To what extent does Initial Shelf Life affect the Potency of Commercial Antacids?

Subject: Chemistry
Supervisor Name: Mrs. Collias
Candidate Name: Joson Thomas
Candidate Number: 000847-0104
Word Count: 3,790
May 2015

Abstract
In this experiment, I have inspected the following research question: To what extent does initial
shelf life affect the potency of commercial antacids?
Commercial antacids relieve acid imbalances within the stomach such as heartburn by
neutralizing the acid. Their potency however ranges depending on the molecular composition of
the antacids. The initial potency of a tablet of each of the three commercial antacids, Tums,
Gaviscon, and Acid Controller Complete, was investigated and compared to one another. They
were taken out of their packaging, crushed, and separated into eight sealed bags per antacid.
Over a span of eight days, the initial shelf life was monitored through three controlled
experiments in which 50 milliliters of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid was titrated onto three separate 50
milliliter beakers with 2 grams of one of the three antacids mixed with 200 milliliters of distilled
water. To indicate when the antacid solution turned acidic, a few drops of phenolphthalein was
added to it prior to titration and when it turned from pink to colorless, the amount of
hydrochloric acid used and the pH change were noted.

During the first few days, the charted results indicated that around 3 milliliters of hydrochloric
acid was necessary to neutralize the antacid solutions, but at the conclusion of the experiment,
only around 2 milliliters was necessary to neutralize the solution. This slight change indicates
that removing the antacids from their packaging over a period of time in their initial shelf life has
a small effect on the potency of the antacids. The initial pH of the antacids was 8 but once the
hydrochloric acid was titrated onto it, the pH went down to 3. The initial pH of the antacids was
not very basic as result of the inactive ingredients added for flavoring.
Word Count: 294

Contents

Page

Introduction

Acid Imbalances in the Stomach

Commercial Antacids

The Usefulness of a Titration

Hypothesis

Apparatus

Procedure

Synthesis of Antacid Solution

Titrating the Hydrochloric Acid onto the Antacid Solution

Calculations

11

Results and Analysis

13

Conclusion

16

Evaluation

17

Sources of Error

17

Limitation

17

Further Investigation/Unanswered Questions

18

Bibliography

19

Appendix Raw Data

21

000847-0104 1
Introduction
Commercial antacids are over-the-counter pharmaceutical products that are used to
relieve acid imbalances within the body such as heartburn; they generally help neutralize the
gastric hydrochloric acid and the inhibition of pepsin (Maton). They are accessible at any drug
store or grocery store and can be used without any detrimental side effects. Even though the
utilization of histamine H2 receptors and proton-pump inhibitors have aided in neutralizing acid
imbalances to a great extent, antacids still prove useful by incorporating a simple chemistry
concept in its use (H2 Blockers). When the antacid is ingested, it works with the acid currently in
the stomach as opposed to limiting the production of the acid (Antacids). There are a wide
variety of commercial antacids that consist of bases such as calcium carbonate and magnesium
hydroxide which differ molecularly and are combined with inactive ingredients which ultimately
serve to react with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach; like how a basic substance reacts with
an acid. From a broader scope, the use of antacids are safer and low-risk compared to a protonpump inhibitor in which its use can lead to the development of food allergies. Like with all
pharmaceutical drugs and medicine, antacids are packaged air-tight. Once the antacid is opened
from its packaging, it can be subject to changes to its potency over time but normally that would
take a few years. So I began to wonder if any changes would occur to an antacid in a short
amount of time. Yet more specifically, I wanted to know how potent one tablet of an antacid is in
a short amount of time. I knew antacids retained their potency for many years but I contemplated
whether if antacids can lose some of its potency, even if the change is very slight, in its initial
shelf life. As a result, it led me to examining the following research question:
To what extent does initial shelf life affect the potency of commercial antacids?

000847-0104 2
For this particular investigation, Tums, Gaviscon, and Acid Control was tested in a
controlled experiment for their initial shelf life over a period of eight days in order to see if
removing the antacid from its packaging for extended periods of times over these trials will have
any effect on its potency. Throughout the length of this research, the chemical and biological
aspect of antacids will be acknowledged and how they play a role in the reduction of its strength
in general.
Acid Imbalanced in the Body
H2 histamines, proton-pump inhibitors, and antacids would be meaningless without the
excessive presence of high acidic content within the stomach which is diagnosed as Acidity
(Native Remedies). Acid imbalances include heartburn and gastro esophageal reflux disease, and
the bodys overproduction of hydrochloric acid is one of the main causes of the disease. In a
normal abdominal environment, the parietal cells and g-cells of the stomach cooperate to
produce hydrochloric acid which kills bacteria and breaks down the ingested food by denaturing
the proteins (How Stuff Works). The average pH of this acid is about 3 and in order for the
stomach to protect itself from the corrosive acid, the epithelial cells secrete a bicarbonate rich
alkaline solution coating the mucosa, and this coating is a base which neutralizes the acid content
in the stomach after the food is digested (How Stuff Works). Sometimes acidic problems occur
due to the introduction of certain spicy foods or substance that causes inflammation to the
surrounding alimentary structures. However in other cases, the acidity problems arise when the
parietal cells secrete excess hydrochloric acid to the point where the bodys own mechanism
cannot neutralize it. Additionally, the lower esophageal sphincter inopportunely opening during
digestion allows some of the acid to escape through the stomach. As a result, antacids are
commonly utilized to combat the excess production.

000847-0104 3

Figure 1.1 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (MedicineNet).

In relation to the investigation of the potency of antacids over a short period of time, the
antacids are being titrated by 0.1 M hydrochloric acid through a burette which is the same
concentration of the acid secreted by the parietal cells. Despite the slight dip in strength, the
changes in potency derived from the experiment are obviously minimal, and the base would
continue to neutralize the acid.
Commercial Antacids
There are a variety of commercial antacid brands available as over-the-counter drugs or
prescribed drugs. They are orally ingested and react immediately with the stomachs acid. The
side effects are diminutive and like with other drugs, problems with the antacid arise when it is
taken in excess to the point where, in some cases, the high levels of calcium can cause milkalkali syndrome; it is classified as abnormally high levels of calcium in the body, making the
stomach content too alkaline, and can be fatal (Akhtar 2010). All antacids serve the same
purpose to neutralize the acid content in the stomach by raising the pH (Patient):

000847-0104 4

Figure 1.2 How a base in an antacid reacts with the acid content in the stomach (Tulane
University).
As seen in the illustration above, what typically happens when an antacid is ingested is
that the sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3, enters the stomach and immediately reacts with the
hydrochloric acid to yield carbonic acid which breaks down into water and carbon dioxide while
the sodium and bicarbonate ions are absorbed by the villi of the small intestine (Vivek 2013).
The varying factor of antacids however are the types of bases used. For this experiment,
Tums, Gaviscon, and Acid Controller Complete were used, and their bases were primarily
analyzed. The following table displays the main bases present in the antacids:

000847-0104 5
Table 1.1 List of Antacids Investigated and their Bases
Antacid

Base

Tums Extra Strength

Calcium Carbonate

Gaviscon

Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium

Carbonate

Acid Controller Complete

Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide

Down to the basic composition, antacids are usually composed of bases and inactive
ingredients such as preservatives and flavoring. But despite the wide array of bases that
neutralizes the acid, only a handful of them can be commonly used by pharmaceutical companies
in the manufacturing of antacids. The main priority for the bases is not only to effectively
neutralize the stomachs hydrochloric acid, but to also prevent injuries to the mucous membrane
and stomach lining; the primary bases used in antacids are calcium carbonate, aluminum
hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium
bicarbonate (Snyder). So since the active ingredients are bases, antacids never truly expire like
other pharmaceutical drugs which can be harmful to the body but instead, they lose their
potency.
But for this experiment in particular, only 2 grams of a tablet will be evaluated for eight
days in which each of the tablets of the three antacids will be dissolved in distilled water; so
throughout the investigation, a decrease in potency can be attributed to this. The inactive
ingredients on the other hand have been disregarded and the bases were the primary focus of
gauging the antacids potency with the titration. Essentially the antacids were seen as their

000847-0104 6
respective bases and there was fair ratio of the base to the antacid since the solution turned pink
when phenolphthalein was added.
The Usefulness of a Titration
A major aspect throughout this investigation was the method of titration, a procedure in
which a known amount of solute is used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution
(Purdue University). In terms of this experiment however, the solution that was being titrated
onto was already known as well as its concentration. This was an ideal method because the use
of the burette allows for precision when titrating the acid onto the antacid solution in which the
amount of acid used to neutralize the basic solution can be monitored. Indicators, such as
phenolphthalein, greatly help in determining the exact amount of acid used to neutralize the
solution by giving the solution a distinct color when it comes into contact with either the acid or
base and changes color when the pH changes as a result to the addition of the titrant from the
burette (Carboni). The measurements were then able to be carefully marked and analyzed to
indicate any kind of variation in potency. The illustration below best portrays the setup of the
investigation in which the hydrochloric acid was titrated from the burette and a 50 milliliter
beaker was used to contain the antacid solution:

Figure 1.3 Titration setup with the burette filled with solute and the beaker filled with the
solution. (Doc's Chemistry Lesson's)

000847-0104 7
Hypothesis
All antacids will lose their potency over time starting from their creation. Once the airtight container is opened, the exposure of the antacids to the outside environment will further
marginally weaken its strength. So in accordance to the research questions, To what extent does
initial shelf life affect the potency of commercial antacids?, the potency would decrease very
slightly during its initial shelf life. Within the first eight days, the prolonged removal of the
antacid outside its packaging will cause it to slightly lose its strength. Now since the antacids
will be diluted with distilled water throughout the entire experiment, it is expected that the
potency of the antacid lessen faster that it is supposed as opposed to using different tablets of an
antacid for each of the days. As the days progress, a smaller amount of the acid would be needed
to neutralize the base portrayed by the negative correlation in the graph:
Graph 1.1 This is a hypothesized graph intended to display the predicted negative correlation

Hydrochloric Acid Used

(mL)

between the amount of hydrochloric acid used over eight days.

The hypothesized correlation of the amount of hydrochloric

acid needed to nuetralize the antacid solution over eight
days

Days

Even though the burette might not be able to display the precise amount of acid needed, it
is known that the base will still be losing its potency. So the reason behind the slight decrease of
the potency can be likely attributed to the exposure of the tablet to the outside environment.

000847-0104 8
Apparatus
The following materials were used in the experiment over the span of eight days for each
of the three antacids:
Chemicals (per day/all days)

(Amount) Equipment

Tums Extra Strength Orange Cream (1g/8g)

(1) Burette ( 1 mL)

Gaviscon (1g/8g)

(1) 50 mL ( 5 mL) Beaker

Acid Controller Complete(1g/8g)

(1) 100 mL ( 5 mL) Graduated Cylinder

0.1 M Hydrochloric Acid (9 mL/72 mL)

(3) 250 mL ( 5 mL) Erlenmeyer Flask and

Rubber Stoppers

Phenolphthalein (15 drops/120 drops)

(1) Mortar and Pestle

(1) Electronic Scale
(1) Glass Funnel
(1) Gallon of Distilled Water
(8) pH Strip
(1) Weighing Boat
(1) Tape
(1) Marker

000847-0104 9
Procedure
An antacid solution was prepared for each of the three tablets, Tums, Gaviscon, and Acid
Controller, to use for the eight days. The procedure can be split into two main parts:
Synthesis of Antacid Solution
A single 200 mL antacid solution for each tablet had to be prepared for use over the span
of eight days in order to test for a change in potency of the tablet. For each day, 25 mL of the
solution was used to be titrated on. First, about 2 to 4 tablets of the Tums were crushed using the
mortar and pestle. Next, the weighing boat was weighed on the electronic scale which was then
reset to zero with the weighing boat on it. About 2 grams of the crushed antacid was measured
onto the weighing boat. Afterwards, 200 mL of distilled water was added to the 250 mL
Erlenmeyer flask. The 2 grams of the crushed antacid was then added into the prepared 250 mL
Erlenmeyer flask and sealed with a rubber stopper. The Tum solution was stirred thoroughly
until there was no precipitate present. The solution was ready to be used for each of the eight
days and the same steps were repeated to create the antacid solution for Gaviscon and. Acid
Controller. A piece of tape with the tablets commercial name was used to identify each of the
solutions.
Titrating the Hydrochloric Acid onto the Antacid Solution
For each of the eight days, 25 mL of each of the antacid solution were titrated separately
by hydrochloric acid. Prior to pouring out 25 mL of the solution from the Erlenmeyer flask, it
was shook until there was no precipitate present. About 25 mL of the solution was measured
using the 100 mL graduated cylinder and was then transferred into the 50 mL beaker. Soon
afterwards, the pH strip was used to collect the pH of the solution before titration. Next, a few
drops of Phenolphthalein was added to the solution until it turned pink. The burrete was then

000847-0104 10
prepared by adding 50 mL of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid using the funnel. The 50 mL beaker was
situated under the burette after it was prepared. The acid was carefully titrated onto the solution
until it became clear, and the pH and the amount of acid used were recorded. Following the
completion of the titration, the 100 mL graduated cylinder and the 50 mL beaker was thoroughly
rinsed. The same procedure for preparing and conducting the titration of the Tums was used for
Gaviscon and Acid Controller while resetting the amount of acid in the burette back to 50 mL for
each titration. Once the three titrations were complete for the day, the remaining hydrochloric
acid was poured back into its container. The lab was then cleaned and prepared for the next day.
Once the procedure was done and the data was collected for each of the eight days, each of the
three Erlenmeyer flasks that held the antacid solution were empty so they were washed and
cleaned out. All of the lab apparatus were cleaned and organized for future use as well.

000847-0104 11
Calculations
The following reactions and calculations made throughout the course of the investigation
can be seen in the following tables:
Table 1.2 This table shows all of the neutralization Reaction between the antacid solution
and the 0.1 M Hydrochloric acid.
Antacid

Bases

Neutralization Reaction

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO3(s) + 2 HCl(aq) ----->

Tums Extra Strength

CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Aluminum Hydroxide

Al(OH)3(s) + 3 HCl(aq) ----->

AlCl3(aq) + 3 H2O(l)

Gaviscon

Magnesium Carbonate

MgCO3(s) + 2 HCl(aq) ----->

MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO3(s) + 2 HCl(aq) ----->

CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Acid Controller Complete

Magnesium Hydroxide

Mg(OH)2(s) + 2 HCl(aq) ----> MgCl2(aq) + 2 H2O(l)

000847-0104 12
Table 1.3 This table shows the moles of antacid used.
Antacid

Bases

Moles

Calcium
Tums

Carbonate

0.0161

Extra
Strength
Aluminum

0.0256

Hydroxide
Gaviscon
Magnesium

0.0185

Carbonate

Acid

Calcium

Controller

Carbonate

0.0161

Complete
Magnesium
Hydroxide

0.0343

Calculations

000847-0104 13
Results and Analysis
The results and data of the lab will be interpreted and explained through the course of this
section. As predicted in the hypothesis, the amount of hydrochloric acid used to neutralize the
solution did decrease very slightly. The recorded data was done with accuracy regardless of the
1 mL error of the burette. Although some of the data remained the same for consecutive days,
the amount of acid used does decrease as seen in the table:

Table 1.2 Results of the amount of hydrochloric acid used to neutralize the solution over eight
days.
Antacid

Amount of Hydrochloric Acid used (1mL)

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.4

Gaviscon

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.4

Acid

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

Tums
Extra
Strength

Controller

000847-0104 14
Additionally, a negative correlation for each of the antacids can be seen based on the results in
the following graphs:
Graph 1.2 The graphed results to display the negative correlation between the amount of

Hydrochloric Acid Used (mL)

hydrochloric acid used to neutralize Tums over eight days.

The amount of hydrochloric acid needed to

nuetralize Tums over eight days
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
0

Days

Graph 1.3 The graphed results to display the negative correlation between the amount of
hydrochloric acid used to neutralize Gaviscon over eight days.

Hydrochloric Acid Used (mL)

The amount of hydrochloric acid needed to nuetralize

Gaviscon over eight days
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
0

Days

000847-0104 15
Graph 1.4 The graphed results to display the negative correlation between the amount of

Hydrochloric Acid Used (mL)

hydrochloric acid used to neutralize Acid Controller over eight days.

The amount of hydrochloric acid needed to

nuetralize Acid Controller over eight days
2.35
2.3
2.25
2.2
2.15
2.1
2.05
0

Days

As seen in the graphs, the amount of acid used was very close for each of the antacids,
especially Tums and Gaviscon in which around 3 milliliters of hydrochloric acid was used to
neutralize them. On the other hand, Acid Controller started with 2.3 milliliters of acid used and
gradually descended to 2.1 milliliters, making it the weakest of the bases whereas Tums and
Gaviscon ended up needing 2.4 milliliters of acid for neutralization. As for all the antacids, the
change was clearly not rapid and stayed consecutive for a few days as highlighted by the
horizontal lines in the negative trend. As for Even though the potency slightly decreased, it was
certainly not enough to alter the pH as it stayed consistent; this data can be found on Table 1.3 as
well as rest of the raw data in Table 1.4 in Appendix: Raw Data.
As stated in the hypothesis, keeping the antacid tablet diluted with water for eight days
did have an impact in the potency because a reaction occurred between the base and the water.
Since the bases are weak, the 2 grams of the tablet did not completely dissociate in the 200
milliliters of water, and the constant exposure of the bases to water in the closed environment
slightly weakened the potency. The daily removal of 25 mL of the antacid from the flask also
attributed to the decreased potency. Had a new antacid tablet been test for each experiment, the

000847-0104 16
decrease in strength would not have been noticeable. The pink color each of the solutions
immediately had when phenolphthalein was added proves that the bases were spread all
throughout the water although they did not dissociate. As a weak base, the reaction that took
place was greatly reversible and the base was present as its own molecules when it was diluted
with the distilled water (Clark). A chemical equation would not properly portray the bases
because they do not dissociate in water and remain as molecules as seen by the calcium
carbonate from Tums and Acid Controller.
Conclusion
As stated before, the following research question was: To what extent does initial shelf
life affect the potency of commercial antacids? Based on the data received from the experiments,
it can be deduced that the shelf life is affected to a very small extent. This is indicative of the
negative correlation seen in each of the graphs, Graph 1.2, Graph 1.3, and Graph 1.4, for the
antacids. All of the graphs have been combined to show how they all displayed a dip in their
potency:
Graph 1.5 The graphed results to display the negative correlations between the amount of
hydrochloric acid used to neutralize each of the three antacids over eight days.

Amount of Hydrochloric Acid used

(mL)

The amount of hydrochloric acid used to neutralize each of the

three antacids over eight days
3.5
Tums Extra
Strength

3
2.5
2

Gaviscon

1.5
1

Acid Controller
Complete

0.5
0
0

Days

10

000847-0104 17
Based on the graph, it clearly took a less amount of acid to neutralize Acid Controller and
just around the same amount to neutralize Tums and Gaviscon as stated before. Throughout the
experiment, Acid Controller always kept precipitating and its composition was not soluble in the
water unlike Gaviscon and Tums, therefore making it a less effective antacid. Through the course
of the investigation, 2 grams of the tablet was mixed with 200 milliliters of water and only 25
milliliters of water was taken daily for the 8 days so this can be primarily linked to the decreased
potency.
Evaluation
This section will discuss the accuracy in the conduction of the lab. Even though the
expected results were acquired, there were a couple main aspects that could have been changed
or added in the procedure of the investigation. First, the pH throughout the titration could have
been recorded at an interval of at least 5 milliliters of hydrochloric acid so a pH curve could have
been created to verify that the initial shelf does not affect the potency enough to alter the pH.
Also a separate experiment could have been conducted using 2 grams of each of the antacid per
day as opposed to using the same 2 grams throughout the 8 days so the data of that experiment
can be used to possibly verify that the potency did indeed dip slightly because the same 2 grams
was used for the entire investigation.
Sources of Error
In terms of measuring, the electronic scale, 200 mL Erlenmeyer flask, 100 mL graduated
cylinder, 50 mL beaker, and burette displayed the number as accurately as they can regarding
their own uncertainties; the electronic scale had an error of 0.5 grams and the Erlenmeyer
Flask, 50 mL beaker, and the burette had an error of 1 milliliters. Where the error would come
from is pouring out 25 mL of the antacid solution from the Erlenmeyer flask to the 100 mL

000847-0104 18
graduated cylinder in which some of the liquid was spilled. Additionally in some of the trials, the
titration of the hydrochloric acid onto the solution was not stopped exactly at the endpoint where
the solution turns from pink to clear. Although the data could have been rechecked multiple
times the numbers are going to be small and not vary much due to the nature of the investigation
dealing with the potency of antacids.
Limitations
There was no clear limitation in terms of the equipment used and data recorded. The
flasks held the antacid solution with no leakage, the graduated cylinder and beakers were intact,
the electronic scale was responsive, and there was no issue in allowing or stopping the titration
of hydrochloric acid from the burette. The only limitation was not being able to determine what
precisely caused the antacids to lose their potency.
Further Investigation/Unanswered Questions
As mentioned in the Evaluation, further investigation could have been conducted by
collecting data for pH curves and setting up another experiment using 2 grams of antacid tablet
for every day of the experiment. Additionally, an antacid directly from the package could have
been experimented on for its potency for each trial as opposed to leaving the same antacid
diluted in distilled water for eight days; this way, multiple tablets can be tested for a change in
potency instead of one tablet. However the main unanswered question that remains from this
experiment is how exactly the bases lost the potency. Based on observations and the data, it
appeared that the prolonged dilution of the bases in the distilled water was responsible for the
decrease however it was not determined if the problem lied within the bases reacting with the
water or if it was perhaps a fault in the conduction of the lab.

000847-0104 19
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000847-0104 20
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000847-0104 21
Appendix: Raw Data
Table 1.3
Raw Data collected from the titrations throughout the eight days.

Trial
(Day)

Antacid
Solution
Tums
Gaviscon
Acid
Controller
Tums
Gaviscon
Acid
Controller
Tums
Gaviscon
Acid
Controller
Tums
Gaviscon
Acid
Controller
Tums
Gaviscon
Acid
Controller
Tums
Gaviscon
Acid
Controller
Tums
Gaviscon
Acid
Controller
Tums
Gaviscon
Acid
Controller

Volume of
antacid solution
used (+/- .01mL)
25.0
25.0
25.0

pH before
titration

pH after
titration

Initial burette reading

(+/- .01mL)

Final burette reading

(+/- .01mL)

8
8
8

3
3
3

50.0
50.0
50.0

47.2
47.1
47.7

25.0
25.0
25.0

8
8
8

3
3
3

50.0
50.0
50.0

47.2
47.2
47.7

25.0
25.0
25.0

8
8
8

3
3
3

50.0
50.0
50.0

47.3
47.3
47.7

25.0
25.0
25.0

8
8
8

3
3
3

50.0
50.0
50.0

47.4
47.3
47.7

25.0
25.0
25.0

8
8
8

3
3
3

50.0
50.0
50.0

47.4
47.4
47.8

25.0
25.0
25.0

8
8
8

3
3
3

50.0
50.0
50.0

47.5
47.5
47.8

25.0
25.0
25.0

8
8
8

3
3
3

50.0
50.0
50.0

47.6
47.5
47.9

25.0
25.0
25.0

8
8
8

3
3
3

50.0
50.0
50.0

47.6
47.6
47.9

000847-0104 22
Table 1.4 Observations throughout the investigations.
Antacid

Observations
Tablet

Pinkish color

Solution before titration

Turns cloudy yellow with

precipitate

Tums Orange Cream

Solution with

Becomes dark cloudy pink

Phenolphthalein

Gaviscon

Solution after titration

Turns back to cloudy yellow

Tablet

White color

Solution before titration

Turns opaque white

Solution with

Becomes cloudy pink

Phenolphthalein
Solution after titration

Turns back to white color

Tablet

Pink color

Solution before titration

Turns pink with a little

precipitate

Acid Controller Complete

Solution with

Becomes dark pink

Phenolphthalein
Solution after titration

Turns back to light pink color