Explain why the commercial indicators are more preferred to the plant extract in identifying acidic or basic substances

Answer 1

Commercial indicators are more preferred than plant extracts in identifying acidic or basic substances for several reasons:

1. Specificity: Commercial indicators are developed through scientific research and testing, which ensures their specificity and accuracy in determining the acidity or basicity of a substance. These indicators undergo rigorous quality control measures, making them less prone to error or misinterpretation. On the other hand, plant extracts can vary in composition and may contain multiple compounds, making their results less reliable and specific.

2. Consistency: Commercial indicators are manufactured under controlled conditions, ensuring consistency in their chemical composition and properties. This consistency makes them more reliable and reproducible in identifying different acidic or basic substances. Plant extracts, on the other hand, can have variations in their chemical concentration depending on factors like plant species, growth conditions, and extraction techniques, which can lead to inconsistent and unreliable results.

3. Accessibility: Commercial indicators are readily available in the market and can be easily obtained in standardized forms. They come in different presentations such as pH papers, pH meters, or indicator solutions, making them convenient for a wide range of applications. In contrast, plant extracts would require additional steps for extraction and preparation, making them less accessible and more time-consuming.

4. Sensitivity and range: Commercial indicators are formulated to cover a wide range of pH values, allowing for precise determination of acidity or basicity. These indicators often change color within specific pH ranges, making them sensitive to small changes in acidity or basicity. Plant extracts may lack the sensitivity to detect subtle pH changes or may not cover the necessary pH range for accurate identification.

5. Standardization: Commercial indicators are produced and used in accordance with established standards and protocols. This standardization ensures consistent and comparable results across different laboratories or applications. Plant extracts, however, lack such standardization, making their results less comparable and harder to generalize.

Overall, commercial indicators are preferred over plant extracts due to their specificity, consistency, accessibility, sensitivity, and standardization. These factors contribute to their reliability and accuracy in identifying acidic or basic substances.