Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria Ternatea) Extract and Okra Mucilage as an Alternative Gel Ink for Pens

This study was conducted to develop an alternative gel ink for pens using Butterfly Pea flower extract and Okra mucilage in various formulations: Sample 1 comprised 90% Butterfly Pea flower extract and 10% Okra mucilage, Sample 2 contained 75% Butterfly Pea flower extract and 25% Okra mucilage, and Sample 3 consisted of 50% Butterfly Pea flower extract and 50% Okra mucilage. The study aimed to determine if there were significant differences between Butterfly Pea flower extract and Okra mucilage as alternative gel ink components across various formulations, concerning pH level, viscosity, drying time (on bond paper), surface area covered by dropped ink on the bond paper, and color. This natural ink could potentially be used to refill empty pen ink cartridges, thereby reducing plastic waste and the harmful effects of synthetic dyes. The researchers employed an experimental design and the F-test to ascertain significant differences among the three samples. Results revealed that the three samples showed no significant differences in terms of pH level, surface area covered by dropped ink on the bond paper, and color. However, significant differences were observed among the various formulations of the alternative gel ink in terms of viscosity and drying time on bond paper. Among the samples, Sample 1 exhibited the highest pH level, lowest viscosity, fastest drying time, broadest surface area coverage, and color-changing properties. Sample 2, with a pH level identical to that of Sample 3, ranked as the second most viscous, second fastest-drying, with the smallest surface area coverage, and also displayed color-changing properties. Sample 3, mirroring the pH level of Sample 2, was the most viscous, slowest to dry, with the second largest surface area coverage, and likewise exhibited color-changing properties.