The Relationships between Dyeing Methods and Dyeability in Hair Colouring by Utilising Enzymatic Oxidation of (+)-Catechin

Abstract

The enzymatic oxidation of (+)-catechin (Cat) with copper-containing oxidase, tyrosinase, was applied to hair colouring in the study. The Cat is oxidised to be o-benzoquinone form, the catechinone, which works as the hair dyestuff. Four kinds of hair colouring techniques using Cat were examined and each of their dyeability was compared in order to improve it. The first dyeing method is dyeing hair by the redissolved catechinone, which is preliminarily obtained by the oxidation of Cat (Redissolution Dyeing Method). The second one is dyeing hair in the dye solution just after the dye being formed by the enzymatic reaction (Sequential Dyeing Method). The third one is dyeing hair in solution containing Cat and the dyeing process is accompanied by the oxidation of Cat (Simultaneous Oxidation Dyeing Method). The fourth one is two-step dyeing that the hair immersed in Cat solution at the first step and then it is oxidised enzymatically to colour at the second step (Post-Oxidation Dyeing Method). The hair is dyed pale yellow by Redissolution Method, deeper yellowish brown by Sequential and Simultaneous Oxidation Dyeing Method and slightly reddish brown by Post-Oxidation Method with Cat. The order of their dyeability is the Simultaneous Oxidation ≈ Post-Oxidation > Sequential > Redissolution Dyeing Method at 30°C. The dyeability of Redissolution Method increases with an increase in dyeing temperature (T) between 20°C - 60°C. In Simultaneous Oxidation Method, the T increment also provides higher dyeability, and the colour of dyed hair becomes duller over 50°C. The Post-Oxidation Method shows higher dyeability at the lower oxidation temperature (20 °C - 40°C).