Which Antacid Raises pH the Most? - Oklahoma Biological Survey
Which Antacid Raises pH the Most? - Oklahoma Biological Survey
Which Antacid Raises pH the Most? - Oklahoma Biological Survey
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<strong>Which</strong> <strong>Antacid</strong> <strong>Raises</strong><br />
<strong>pH</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Most</strong>?<br />
Biochemistry – Division II<br />
March 6, 2007<br />
Christopher Chan<br />
8 th Grade<br />
Classen School of Advanced Studies<br />
<strong>Oklahoma</strong> City, OK
ABSTRACT<br />
The purpose of this project was to find out which antacid neutralizes acid <strong>the</strong> most.<br />
<strong>Antacid</strong>s are commonly used for heartburn or upset stomach. The results could be beneficial for<br />
anyone who needs an antacid to soo<strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir stomach.<br />
To do this experiment, I tested seven antacids with vinegar. I chose vinegar instead of<br />
hydrochloric acid because it is not corrosive. With a <strong>pH</strong> of 2, vinegar has an acidity that is<br />
similar to <strong>the</strong> acidity of <strong>the</strong> stomach. The antacids tested were AlternaGEL, Gaviscon Regular<br />
Strength Oral Liquid, Maalox Maximum Strength Multi Symptom Oral Liquid, Mylanta<br />
Supreme Oral Suspension, Pepto-Bismol, Extra Strength Rolaids Tablets, and Extra Strength<br />
Tums Smoothies Smooth Dissolve Tablets. I added 30 mL of each liquid antacid or three of<br />
each type of triturated antacid tablets to 60 mL of vinegar. Then I stirred <strong>the</strong> mixture. After ten<br />
minutes, I measured <strong>the</strong> final <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong> mixture and recorded <strong>the</strong> data.<br />
I discovered that Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension neutralized <strong>the</strong> acid <strong>the</strong> most. Next<br />
was Extra Strength Rolaids Tablets followed by Extra Strength Tums Smoothies Smooth<br />
Dissolve Tablets, Gaviscon Regular Strength Oral Liquid, Maalox Maximum Strength Multi<br />
Symptom Oral Liquid, and AlternaGEL. Pepto-Bismol neutralized acid <strong>the</strong> least. The antacids<br />
containing a combination of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide neutralized <strong>the</strong> acid of<br />
<strong>the</strong> vinegar <strong>the</strong> most. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> use of Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension or Extra Strength<br />
Rolaids Tablets should be <strong>the</strong> top choices when choosing effective antacids.
INTRODUCTION<br />
My experiment is “<strong>Which</strong> <strong>Antacid</strong> <strong>Raises</strong> <strong>pH</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Most</strong>?” The purpose of this experiment<br />
was to determine which antacid is <strong>the</strong> most effective in neutralizing stomach acid. My<br />
hypo<strong>the</strong>sis was that if all antacids are not <strong>the</strong> same, <strong>the</strong>n I can discover <strong>the</strong> most effective<br />
antacid; <strong>the</strong>refore, I will know which antacid neutralizes acid <strong>the</strong> most. <strong>Antacid</strong>s are different<br />
because <strong>the</strong> ingredients in <strong>the</strong>m are different. I tested different combinations and forms of<br />
antacids. I used oral suspensions and chewable tablets. I tried to find out which antacid is <strong>the</strong><br />
best. The results of this experiment could be beneficial for anyone who needs an antacid to<br />
soo<strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir upset stomach.<br />
An antacid is a type of medicine that neutralizes stomach acid. It is used when your<br />
stomach feels upset. The <strong>pH</strong> level in your stomach is from 1.5 to 2.5. (1) I used vinegar that has<br />
five percent acidity for this experiment because vinegar has a <strong>pH</strong> of 2 and is less corrosive than<br />
hydrochloric acid. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid which aids in <strong>the</strong> chemical digestion<br />
of food. The stomach is protected from <strong>the</strong> acid by a mucous lining. This mucous lining<br />
prevents <strong>the</strong> stomach wall from being eaten up. (2)<br />
<strong>Antacid</strong>s neutralize stomach acid. They can be used when you have heartburn, an upset<br />
stomach, or acid indigestion. (3) <strong>Most</strong> antacids contain magnesium hydroxide, aluminum<br />
hydroxide, calcium carbonate, or a combination of <strong>the</strong>se. (4) <strong>Antacid</strong>s that contain magnesium<br />
can cause diarrhea. Patients in renal failure need to use extreme caution when taking antacids<br />
that contain magnesium. Aluminum or calcium containing antacids could lead to constipation.<br />
Although antacids bring <strong>the</strong> quickest relief, <strong>the</strong>y last for a short amount of time. (5)<br />
The measure of <strong>the</strong> hydrogen ion concentration is <strong>pH</strong>. In <strong>the</strong> late 1880s, Svante<br />
Arrhenius, a Swedish chemist and physicist, said that an acid was made of hydrogen ions. (6)
This led to <strong>the</strong> modern definition of <strong>pH</strong> today. The <strong>pH</strong> scale ranges from zero to fourteen with<br />
zero being <strong>the</strong> most acidic and fourteen being <strong>the</strong> most basic. Seven is neutral. The <strong>pH</strong> scale<br />
uses a logarithmic scale. Therefore, it covers a large range of acidity values. (7)<br />
A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid combines with a base. An acid tastes sour<br />
when dissolved in water, turns blue litmus paper red, and neutralizes bases. Bases taste bitter<br />
and feel slippery when dissolved in water, turn red litmus paper blue, and neutralize acids.<br />
When a neutralization reaction occurs, <strong>the</strong> properties of <strong>the</strong> mixture are not similar to <strong>the</strong><br />
properties of <strong>the</strong> acid or <strong>the</strong> base. A neutralization reaction produces water and a salt.<br />
MATERIALS<br />
4,200 mL of vinegar<br />
<strong>pH</strong> meter<br />
300 mL of AlternaGEL<br />
300 mL of Gaviscon Regular Strength Oral Liquid<br />
300 mL of Maalox Maximum Strength Multi Symptom Oral Liquid<br />
300 mL of Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension<br />
300 mL of Pepto-Bismol<br />
30 Tablets of Extra Strength Rolaids<br />
30 Tablets of Extra Strength Tums Smoothies Smooth Dissolve Tablets<br />
100 mL graduated cylinder<br />
7- 400 mL beakers
7 glass stirring rods<br />
Glass mortar and pestle<br />
METHOD<br />
1.) Labeled each beaker from 1 to 7.<br />
2.) Put 60 mL of vinegar in each of <strong>the</strong> seven beakers.<br />
3.) Measured <strong>the</strong> <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong> vinegar using <strong>the</strong> <strong>pH</strong> meter.<br />
4.) Recorded <strong>the</strong> <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong> vinegar.<br />
5.) Added 30 mL of AlternaGEL to beaker #1.<br />
6.) Stirred <strong>the</strong> vinegar and antacid mixture for 10 minutes.<br />
7.) Measured <strong>the</strong> final <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong> vinegar and antacid mixture with <strong>the</strong> <strong>pH</strong> meter.<br />
8.) Recorded <strong>the</strong> data.<br />
9.) Cleaned <strong>the</strong> <strong>pH</strong> meter.<br />
10.) Added 30 mL of Gaviscon Regular Strength Oral Liquid to beaker #2.<br />
11.) Repeated steps 6 through 9.<br />
12.) Added 30 mL of Maalox Maximum Strength Multi Symptom Oral Liquid to beaker<br />
#3.<br />
13.) Repeated steps 6 through 9.<br />
14.) Added 30 mL of Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension to beaker #4.<br />
15.) Repeated steps 6 through 9.<br />
16.) Added 30 mL of Pepto-Bismol to beaker #5.<br />
17.) Repeated steps 6 through 9.
18.) Triturated 3 tablets of Extra Strength Rolaids using <strong>the</strong> mortar and pestle.<br />
19.) Poured <strong>the</strong> Extra Strength Rolaids powder into beaker #6.<br />
20.) Repeated steps 6 through 9.<br />
21.) Triturated 3 tablets of Extra Strength Tums Smoothies Smooth Dissolve Tablets<br />
using <strong>the</strong> mortar and pestle.<br />
22.) Poured <strong>the</strong> powder from <strong>the</strong> Extra Strength Tums Smoothies Smooth Dissolve<br />
Tablets into beaker #7.<br />
23.) Repeated steps 6 through 9.<br />
24.) Washed and dried all 7 beakers.<br />
25.) Repeated steps 1 through 24 nine more times.<br />
26.) Plotted line graph with <strong>the</strong> x-axis as <strong>the</strong> antacids and <strong>the</strong> y-axis as <strong>the</strong> final <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong><br />
mixture of <strong>the</strong> vinegar and <strong>the</strong> antacid.<br />
27.) Plotted line graph with <strong>the</strong> x-axis as <strong>the</strong> antacids and <strong>the</strong> y-axis as <strong>the</strong> average <strong>pH</strong><br />
from trial #1 through trial #10 for each antacid.<br />
28.) Plotted line graph with <strong>the</strong> x-axis as <strong>the</strong> antacids and <strong>the</strong> y-axis as <strong>the</strong> difference in<br />
<strong>pH</strong> from <strong>the</strong> vinegar and <strong>the</strong> average <strong>pH</strong> of each antacid.<br />
29.) Analyzed and evaluated results.<br />
RESULTS<br />
I discovered that Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension neutralized <strong>the</strong> acid <strong>the</strong> most. The<br />
average final <strong>pH</strong> of Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension and vinegar after ten minutes was 6.59.
The next most neutralizing antacid was Extra Strength Rolaids Tablets followed by Extra<br />
Strength Tums Smoothies Smooth Dissolve Tablets, Gaviscon Regular Strength Oral Liquid,<br />
Maalox Maximum Strength Multi Symptom Oral Liquid, and AlternaGEL. Pepto-Bismol<br />
neutralized acid <strong>the</strong> least. Pepto-Bismol and vinegar had an average <strong>pH</strong> of 2.59 after ten<br />
minutes. The average variation in <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong> antacid and vinegar mixture was 0.07 for<br />
AlternaGEL, 0.13 for Gaviscon Regular Strength Oral Liquid, 0.08 for Maalox Maximum<br />
Strength Multi Symptom Oral Liquid, 0.09 for Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension, 0.08 for<br />
Pepto-Bismol, 0.16 for Extra Strength Rolaids Tablets, and 0.11 for Extra Strength Tums<br />
Smoothies Smooth Dissolve Tablets.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS<br />
The data shows that Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension neutralized <strong>the</strong> vinegar <strong>the</strong> most.<br />
The antacids containing calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide were Mylanta Supreme<br />
Oral Suspension and Extra Strength Rolaids Tablets. These antacids neutralized <strong>the</strong> vinegar <strong>the</strong><br />
most. The average final <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong> mixture of Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension and vinegar<br />
after ten minutes was 6.59. The average final <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong> mixture of Extra Strength Rolaids<br />
Tablets and vinegar after ten minutes was 5.09. Calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide<br />
combined to produce <strong>the</strong> highest <strong>pH</strong> results in my experiment. The antacids that contained o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
active ingredients alone or in different combinations such as aluminum hydroxide, bismuth<br />
subsalicylate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide did not<br />
neutralize <strong>the</strong> <strong>pH</strong> of <strong>the</strong> vinegar as much.<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
Based on <strong>the</strong> results of this experiment, Mylanta Supreme Oral Suspension is <strong>the</strong> antacid<br />
of choice for <strong>the</strong> relief of upset stomach, heartburn, and acid indigestion. Mylanta Supreme Oral<br />
Suspension should not be used in renal failure because it contains magnesium hydroxide.<br />
Elevated magnesium levels can lead to cardiovascular and neurological problems. Mylanta<br />
Supreme Oral Suspension may cause hypercalcemia and is contraindicated in patients that have<br />
had kidney stones in <strong>the</strong> past.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT<br />
I would like to give special thanks to Ms. Linda Barnett, my science teacher, for<br />
supervising and guiding me throughout <strong>the</strong> Science Fair process. I would also like to thank my<br />
parents, Peter and Betty Chan. They supported and encouraged me all <strong>the</strong> way. They also<br />
provided <strong>the</strong> materials necessary for my project.<br />
REFERENCES<br />
1. Walker, P., & Wood, E. (2003). The temporary storage tank. In The digestive system (pp. 15-<br />
16). Farmington Mills, MI: Lucent Books.<br />
2. Liebow, C., Ph.D. (2006). The stomach’s work. In Stomach. Retrieved November 24, 2006,<br />
from World Book Online Reference Center database: http://www.worldbookonline.com/<br />
wb/Article?id=ar534380&st=antacid<br />
3. Minocha, A., M.D., & Adamec, C. (2001). <strong>Antacid</strong>s. In How to stop heartburn: Simple ways<br />
to heal heartburn and acid reflux (p. 61). New York: John Wiley and Sons.<br />
4. Yoshida, C. M., M.D., & Kotz, D. (2004). Step 2: Try an over-<strong>the</strong>-counter heartburn remedy.<br />
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everywoman needs-real solutions to stop <strong>the</strong> pain and achieve lasting digestive health<br />
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6. Karukstis, K. K., & Van Hecke, G. R. (2003). Connections to acids and bases. In Chemistry<br />
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(Original work published 1955)