Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 1
Written by Andrei Constantin Ioan ARLET, Aglaia POPA (BURLACU), Alexandru GROSU, Florentina ISRAEL-ROMING
Natural dyes potential increases continuously as the production of synthetic dyes requires strong acidic and alkaline obtaining conditions. Natural dyes are less toxic, easily available and biodegradable and have a low negative impact on the environment. The main dyes extracted from purple maize are anthocyanins, but in some cultivars were also found low concentration of carotenoids. The extraction of natural dyes can be performed either through traditional methods (aqueous, acid, alkaline, solvent, Soxhlet), either through modern methods (enzymatic, microbial, microwave or ultrasound assisted, supercritical fluids). This paper is also focused on comparing the most used methods for identification and quantification of anthocyanins in purple maize, methods that can be spectrophotometric or chromatographic. The multiple benefits of anthocyanins (antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective etc.) support their use in various applications such as: food, textile, pharmaceutic, medical etc.
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