COMPARITIVE STUDY OF

COMMERCIAL ANTACIDS
A Project Report

Submitted by

VENKATA VIVEK G

In partial fulfillment of the

CBSE GRADE XII

IN

CHEMISTRY
AT

AECS MAGNOLIA MAARUTI PUBLIC SCHOOL

Arekere, Off Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore- 560076

2012-13
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that VENKATA VIVEK G of Grade XII, AECS MAGNOLIA

MAARUTI PUBLIC SCHOOL, BANGALORE with Register Number
M/2/13/41079/0034 has satisfactorily completed the project in CHEMISTRY on
COMPARITIVE STUDY OF COMMERCIAL ANTACIDS in partial fulfillment of
the requirements of AISSCE as prescribed by CBSE in the year 2012-13.

Signature of the Signature of the

Candidate Teacher In-Charge

Signature of the Signature of the

Principal External Examiner
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The enduring pages of the work are the cumulative sequence of extensive guidance
and arduous work. I wish to acknowledge and express my personal gratitude to all
those without whom this project could not have been reality.

First and foremost, I would like to express my deep gratitude to our principal,
Dr.Seema Goel for providing us with state of the art laboratories and infrastructure
and also providing her valuable suggestions and feedback, which were instrumental
in shaping up the project work. Without her help, this project would remain
unaccomplished.

I would like to sincerely thank our chemistry faculty Mrs. Sowmiya and Mrs.
Neelam for spending their precious time with us enhancing our knowledge
regarding project. Their help is unforgettable as this project is built on the concepts
that they have taught us. They always motivated us and ensured that we were on the
right track.

My heartfelt thanks to my parents and other family members who have

constantly motivated and supported me during the making of this project work.

This project would be incomplete without thanking my peers who always lent a
helping hand and showed true spirit of unity and friendship.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the authors and publishers of
the books and managements of the websites, we referred to(as in Bibliography), for
having provided us with us valuable information.

Signature of the student

 ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviations Expansions

pH Power of hydrogen ion

GERD Gastric esophageal reflux disease
N/10 0.1 normal
Ml Milliliters
OTC Over the counter
H-2 Histamine-2
Aq aqueous
HOMO Highest occupied molecular orbit
LUMO Lowest unoccupied molecular orbit

Chemical formulae:

Chemical formulae Expansions

HCl Hydrochloric acid

NaOH Sodium hydroxide
Na2CO3 Sodium carbonate
H3O+/H+ Hydronium ion
H2SO4 Sulphuric aid
HSO4- Bisulphate ion
Cl- Chloride ion
H2O Water
OH- Hydroxyl ion
 INDEX
Serial No. CONTENT PAGE NO.

I INTRODUCTION 1

II OBJECTIVE 7

III THEORY 8
MATERIALS
IV REQUIRED 13

V PROCEDURE 15

VI PRECAUTIONS 19

VII OBSERVATIONS 21

VIII RESULT 24

IX SUMMARY 25

X BIBLIOGRAPHY 26
 INTRODUCTION

It is well known that the food we take undergoes a series of complex reactions
within the body which constitute digestion and metabolism. These reactions are
catalyzed by enzymes which are very specific in their action and can function
properly only when the pH of the medium is within a specific range.

Some enzymes require mildly alkaline conditions while others operate only in
weakly acidic media. Amongst the latter category of enzymes are the enzymes that
control the digestion of proteins present in the food as it reaches the stomach. In the
stomach, dilute hydrochloric acid is secreted and it provides mildly acidic
conditions required for the functioning of protein digesting enzymes in the stomach.

Gastric acid is a digestive fluid, formed in the stomach. It has a pH of 1.5 to 3.5 and
is composed of 0.5 % hydrochloric acid (HCl). It is produced by cells lining the
stomach, which are coupled to systems to increase acid production when needed.

Other cells in the stomach produce bicarbonate to buffer the acid, ensuring the pH
does not drop too low (acid reduces pH). Also cells in the beginning of the small
intestine, or duodenum, produce large amounts of bicarbonate to completely
neutralize any gastric acid that passes further down into the digestive tract. The
bicarbonate-secreting cells in the stomach also produce and secrete mucus. Mucus
forms a viscous physical barrier to prevent gastric acid from damaging the stomach.
However, sometimes the stomach begins to secrete an excess of HCl. This leads to a
condition known as Gastric Hyperacidity. This condition can also be triggered by
the intake of to much food or highly spiced food. This, in turn, makes the stomach
lining cells to secrete more acid resulting in Hyperacidity. It also leads to acute
discomfort due to indigestion.

To counter this situation, substances like Antacids or literally anti - acids, have been
developed. Antacids are commercial products that neutralize the excess acid in the
stomach providing a sensation of relief to the person. The action of antacids is
based on the fact that a base can neutralize an acid forming salt and water.

Common antacids satisfy the condition – right amount of alkali that can neutralize
the acid. If the content of alkali in the antacid is too high, no doubt acidity is
relieved, but it’ll create alkaline conditions that makes the digestive enzymes
ineffective.

To make sure that the pH of the stomach remains in a specific range, many
substances are added to the antacids.

Working of Antacids
 If the antacid contains NaHCO3 then the reactions that occur in the
stomach are:

Na+ + HCO3- + H+ + Cl- NaCl + H2CO3

H2CO3 H2O + CO2

The excess Na+ and HCO3- ions are absorbed by the walls of the small intestines as the
food passes through

The H2CO3 formed during the reaction decomposes rapidly to form water and carbon
dioxide gas.

Types of Antacids
 Sodium Antacids (Alka-Seltzer, Bromo-Seltzer and Others): Sodium bicarbonate
(commonly known as baking soda) is perhaps the best-known of the sodium-containing
antacids. It is potent and fast-acting. As its name suggests, it is high in sodium. If you're
on a salt-restricted diet, and especially if the diet is intended to treat high blood
pressure (hypertension), take a sodium-containing antacid only under a doctor's orders.

 Calcium Antacids (Tums, Alka-2, Titralac and Others): Antacids in the form
of calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate are also potent and fast-acting. Regular or
heavy doses of calcium (more than five or six times per week) can cause constipation.
Heavy and extended use of this product may clog your kidneys and cut down the
amount of blood they can process. Extended use of calcium antacids can also
cause kidney stones.

 Magnesium Antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, Riopan, Gelusil and Others): Magnesium

salts come in many forms -- carbonate, glycinate, hydroxide, oxide, trisilicate, and
aluminosilicate. Magnesium has a mild laxative effect; it can cause diarrhea. For this
reason, magnesium salts are rarely used as the only active ingredients in an antacid, but
are combined with aluminum, which counteracts the laxative effect. (The brand names
listed above all contain magnesium-aluminum combinations.) Like calcium,
magnesium may cause kidney stones if taken for a prolonged period, especially if the
kidneys are functioning improperly to begin with. A serious magnesium overload in the
bloodstream (hypermagnesaemia) can also cause blood pressure to drop, leading to
respiratory or cardiac depression -- a potentially dangerous decrease in lung or heart
function.

 Aluminum Antacids (Rolaids, ALternaGEL, Amphojel and Others): Salts of

aluminum (hydroxide, carbonate gel, or phosphate gel) can also cause constipation. For
these reasons, aluminum is usually used in combination with the other three primary
ingredients. Used heavily over an extended period, antacids containing aluminum can
weaken bones, especially in people who have kidney problems. Aluminum can cause
dietary phosphates, calcium, and fluoride to leave the body, eventually causing bone
problems such as osteomalacia or osteoporosis.
Side effects

 Calcium: Excess calcium from supplements, fortified food and high-calcium diets, can
cause milk-alkali syndrome, which has serious toxicity and can be fatal.

 Carbonate: Regular high doses may cause alkalosis, which in turn may result in altered
excretion of other drugs, and kidney stones. A chemical reaction between the carbonate
and hydrochloric acid may produce carbon dioxide gas. This causes gastric distension
which may not be well tolerated. Carbon dioxide formation can also lead to headaches
and decreased muscle flexibility.

 Aluminum hydroxide: May lead to the formation of insoluble aluminium-phosphate-

complexes, with a risk for hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia.
Although aluminium has a low gastrointestinal absorption, accumulation may occur
mainly in the presence of renal insufficiency. Aluminium-containing drugs often
cause constipation and are neurotoxic.

 Magnesium hydroxide: Has laxative properties. Magnesium may accumulate in

patients with renal failure leading to hypermagnesaemia, with cardiovascular and
neurological complications.

 Sodium: increased intake of sodium may be deleterious for arterial hypertension, heart
failure and many renal diseases.
  Heartburn, reflux, indigestion, and sour stomach are a few of the common terms used
to describe digestive upset. Self-diagnosis of indigestion does carry some risk because
the causes can vary from a minor dietary indiscretion to a peptic ulcer.

 The pain and symptoms of GERD or simply "reflux", may mimic those of a heart
attack. Misdiagnosis can be fatal. A bleeding ulcer can be life threatening.

 GERD and pre-ulcerative conditions in the stomach are treated much more
aggressively since both, if untreated, could lead to esophageal or stomach cancer.

 It is primarily for this reason that the H2 blockers including cimetidine (Tagamet),
famotidine (Pepcid), and ranitidine (Zantac), and the proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
omeprazole (Prilosec) were made OTC.

 These drugs stop production of stomach acid and provide longer lasting relief but they
do not neutralize any stomach acid already present in the stomach.

Problems with reduced stomach acidity

 Reduced stomach acidity may result in an impaired ability to digest and absorb certain
nutrients, such as iron and the B vitamins. Since the low pH of the stomach normally
kills ingested bacteria, antacids increase the vulnerability to infection. It could also
result in the reduced bioavailability of some drugs. For example, the bioavailability of
ketocanazole (anti-fungal) is reduced at high intragastric pH (low acid content).

Over usage of antacids naturally have side-effects. As with anything in life, it must be used
in moderation. The following flowchart elucidates very clearly.
 II.OBJECTIVE

This project aims at analyzing some of the commercial antacids to determine

which one of them is the most effective by conducting a quantitative analysis.

Motives behind selecting this research project:

 Consumerism, in the era of global industrialization, plays a very important role.

There are various product options available for consumers to choose from.
Different manufacturers selling their products, attempting to sway public
opinion in their favor, marketing their products regardless of their effectiveness
in functionality. Hence it becomes the consumer’s right to experiment and
know the most effective, efficient, and value for money product. There are
various methods to conclude that a product out of all the given competitors is
the best. Experimental research is the most rational and convincing one of those
methods. The result of this analysis could be used to inform oneself as to which
antacid is the best and provides best relief.

 Apart from the economic perspective, the titrations that are conducted as a part
of this experiment is in itself an attracting aspect. The prospect of making color
changing solutions, the thrill of chemical reactions, and conducting them with
accuracy is probably the most interesting part of titrations and the whole
project.
 III.THEORY

Antacids react with excess stomach acid by neutralization.

i.e. HCl + NaOH → H2O + NaCl

During the process, hydrogen ions H+ from the acid (proton donor) or a hydronium ion

H3O+ and hydroxide ions OH Θ from the base (proton acceptor) react together to form a

water molecule H2O. In the process, a salt is also formed when the anion from acid and the

cation from base react together. Neutralization reactions are generally classified as

exothermic since heat is released into the surroundings.

Acids are proton donors which convert into conjugated bases. They are generally pure

substances which contain hydrogen ions (H+) or cause them to be produced in solutions.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are common examples. In water, these

break apart into ions:

HCl → H+(aq) + ClΘ(aq) OR

H2SO4 → H+(aq) + HSO 4 Θ(aq)

Bases are proton acceptors which convert into conjugated acids. They are generally

substances which contain hydroxide ion (OHΘ) or produce it in solution. Alkalis are the

soluble bases, i.e. a base which contains a metal from group 1 or 2 of the periodic table. To

produce hydroxide ions in water, the alkali breaks apart into ions as below:
NaOH→ Na+(aq) + OHΘ(aq)

Examples of bases include sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH),

magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). Antacids are

generally bases.

Explanation of action of neutralization of antacids :

The Lewis definition of acid-base reactions is a donation mechanism, which

conversely attributes the donation of electron pairs from bases and the acceptance by

acids.

Ag + + 2 :NH3 → [H3N :Ag: NH3]+

(A silver cation reacts as an acid with ammonia which acts as an electron-pair donor,

forming an ammonia-silver adduct)

In reactions between Lewis acids and bases, there is the formation of an adduct when the

highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of a molecule, such as NH3 with available lone

electron pair(s) donates lone pairs of electrons to the electron-deficient molecule's lowest

unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) through a co-ordinate covalent bond; in such a

reaction, the HOMO-interacting molecule acts as a base, and the LUMO-interacting

molecule acts as an acid. In highly-polar molecules, such as boron trifluoride (BF3), the

most electronegative element pulls electrons towards its own orbitals, providing a more

positive charge on the less-electronegative element and a difference in its electronic

structure due to the axial or equatorial orbiting positions of its electrons, causing repulsive
effects from lone pair-bonding pair (Lp-Bp) interactions between bonded atoms in excess of

those already provided by bonding pair-bonding pair (Bp-Bp) interactions.

Determination of concentrations of substances in neutralization:

The experimental method about neutralization is the acid-base titration. An acid- base

titration is a method that allows quantitative analysis of the concentration of an unknown

acid or base solution. It makes use of the neutralization reaction that occurs between acids

and bases, and that we know how acids and bases will react if we know their formula.

Before starting the titration a suitable pH indicator must be chosen. In this project,

phenolphthalein is chosen. The endpoint of the reaction, the point at which all the

reactants have reacted, will have a pH dependent on the relative strengths of the acid and

base used. The pH of the endpoint can be estimated using the following rules:

• A strong acid will react with a strong base to form a neutral (pH=7) solution.

• A strong acid will react with a weak base to form an acidic (pH<7) solution.
• A weak acid will react with a strong base to form a basic (pH>7) solution.

Phenolphthalein is used to determine the end point of the titration which indicates complete

neutralization. In the presence of, an acid solution is colourless, a basic solution is very dark

pink, and a neutral solution is very pale pink. At this point the solution is very slightly basic,

with a negligible amount of excess NaOH. By keeping track of exactly how much NaOH is

needed to complete the neutralization process, the amount of HCl originally neutralized by

the antacid can be calculated. The difference between the number of moles of HCl initially

added to the antacid and the number of moles of HCl neutralized by the NaOH during the

titration is the number of moles neutralized by the antacid. Several antacids will be tested

and the relative strengths of each will be compared.

Nature of phenolphthalein:

Phenolphthalein is a chemical compound with the formula C20 H14 O4. It is insoluble in

water, and is usually dissolved in alcohols for use in experiments. It is itself a weak acid,

which can lose H+ ions in solution. The phenolphthalein molecule is colorless. However, the

phenolphthalein ion is pink. When a base is added to the phenolphthalein, the molecule⇌

ions equilibrium shifts to the right, leading to more ionization as H+ ions are removed. This

is predicted by Le Chatelier's principle.

++++++++++++++++++++++ HYPOTHESIS+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our hypothesis is that the greater proportion of the active ingredient with stronger base

in an antacid tablet will have the greater neutralizing power. And thus, it will be more

effective to cure upset stomach.

IV.MATERIALS REQUIRED
The following were the materials required for the project:
a. Apparatus:
1. Burette(50 ml)
2. Pipette(20 ml)
3. Conical Flasks(250 ml)
4. Measuring Cylinder(10 ml)
5. Beakers(100 ml)
6. Standard Flasks(100 ml)
7. Filter Paper
8. Funnel
9. Bunsen Burner

10.Weighing machine
11.Clean & glazed white tile
12.Glass Rod
13.Water
14.Crusher
b. Chemicals:

1. NaOH powder
2. Na2CO3 powder
3. 10 M conc. HCl acid
4. Four different brands of antacids
5. Phenolpthalein
6. Methyl Orange

Na2CO3 Powder

NaOH Powder 10M HCl Solution

Antacids Phenolpthalein Solution

 V.PROCEDURE

1. First prepare approximately 1 litre of approximately N/10 solution of HCl by

diluting 10 ml of the given 10M HCl acid to 1 litre.

Approx. 1 L H2 O

10 ml -10M HCl 1 L - 0.1M HCl

2. Next prepare 1 litre of approx. N/10 NaOH solution by dissolving 4.0g of

NaOH powder to make 1 litre of solution.

4.0g NaOH
Approx. 1 L H2 O

1 L - 0.1M HCl

3. Similarly prepare N/10 Na2CO3 solution by weighing exactly 1.325g of

anhydrous Na2CO3 and then dissolving it in water to prepare exactly 0.25 L or 250
ml of Na2CO3 solution.
4. Now, standardize the HCl solution by titrating it against the standard
Na2CO3 solution using methyl orange as indicator.

Burette: 0.1N HCl

Flask:
0.1N Na2CO3 + Methyl Orange

5. Similarly standardize the NaOH solution by titrating it against standardized

HCl solution using phenolopthalein as indicator. Stop the titration when the pink
color of the solution disappears.

Burette: 0.1N HCl

Flask: 0.1N NaOH +

Phenolpthalien
6. Now, powder the four antacid samples and weigh 0.5 g of each.

1.0 g

7. Add 25 ml of the standardised HCl to each of the weighed samples taken in

conical flasks. Make sure that the acid is in slight excess
so that neutralise all the basic character of the tablet powder.

25ml 0.1N HCl

8. Add a few drops of phenolpthalein indicator and warm the flask over a bunsen
burner till most of the powder dissolves.
9. Filter the insoluble material.

10.Titrate this solution against the standardised NaOH solution, till a

permanent pinkish tinge ins obtained.

11.Repeat the same experiment for all other samples too.

 VI.PRECAUTIONS

1. Avoid touching the antacid with your fingers.

2. Be careful not to lose any solid when crushing the antacid tablet.

3. Avoid touching hot surfaces when working near the hot plate and be

cautious when transporting heated solutions.

4. The hot plate should not be left unattended .

5. Dilute HCl and NaOH were corrosive and can damage your eyes and

cause skin irritation.

6. The burette must be rinsed out with NaOH before use to prevent dilution

of the solution.

7. It should be made sure that there were no air bubbles in the burette tips.

8. Burette readings should be recorded to the nearest 0.05 cm3.

9. Sodium hydroxide should be removed from the burette as soon as

possible after the titration. It was because NaOH is corrosive and it

reacted with carbon dioxide in the air to form sodium carbonate which

was a white solid and clogged the tip of the burette easily.

10.Rinse all apparatus thoroughly using Distilled water. Any residual

chemicals could cause variations in pH readings.

11.Tap on the weighing machine after it shows required value to confirm a

precise reading

12.Pipette out the solutions carefully as it is possible to accidentally ingest

the solution.
 VII.OBSERVATIONS

 Standardisation of HCl solution:

Volume of 0.1N Na2CO3 taken = 20 ml

Indicator used = Methyl Orange

SERIAL BURETTE READINGS VOLUME OF

No. INITIAL READING FINAL READING ACID USED
(ml)
1. 0 17 17
2. 18 35 17

Applying normality equation,

N1 V1 = N2 V2
(acid) (base)

N1 x 17 = 0.1 x 20
Normality of HCl, N1= 2/17 = 0.11 ≈ 0.1

 Standardization of NaOH Solution:

Volume of the given NaOH solution taken = 20.0 ml

Indicator used = Phenolphthalein

SERIAL BURETTE READINGS VOLUME OF
No. INITIAL READING FINAL READING ACID USED
(ml)
1. 0 16 16
2. 17 33 16

Volume of acid used = 16 ml

Applying normality equation,

N1 V’1 = N’2 V’2
(acid) (base)
0.11 x 16 = N’2 x 20

Normality of HCl, N’2 = (0.11*16)/20 = 0.09 ≈ 0.1

 Analysis of antacid tablets:

 Weight of the antacid tablet powder = 0.5 g

 Volume of HCl solution added = 30 ml
 Volume of sample solution taken = 20 ml
for titration
 VOLUME OF (NaOH) USED
ANTACID
FOR NEUTRALIZING
UNUSED (HCL)

1.Eno Pineapple 29

2. Eno Lemon 24

3.Digene Lime 9

4.Omez 24

5. Pephyrous 40

6. Gelusil 22
 VIII.RESULT
 1g of Eno Pineapple required 29 ml of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) to
titrate it completely.
 1 g of Eno Lemon required 24 ml of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution
to titrate it completely.
 1 g of Digene lime required 9 ml of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) to titrate
it.
 1 g of Omez required 24 ml of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) to titrate it
completely.
 1 g of Pephyrous required 40 ml of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) to titrate it
completely.
 1 g of Gelusil required 22 ml of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) to titrate it
completely.

Based on the hypothesis of the experiment, the antacid which requires the least
amount of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) is the best antacid. From the recorded
observation, Digene© requires the least (5 ml), and is therefore the best Antacid.
 IX.SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Antacids play a very important role in relieving many patients suffering from
gastric hyperacidity, commonly referred to as gastritis. This project was
undertaken to analyze the best commercially available antacid according to the
amount of hydrochloric acid they could neutralize.
After exploring many books and websites to find out more about antacids, we
were clear of its role and its applications. We started our project by powdering
the various antacid samples and making sure that the apparatus were clean. Later
we standardized various solutions and prepared N/10 HCl solution and N/10
NaOH solution. This was done by titrating various solutions and using the
respective indicators.
The powdered antacid samples weighing 1 gram each was each added to 30 ml
of the standardized solution of HCl in separate conical flasks. These solutions
were later titrated with the standardized NaOH and the readings were noted.
These readings were helpful in deciding the amount of HCl that each antacid
could neutralize.
Various antacids could neutralize a specific amount of the acid. pephyrous was
the poorest among all antacids. Eno pineapple had a slightly higher alkaline
nature while Eno lemon and Omez proved to neutralize to same amount . Gelusil
had a higher concentration of the base. Digene had the highest basic character!
Thus, on the basis of the experiment conducted, it was adjudged that Digene was
the best commercially available antacid.

X.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Websites:
• http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/quick/csustan/antacid
• http://icn2.umeche.maine.edu/genchemlabs/Antacid/antacid2.htm
• http://www.chem.latech.edu/~deddy/chem104/104Antacid.htm
• http://www.images.google.com
• http://www.wikipedia.com
• http://www.pharmaceutical-drug-manufacturers.com

Books

 Comprehensive Practical Chemistry Class XII