because of this there is a growing need to find natural and eco friendly
alternatives. Alugbati (Basella Alba) seeds are known to produce a natural pigment, but little is
known about how effective they can be used as ink.
This study aims to find out if Alugbati seed extract can be a good substitute for commercial ink:
1. How does the pigment extracted from Alugbati (Basella alba) seeds compare with commercial
ink in terms of color stability and durability?
A. Alugbati seed-ink
B. Commercial ink (Panda brand)
2. How well does Alugbati seed-based ink adhere to paper surfaces and maintain its quality over
time?
3. How feasible is Alugbati seed extract as a practical and eco-friendly alternative to commercial
ink for writing applications?
Review of Related Literature
Locale
A study published in 2025 investigated the potential of Basella Alba as a marker ink. The
researchers developed a formulation combining seed extract with alcohol and vinegar using
maceration, producing ink with bright color, good adhesion, and a smudge resistance compared
to commercial marker inks. The basella alba seed inks have a milder odor scent, and shows
eco-friendly benefits by decreasing chemical usage. The storage of the life of these natural inks,
however was found to be shorter life indicating a need for improving long-term stability for
enhancement of long term quality for commercial application (Benoya et al., 2025).
Another researcher studied the feasibility of using Basella alba (Alugbati) fruit extract as an
alternative ink for pens and markers, emphasizing its affordability and eco-friendly potential.
(Sumilang, 2018)
Basella alba (Alugbati) is a fast-growing vine found in warm climates. It contains bright
reddish-purple pigments known as betacyanins. These naturally occurring, water-soluble
compounds are gaining interest as eco-friendly alternatives to artificial dyes because they are
biodegradable, easy to find, and cheap to process. Researchers and students have tested Alugbati
extracts for various uses. These include writing instrument ink, fabric dyes, cosmetic colorants,
and lab stains. Their motivation stems from concerns about synthetic colorants’ environmental
and health effects (Rendon, n.d.; Alugbati as Ink, n.d.; Hannah, n.d.; Carbon, n.d.).
The studies reviewed show that extraction techniques are generally simple and accessible.
Authors often macerate or blend fresh fruits, seeds, or stems, strain the pulp to get a colored
liquid, and sometimes concentrate the extract by gentle heating or evaporation. Common
additives to help with handling and short-term stability include mild acids like vinegar, alcohols
such as ethanol or isopropyl, and salts. Vinegar usually changes the hue toward red, while
alcohol helps with drying and inhibits microbial growth. Some projects even experiment with
common preservatives or sugars. However, results can vary significantly. The color strength,
drying properties, and application quality depend on the raw materials’ freshness, the extract’s
concentration, the amounts of additives, and the type of paper or fabric used (Hannah, n.d.;
Carbon, n.d.; Recario, n.d.; Alugbati as Ink, n.d.).
Practical trials reported in school and undergraduate projects show that Alugbati extracts
can create clear, readable markings when used in pens, markers, or brushes, especially on
standard bond paper. Various researchers have investigated different methods to isolate and use
the pigment from Alugbati’s fruits, seeds, and stems. Typically, this involves mechanically
breaking down the plant tissues by grinding or blending to extract the colorant and filtering the
mixture for a more straightforward solution (Recario, n.d.; Alugbati as Ink, n.d.; Hannah, n.d.;
Carbon, n.d.; Jerichoangelog, n.d.).
A significant issue found in the literature is pigment instability. Exposure to light, heat, and
air speeds up fading and discoloration. Aqueous extracts lacking sufficient preservatives are
prone to microbial spoilage and foul odors. Some tested solutions—refrigeration, airtight storage,
and adding alcohol or acid—provide temporary help but rarely extend shelf life beyond a few
weeks. These demonstrations consistently show ongoing problems: slow drying, smearing,
uneven coverage, and high pH sensitivity. Acidic mixtures appear redder, neutral mixtures look
purple, and alkaline mixtures turn bluish. This interesting pH sensitivity complicates achieving a
consistent commercial color (Rendon, n.d.; Hannah, n.d.; Alugbati as Ink, n.d.; Carbon, n.d.;
Recario, n.d.).
When used for fabric dyeing, the pigment fades over time unless fixatives or mordants are
applied. Cosmetic formulations face challenges with fading and maintaining stability. For
biological staining, its chemical instability limits reliable use (Hannah, n.d.; Jerichoangelog, n.d.;
Carbon, n.d.).
The work also highlights methodological limitations. Most investigations are exploratory,
small-scale, and aimed more at showing feasibility than providing thorough, quantitative
comparisons. Few studies use standardized testing protocols, such as ASTM or ISO methods, or
compare Alugbati formulations against commercial inks using objective measures like
lightfastness, smear resistance, drying time, and archival stability. There is also a lack of analysis
on production scalability, economic viability for local producers, or any comparative
environmental lifecycle analysis against synthetic inks (Alugbati as Ink, n.d.; Rendon, n.d.;
Hannah, n.d.; Recario, n.d.; Carbon, n.d.).
These recurring gaps indicate clear paths for further research. Systematic optimization of
formulations—examining how pH, solvent ratios, and types or amounts of preservatives affect
color and longevity—would enhance technical reliability. Controlled and repeatable performance
tests against market inks could determine whether Alugbati meets practical standards. Further
research should include testing the ink on various surfaces and experimenting with better
preservation methods, such as airtight storage, refrigeration, or natural antimicrobial agents, to
improve shelf life and usability. Additionally, conducting straightforward economic and
environmental assessments would help uncover potential benefits for local communities, small
businesses, and educational institutions (Rendon, n.d.; Hannah, n.d.; Carbon, n.d.; Recario, n.d.;
Alugbati as Ink, n.d.; Jerichoangelog, n.d.).
In summary, Alugbati shows promising potential as a sustainable pigment source, but
current work is still in its early stages. Transitioning from classroom demonstrations to a
practical eco-product requires standardized testing, formulation improvement, and durability,
safety, and scalability documentation. This study aims to pursue these goals (Rendon, n.d.;
Hannah, n.d.; Alugbati as Ink, n.d.; Carbon, n.d.; Recario, n.d.; Jerichoangelog, n.d.).
Reference:
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ba-Stem-Extract-as-an-Alternative-Ink-for-Permanent-Markers
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-a-alternative-lip-tint-ingredient
Benoya, V. J., Rebalde, S., Saldariega, A., Sawangan, A. J., & Balogbog, Y. M. (2025).
Malabar spinach (Basella alba) seed as potential marker ink. Deleted Journal, 51, 63–77.
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