INTRODUCTION
The use of synthetic inks in writing and printing has raised significant environmental issues including pollution and non-biodegradability. These environmental problems highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. Synthetic inks are chemically processed and is commonly used in printing and writing, but they pose a threat to the surroundings. These problems in the environment highlights the need for sustainable alternatives but plant-based inks, which comes from natural resources, helps combat these issues and will benefit our environment.
Alugbati or scientifically known as Basella alba contains natural chemicals such as protein, oil, carbohydrate, organic acid, vitamins, carotenoid (essential pigment produced by plants), and fibre that are all non-toxic and because of Anthocyanin present in alugbati, its extract can be a best alternative ink, it can be used as marker ink, for pen, and for stamp. This type of plant belongs to Herbaceous vine family that means it can grow any season so that sustainability is never an issue because it can provide the anytime use of ink. Basically, Alugbati ink can be renewable as the plant itself can grow any season and easy to reproduce it is also eco -friendly because there are no harmful chemicals used to make this product. Alugbati fruits contain rich anthocyanin because of its red-violet pigment. It is also has betacyanin that is water-soluble that gives a purple, blue, and red natural source pigment.
According to Hassebo et al. (2024), natural colors are more ecologically friendly and biodegradable than synthetic dyes. Natural colors come in four different varieties: those derived from plants, animals, minerals, and microbes. This demonstrates the potential of nature to provide sustainable solutions, encouraging us to rethink our reliance on synthetic materials and prioritize eco-friendly alternatives.
This research will concentrate to test and make an ink with the use of alugbati. It will also focus on analyzing how such fruit can be a good alternative for a non toxic ink, together with assessing its effectiveness and affordability. Alugbati are available in many areas thus, it can be produced cheaply than the ink typically sold at markets, also, this organic substance can benefit the environment by extracting less toxic inks. It reduces the exposure of a person on chemical substances that are present on the traditional inks used or synthetic inks. The materials used are organic and it can last longer with preservatives and produce a good quality shade of inks.
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Eco-friendly
Sustainable
smudge-proof