Production and Characterization of Ink from the Milky Fluid of Ficus vasta and Euphorbia abyssinica

Different types of inks are imported to Ethiopia; however, the country has strong potential plants that can be used to produce inks. Due to this, it is necessary to produce writing ink from locally available plants like Ficus vasta and Euphorbia abyssinica. The main objective of this research was aimed at the formulation and characterization of ink from the milky fluid of F. vasta and E. abyssinica with methanol as solvent, soot as pigment, black berry as colorant, and vinegar as additive (preservative). The raw materials were collected and prepared for further process. Then, the effects of solvent concentration (50%, 75%, and 100% methanol) and mixing ratio (R1, R2, and R3) of F. vasta to E. abyssinica on ink properties were investigated. The experimental results were collected and characterized in terms of pH, viscosity, and drying time, and their values were found 5.56 ± 0.04, 1.35 ± 0.048 mNs/m2, and 2.37 ± 0.035 s respectively, at R3 (102.8:51.4) and 75% v/v methanol concentration. These results clearly showed that F. vasta and E. abyssinica have the potential to produce writing ink.