THE POTENTIAL OF BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER EXTRACT (CLITORIA TERNATEA L) AS A DYE IN A RADIOCHROMIC INDICATOR AS A GAMMA RADIATION SENSOR

• Main Author: Amelia, Oktrilina
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Kimia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/79573
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The use of gama radiation rays is currently expanding into the sterilization process of food products. The advantage of using irradiation techniques in the food sector is that it can reduce microorganisms, thereby inhibiting the rate of spoilage and resulting in a longer shelf life. The success of the sterilization process using the gama irradiation process is influenced by the accuracy of the absorbed dose of the irradiated material. Inappropriate radiation doses can cause damage to the product or the product may not form completely. Therefore, measurement and radiation dose are important to maintain the quality of the products produced and as a form of validation and control. One type of dosimeter with a simple, instant working system and providing direct information based on the color changes that occur is the radiochromic dosimeter. Radiochromic dosimeters can detect the presence of gama radiation based on color changes that can be observed visually. Dye is the main ingredient in making radiochromic dosimeters. The use of synthetic dyes is currently limited due to their negative impact on the environment and their toxic nature. This negative impact has encouraged research into making radiochromic dosimeters with color indicators derived from nature such as colored plant extracts to reduce the risk of harm to humans and be more environmentally friendly. This research was carried out for the development of making radiochromic dosimeter solutions using natural dyes in the form of butterfly pea flower extract (Clitoria ternatea L). The butterfly pea flower extract extraction process is carried out using a simple method, maceration. To increase sensitivity, natural polymers, polyvinyl alcohol 5 % and inorganic salts, MgCl2 1 M were added. The radiochromic dosimeter indicator solution was made with three variations, butterfly pea flower extract, butterfly pea flower extract-polyvinyl alcohol and butterfly pea flower extract-polyvinyl alcohol-MgCl2 with a ratio of 1:1. The radiochromic indicators were then tested using a Co-60 radiation source in a dose range of 1-4 kGy with a dose rate of 2,778 kGy/hour. A radiation dose of 1 kGy requires an irradiation exposure time of ± 21 minutes, a radiation dose of 2 kGy ± 43 minutes, a radiation dose of 3 kGy ± 64 minutes and a radiation dose of 4 kGy ± 86 minutes. Characterization was carried out using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR and colorimeter. The reaction that occurred in the radiochromic dosimeter indicator solution from butterfly pea flower extract after undergoing a gama radiation exposure test at a dose of 1-4 kGy showed a color fading phenomenon that could be observed visually. The fading of color that occurs in the radiochromic indicator solution after exposure to gama radiation indicates that the butterfly flower extract solution has radiochromic properties which can be used as a dye in radiochromic indicators due to its ability to respond to radiation exposure energy which has an impact on the color change phenomenon. The fading color is due to the presence of an anthocyanin derivative compound, namely delphinidin, which is contained in the butterfly pea flower extract solution. The delphinin compound which gives the purple-blue color to butterfly pea flower extract was detected at a wavelength of 622 nm. The presence of these compounds causes butterfly pea flower extract to have the potential as a dye in making radiochromic dosimeter indicator solutions. The color degradation phenomenon of butterfly pea flower extract reached 66,65 % at a radiation dose of 4 kGy. The addition of an additive in the form of polyvinyl alcohol was able to increase the sensitivity of the radiochromic dosimeter indicator solution to 0.234/kGy with the highest percent decolorization 91,73 %. The color degradation mechanism in the radiochromic dosimeter indicator solution is caused by a bond breaking reaction in the dephinidin compound which forms new compounds, namely chalcone and polyvinyl alcohol which forms peroxyl radicals. This radiochromic dosimeter indicator solution from butterfly pea flower extract with the addition of polyvinyl alcohol and MgCl2 can be an environmentally friendly alternative because it can detect radiation in the dose range of 1-4 kGy and can be applied in monitoring the food sterilization process.