Process for producing dyes from Safflower petals (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Abstract

Process for producing dyes from Safflower petals relates to the food industry, namely, to the extraction, purification and separation of natural chalconic colorants: carthamin and precarthamin. These biologically active colorants can be successfully used in order to substitute a toxic synthetic azo-colorants. This natural chalcones will be used to produce safe foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. According to the method, the air-dried Safflower petals are treated with sodium carbonate solution (1-5%) and undergo high pressure. The liquid phase obtained by compression and clarification is treated with alimentary acid and undergo other simple operations. The result of the invention is obtaining a red-purple colorant, carthamin, in a solid state and a yellow colorant, precarthamin in the form of a concentrate dark-orange solution or yellow powder, if is necessary.