Abstract
Wood-staining fungal pigments have shown potential use as colorants for wood and textiles, with organic solvents as the pigment carrier. Natural oils have been suggested as an environmentally friendly and more available carrier; however, oils promoted color degradation. The current study examined the mechanism of said degradation and tested therapeutic and food-grade oils (instead of finishing oils) for their potential to carry draconin red, the pigment from Scytalidium cuboideum, without color loss over time. FTIR analysis from finishing oils indicated that oxidation was not likely the cause of color loss as the pigment could not be distinguished from the oils in the IR spectra. SEM was employed to determine if crystal degradation was contributing to color loss and indicated, surprisingly, that the crystals of draconin red formed rather than degraded over time. This suggested crystal breakdown was also not likely the cause of color loss. The pigment did not show degradation in hemp oil, flaxseed oil, and cold-pressed linseed oil when treated with β-carotene. Further in-depth chemical studies are needed to determine the mechanism of color loss in pigmented natural oils; however, food-grade oils appear to be a promising alternative to carry draconin red, without degradation of the color.
Highlights
Synthetic dyes are the most commonly used dyes in the textile industry [1]
Most are toxic or carcinogenic in at least one state of preparation or require potentially hazardous chemicals to adhere to fabrics [1]
Disperse dyes will dye only manufactured fibers, such as polyester. All these dye categories require heat in at least one step of their preparation, and most require the fabric to be dyed in a heated solution, all of which require energy usage
Summary
Synthetic dyes are the most commonly used dyes in the textile industry [1]. Most are toxic or carcinogenic in at least one state of preparation or require potentially hazardous chemicals to adhere to fabrics [1]. Acid reactive dyes will dye only protein fibers. Fiber-reactive dyes will dye only cellulosic fibers. Disperse dyes will dye only manufactured fibers, such as polyester. All these dye categories require heat in at least one step of their preparation, and most require the fabric to be dyed in a heated solution, all of which require energy usage
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