Educational Innovations Red Cabbage Extract pH Indicator Powder — 5-gallon concentrate, plant-based classroom-safe

Educational Innovations Red Cabbage Extract is a powdered, food-safe universal acid/base indicator you dissolve to make up to five gallons of pH-sensitive solution that shifts color from red to green as pH rises.

This powdered red cabbage extract gives teachers, students, and hobby chemists a safer, plant-based alternative to synthetic indicators like phenolphthalein. Dissolved in water it produces a vivid spectrum of colors across acidic, neutral, and basic ranges; match those colors to a chart to estimate pH without expensive meters. The concentrate is compact for storage, simple to prepare, and accompanied by a downloadable material safety data sheet for lab compliance.

How do I prepare the indicator solution from the powder?

Mixing the extract is straightforward: combine the powdered concentrate with distilled or filtered water and strain any solids for a clear working solution. Allow the mixture to steep and cool fully so the pigments develop their full color range before use.

• Typical yield: enough to make about five gallons of indicator solution.
• Use distilled water for most consistent color responses.
• Steep time and gentle heating can accelerate extraction; cool before testing.
• Filter through fine muslin or coffee filter for a clear indicator.

What pH range and color changes should I expect?

Red cabbage extract contains anthocyanin pigments that respond across a broad pH spectrum, producing distinct hues as acidity or alkalinity changes. Colors transition gradually so you can visually estimate whether a solution is acidic, neutral, or basic and compare against an included color chart for pH approximation.

• Acidic solutions: red to pink tones.
• Near neutral: purple hues.
• Basic solutions: green to yellow-green shifts.
• Matches typical classroom color charts for quick pH estimation.

Is this product safe for classroom demonstrations and experiments?

Yes — this plant-derived extract is widely used in education because it avoids some hazards of synthetic indicators, making demonstrations and student experiments more approachable. Still follow standard laboratory safety: avoid ingestion and protect eyes and clothing, and consult the downloadable MSDS for handling and disposal guidance.

• Safer alternative to phenolphthalein for many educational settings.
• Non-toxic plant-based indicator, suitable for demos and labs.
• Always wear eye protection and gloves during procedures.
• MSDS available to review storage and disposal instructions.

Who is this for: Educators, science clubs, homeschoolers, and DIY experimenters who want an inexpensive, visually striking, and safer universal pH indicator. It’s designed for classroom use, demonstrations, and beginner chemistry labs needing a broad-range visual indicator without specialized equipment. The powdered format keeps shipping and storage compact while giving you enough concentrate to prepare large volumes of working solution for multiple lessons or activities.

Features and compatible products: Related items include CK-600, BIT-120, SM-925, and WTR-100. Note that tax exemptions cannot be honored. For detailed safety, preparation tips, and material data, download the product MSDS before first use.