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Herbal Powder

Herbal Extracts

Crocus sativus

Common Name : Saffron
Parts Used : Dried stigma
Color : Bright Yellow

Introduction : Saffron is one of the most expensive spices used today. It is the tiny stigmata at the center from the flower of Crocus sativa. Each tiny stigma is plucked from the flower by hand. It produces a bright yellow color.

Pigment : The natural pigment is crosin and the dye molecule in saffron is the carotenoid ß-gentobiose crocetin.

History : No other flower has a more venerable documented history than saffron crocus. It has its first description in the ancient texts of Ayurveda and then in the Egyptian pharmacopoeia. Apart from its use as a food coloring agent it has been extensively used as medication and cosmetics.

Uses :

Saffron is a spice, added sometimes for flavor, but mostly for the yellow color it imparts to foods.
Because of its expense, saffron is often replaced in recipes by another carotenoid, annatto or the unrelated dye molecule in turmeric.
Saffron is an anti-oxidant and has been used in many traditional fairness oils.

Rubia Tinctorum

Family : Rubiaceae
Common Name : Madder Root
Part Used : Root
Color : Red - Brown - Oranges.

Introduction : TA red dye obtained with a range from strong red to brown and then reddish orange is produced from the roots of Rubia Tinctorum.

Pigment : The root contains natural color pigments: alizarin, rubian, rubiadin, ruberythric acid, purpurin.
Pseudopurpurin yields the orange dye
Xanthopurpurin yields the yellow dye.
Alizarin (dihydroscyanthraquinone) occurs as orange-red crystals. The alcoholic and aqueous solutions are rose-colored, the ethereal: golden-yellow; the alkaline: violet and blue when concentrated, but violet red when sufficiently diluted.

History : The plant was known to ancient peoples as evidence of madder-dyed cloth has been found in Egyptian mummy cases-and was cultivated in the East for centuries and in Europe from the late Middle Ages. The oldest textiles dyed with madder come from the grave of the Merovingian queen Arnegundis in St. Denis near Paris between 565 und 570 AD. The red coats of the British Redcoats were dyed with madder.

Uses :
It has been used since ancient times as a red dye for leather, wool, cotton and silk.

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Mallotus Philippinensis

Family : Euphorbiaceae
Common Name : Kamala Powder
Part Used : Glands and hairs from the capsules or fruits
Color : Brilliant yellows - oranges

Introduction : The fruit of the tree has a red glandular pubescence which, when detached and comminuted, is known as kamala powder. The pigments, present at about 10% by weight, are partially soluble in hot water and are fully soluble in organic solvents and alkalis.

Pigment : Rottlerin; the principal red pigment is the chromene compound which is somewhat unstable.

History : : In India, harvesting is carried out as the fruits ripen in February and March and processing follows immediately. The operation involves detachment of the pigmented glandular pubescence on the fruits. Beating the fruit, followed by manual sifting provides the crude powder. Alternatively, the fruits may be stirred in water and the kamala powder which settles at the base of the vessel is recovered and dried. The yield of powder ranges between 1.5 to 4% of the fresh fruit weight. Crystalline rottlerin may be prepared by organic solvent extraction and concentration.

Uses :
On dyeing textiles such as silk mohair and wool, kamala powder produces an attractive bright orange color but this gradually fades on exposure to the sun.

Lycopersicon esculentum

Family : Solanaceae
Common Name : Tomato
Parts Used : Lycopene
Color : Red

Introduction : Lycopene is a derivative from tomatoes which is responsible for giving many fruits and vegetables a healthy red color. This natural substance is an unsaturated carotenoid pigment, similiar to Beta-Carotene. While Lycopene has no vitamin A activity, research has shown it to be one of the most important natural antioxidants produced today.

Pigment : Lycopene is the pigment that gives tomatoes their red color, and is one of four main carotenoids normally found in human blood and tissue. Studies show that lycopene is a scavenger of singlet-oxygen, offering powerful antioxidant activity. Lycopene is a highly potent antioxidant carotenoids.

Uses : Lycopene has been successfully uses as color additive in food industry for its add nutritional value. Snacks, butter, Margarine, vegetable oils/ fats, Pasta, Soups, gravies, sauces.

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