Chameleon Spheres as pH indicators

(Modified from Kanda et al (1995) Preparing "Chameleon Balls" from

Natural Plants. J. Chem. Ed. 72(12): 1131-2.)
Revised by Lubna Attal, Rashidul Bari, Shristi Singh, and Sammi
Weissman
Background
Anthocyanins are compounds found in flowers and plants that change
color based on the pH of their immediate environment. Using the
anthocyanins from red cabbage and a protocol for making sodium
alginate spheres, we can use these spheres to test the pH of acidic
and basic household products and foods. Acids will turn bright
pink/red and bases will turn orange/yellow. One benefit of using the
spheres is that the process is reversible for about five times (shows
chemical equilibrium concept, could be used during a reaction) and
takes place over a few minutes so students can see the change
happen.
The spheres and solutions can be prepared in advance in the interest
of time/safety concerns.
Materials
600ml glass beaker
100g chopped red cabbage
tap water
hot plate
100ml graduated cylinder
glass stirring rods
scale
weighing paper
spatulas
paper coffee filters
mesh filter
glass dropper
50ml 2% sodium alginate solution in 100ml glass beaker
200ml 1% calcium chloride solution in 250ml glass beaker
100ml 0.1M NaOH
100 ml 0.1M HCl
Vinegar / 5% cream of tartar, sodium carbonate / ammonia
Clear plastic cups (shot glasses?)
Procedure
>Heat 400ml water on heat plate until near boiling
>Add 100g chopped cabbage to boiling water, continue to boil for 10

minutes
>While cabbage is boiling prepare sodium alginate and calcium
chloride solutions
TIP: *Sodium alginate will take awhile to dissolve, complete this by
heating gently and stirring
*To make 50ml 2% sodium alginate add 1g powder to 50ml H2O
*To make 200ml 1% calcium chloride add 2g powder to 200ml calcium
chloride
>Cool cabbage + water to room temp using an ice or water bath
>Filter cabbage solution into a new beaker
TIP: *use 2-3 filters to prevent tears in the paper
>Mix 20ml sodium alginate and 30 ml filtered cabbage solution until
homogeneous
>To a beaker with 100ml calcium chloride, add the alginate-cabbage
solution drop-wise while stirring gently to avoid clumping
>When the balls are formed, rinse several times in clear water
TIP: *use a mesh filter to assist with rinsing
>Store in the fridge overnight in the remaining calcium chloride
solution so chameleon balls solidify further
>Test pH of acids and bases (household solutions) by adding
chameleon balls and watching color changes
TIP: *keep extra filtered cabbage solution for future use