Exploration of Salam Leaf Extract (Syzygium polyanthum) as a Natural Indicator for Acid-Base Titration: Color Stability and Endpoint Accuracy
DOI:
10.29303/jpm.v20i7.10547Published:
2025-12-07Issue:
Vol. 20 No. 7 (2025): in ProgressKeywords:
Green Chemistry; Natural Indicator; Salam Leaf ExtractArticles
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Abstract
Acid-base indicators play an important role in titration, but the use of synthetic indicators such as phenolphthalein is increasingly criticized for being toxic, carcinogenic, and environmentally unfriendly. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of developing bay leaf extract (Syzygium polyanthum) as a safer, natural indicator, thereby supporting the concept of green chemistry. The study was carried out in four stages, namely first, extraction with ethanol: water solvent (70:30 and 50:50), second, color change test in pH 4, 7, and 10 buffer solutions using visual documentation and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Third, validation of effectiveness in HCl–NaOH titration with phenolphthalein as a comparator. Additionally, stability and reproducibility tests were conducted over a 7-day storage period. The results showed that bay leaf extract remained stable for at least seven days, exhibiting a significant λmax change profile at 405–425 nm, which varied according to pH changes. This indicates the sensitivity of phenolic pigments to acidic, neutral, and basic conditions. In titration validation, the extract with 50/50 solvent showed an identical titrant volume to phenolphthalein (25.0 mL; deviation 0%), while the 70/30 solvent showed a deviation of -14.6%. Stability tests showed that the extract was relatively stable for up to 7 days in dark conditions with a decrease in absorbance <10%, while reproducibility tests produced inter-user variations <5%. These findings suggest that bay leaf extract has strong potential as a reliable, stable, and consistent natural indicator, making it a worthy alternative to synthetic indicators in environmentally sustainable chemistry education and research laboratories.
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Author Biographies
Nasirsah Nasirsah, Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Tapanuli Selatan
Fatma Suryani Harahap Fatma, Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Tapanuli Selatan
Rabiyatul Adawiyah Siregar, Postgraduate, Universitas Lampung
Elda Sari Siregar, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Tapanuli Selatan
Sahlan Tuah, Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Tapanuli Selatan
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nasirsah Nasirsah, Fatma Suryani Harahap Fatma, Rabiyatul Adawiyah Siregar, Elda Sari Siregar, Sahlan Tuah
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