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Encyclopedia of Color Science and Technology pp 1–9Cite as

Colorant, Natural

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Synonyms

Natural colorants; Natural dyes; Pigments

Definition

The term natural colorant comprises all kind of materials available from natural sources which are able to impart color to matter.

The main principle of color development for natural colorants is the specific absorption of light in the wavelength region of 400–700 nm [1].

Other principles on color formation may be based upon physical effects, for example, refraction of light (rainbows), interference (feathers of peacocks), or electron excitation (electroluminescence) [2].

Sources for natural colorants include minerals (red ochre, α-Fe2O3), plant material (e.g., flavonoids from Canadian golden rod), and animal-based dyes (e.g., indigoid colorants from selected mollusk species).

Colored pigments are applied as finely divided solid particles which remain in an insoluble state during their application and use. Water-soluble or oil-soluble natural colorants can be found in food and beverage applications. A colorant that is used...

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References

  1. Nassau, K.: The fifteen causes of color: the physics and chemistry of color. Color. Res. Appl. 12(7), 4–26 (1987)

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  2. Zollinger, H.: Color Chemistry – Syntheses, Properties, and Applications of Organic Dyes and Pigments. Wiley VCH, Weinheim (2003)

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  3. Bechtold, T., Pham, T.: Textile Chemistry. De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston (2019)

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  4. Schweppe, H.: Handbuch der Naturfarbstoffe. Ecomed Verlagsges, Landsberg/Lech (1993)

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  5. Bechtold, T., Mussak, R. (eds.): Handbook of Natural Colorants. Wiley, Chichester (2009)

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  6. Paul, R.: Denim – Manufacture, Finishing and Applications. Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge (2015)

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  7. Bechtold, T., Mahmud-Ali, A., Mussak, R.: Chapter 31. Natural dyes from food processing wastes – usage for textile dyeing. In: Waldron, K.W. (ed.) Waste Management and Co-product in Food Processing, pp. 502–533. Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge (2007) ISBN 1 84569 025 7

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  8. McClelland, R.A., McGall, G.H.: Hydration of the flavylium ion. 2. The 4′hydroxyflavylium ion. J. Org. Chem. 47, 3730–3736 (1982)

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  9. Derksen, G.C.H.: Red, Redder, Madder – Analysis and Isolation of Anthraquinones from Madder Roots (Rubia tinctorium). Dissertation, Wageningen University, Wageningen (2001). ISBN 90-5808-462-0

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  10. Räisänen, R.: Anthraquinones from the Fungus Dermocybe sanguinea as Textile Dyes. Dissertation, Department of Home Economics and Craft Science, University of Helsinky, Helsinky (2002). ISBN 952-10-0537-9

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  11. Cardon, D.: Natural Dyes – Sources, Tradition, Technology and Science. Archetype Publications, London (2007)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics, Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck, Dornbirn, Vorarlberg, Austria

    Thomas Bechtold

Authors
  1. Thomas Bechtold
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas Bechtold .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Color Science & Imaging Lab, North Carolina State Univ, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Renzo Shamey

Section Editor information

  1. Fiber and Polymer Science Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Harold S Freeman

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Bechtold, T. (2020). Colorant, Natural. In: Shamey, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Color Science and Technology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27851-8_164-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27851-8_164-5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-27851-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27851-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Colorant, Natural
    Published:
    16 October 2020

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27851-8_164-5

  2. Original

    Colorant, Natural
    Published:
    06 October 2014

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27851-8_164-4

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