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A Simple and Inexpensive Invisible Ink System Based on Red Cabbage Extracts

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Title: A Simple and Inexpensive Invisible Ink System Based on Red Cabbage Extracts
Language: English
Authors: Lauren A. Keiller, Iain L. J. Patterson, Dominic M. Stewart, Iain A. Smellie (ORCID 0000-0002-5829-6487)
Source: Journal of Chemical Education. 2023 100(3):1398-1403.
Availability: Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools
Secondary Education
Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: High School Seniors, College Freshmen, Chemistry, Science Instruction, Summer Science Programs, Printed Materials, Science Experiments, Plants (Botany), Demonstrations (Educational), Cost Effectiveness
ISSN: 0021-9584
1938-1328
Abstract: The use of red cabbage ("Brassica oleracea var. capitata F. rubra") extract as a pH indicator is a versatile and popular demonstration that is employed by educators in many schools and universities. Previous variations of this demonstration have used red cabbage extracts to prepare paper that changes color when solutions of acid or base are applied as "inks". In this report, we highlight the ability of red cabbage extracts to function as invisible inks. Colorless solutions are prepared by bleaching anthocyanin extracts with aqueous sodium metabisulfite, and the resulting mixture can then be used to write hidden messages on paper. The invisible messages can be revealed by the addition of citric acid solution, or by using potassium aluminum sulfate (alum) as developers. The demonstration does not require specialist equipment or chemicals, and options to use additional plant sources to prepare the ink are described.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1444267
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: A Simple and Inexpensive Invisible Ink System Based on Red Cabbage Extracts
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lauren+A%2E+Keiller%22">Lauren A. Keiller</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Iain+L%2E+J%2E+Patterson%22">Iain L. J. Patterson</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dominic+M%2E+Stewart%22">Dominic M. Stewart</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Iain+A%2E+Smellie%22">Iain A. Smellie</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5829-6487">0000-0002-5829-6487</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Chemical+Education%22"><i>Journal of Chemical Education</i></searchLink>. 2023 100(3):1398-1403.
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  Data: Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
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  Data: 6
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  Data: The use of red cabbage ("Brassica oleracea var. capitata F. rubra") extract as a pH indicator is a versatile and popular demonstration that is employed by educators in many schools and universities. Previous variations of this demonstration have used red cabbage extracts to prepare paper that changes color when solutions of acid or base are applied as "inks". In this report, we highlight the ability of red cabbage extracts to function as invisible inks. Colorless solutions are prepared by bleaching anthocyanin extracts with aqueous sodium metabisulfite, and the resulting mixture can then be used to write hidden messages on paper. The invisible messages can be revealed by the addition of citric acid solution, or by using potassium aluminum sulfate (alum) as developers. The demonstration does not require specialist equipment or chemicals, and options to use additional plant sources to prepare the ink are described.
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  Data: 2024
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 6
        StartPage: 1398
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      – SubjectFull: College Freshmen
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      – SubjectFull: Chemistry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science Instruction
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      – SubjectFull: Summer Science Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Printed Materials
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      – SubjectFull: Science Experiments
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      – SubjectFull: Plants (Botany)
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      – SubjectFull: Demonstrations (Educational)
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      – SubjectFull: Cost Effectiveness
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      – TitleFull: A Simple and Inexpensive Invisible Ink System Based on Red Cabbage Extracts
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            NameFull: Dominic M. Stewart
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