Morus alba fruit - herbal alternative to synthetic acid base indicators.

Abstract

Abstract: Indicators used in titration show well marked changes of colour in certain intervals of pH. Most of these indicators are organic dyes and are of synthetic origin. Morus alba linn belonging to the family: Moraceae (Urticaceae); it is commonly called as white Mullberry; toola; tuk; shetu. Today synthetic indicators are the choice of acid-base titrations. But due to environmental pollution, availability and cost, the search for natural compounds as an acid-base indicator was started. The present work highlights the use of the acidified methanolic extract of the fruit of morus alba as an acid-base indicator in acid-base titrations. This natural indicator is easy to extract as well as easily available. Titration shows sharp colour change at the equivalence point. Therefore, this natural indicator is found to be a very useful, economical, simple and accurate for acid base titration.