ALKANET

Alkanet is used to give colour to wines and alcoholic tinctures, to vegetable oils, and to varnishes.
Alkanet is a plant belonging to the Boraginaceae family, scientifically known as Alkanna tinctoria, which has been historically valued for its roots that produce a vivid red dye called Alkanet. 
The plant is also known as dyers' bugloss, orchanet, Spanish bugloss, or Languedoc bugloss. 

CAS Number: 85251-58-7
EINECS Number: 286-469-4

Synonyms: 54952-43-1, SHIKALKIN, C.I. Natural Red 20, (+-)-Shikonin, (+/-)-Shikonin, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methylpent-3-enyl)naphthalene-1,4-dione, (+/-)-Alkanet, ARNEBIN-4, (Rac)-Shikonin, NSC94524, MFCD00016668, NSC252844, NSC407295, 5,8-DIHYDROXY-2-(1-HYDROXY-4-METHYLPENT-3-EN-1-YL)NAPHTHALENE-1,4-DIONE, 5,8-Dihydroxy-6-(1-hydroxy-4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)naphthalene-1,4-dione, 1,4-Naphthalenedione, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)- (9CI), 11019-15-1, (+-)-Alkanet, C.I. 75535, Isoarnebin 4, C.I. Natural Red 20 (VAN), 1, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (S)-, 1, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (-)-, 1, 5,8-dihydroxy-6-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (-)-, natural red 20, Shikonin (7b), (+-)-Shikalkin, NSC 291845, Alkanet, 1-, KBioGR_000610, KBioSS_000610, CHEMBL29285, SCHEMBL3182028, Shikonin, >=98% (HPLC), KBio2_000610, KBio2_003178, KBio2_005746, KBio3_001079, KBio3_001080, NEZONWMXZKDMKF-UHFFFAOYSA-, CHEBI:174748, BDBM178090, Bio2_000475, Bio2_000955, HMS1362P11, BCP29329, BCP34282, ECA95243, HY-N6004, NSC291845, 1,4-Naphthalenedione, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-pent-3-enyl)naphthalene-1,4-dione, AKOS016034343, NSC-291845, NSC-407295, IDI1_002230, QTL1_000075, SMP2_000188, 85251-58-7, DA-67567, LS-14485, NCI60_002031, DB-082640, CS-0032051, H1780, NS00018361, NS00123717, (-)-Shikonin, C.I. 75535,  Isoarnebin 4, 1, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, 1, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (R)-, 1, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-, (+)-, 5,8-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone, (+/-)-5,8-Dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone, InChI=1/C16H16O5/c1-8(2)3-4-10(17)9-7-13(20)14-11(18)5-6-12(19)15(14)16(9)21/h3,5-7,10,17-19H,4H2,1-2H3, Alkanna tinctoria, ext., Alkanna tinctoria extract, Alkanna tinctoria (L.) tausch (boraginacease), extract, Einecs 286-469-4

Alkanet, is a herbaceous flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. 
Alkanet roots are used to produce a red dye. 
Alkanet is native to the Mediterranean region. 

Alkanet has 30 chromosomes and is regarded as a dysploid at the tetraploid level (4x + 2).
Alkanet has a bright blue flower. 
The plant has a root of blackish appearance externally, but blue-red inside, with a whitish core. 

The root produces a fine red colouring material, which has been used as a dye in the Mediterranean region since antiquity. 
The dyestuff in its roots is soluble in alcohol, ether, and oils, but is insoluble in water. 
The roots of alkanet contain natural pigments that have been widely used as a coloring agent in cosmetics, food, and textiles for centuries due to their bright and stable coloration properties. 

Besides its use as a dye, alkanet root extracts have also been traditionally applied in herbal medicine, where they are believed to have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, although modern scientific evidence to fully support these health claims is limited.
The cultivation of alkanet is primarily concentrated in Mediterranean regions, and the plant thrives in dry, rocky soils, making it well-suited to arid climates. 
Because of its deep red pigment, alkanet has also been used historically to color lipsticks, soaps, and inks, providing a natural alternative to synthetic dyes.

Alkanet’s red pigment, Alkanet, is a naphthoquinone compound responsible not only for its vibrant color but also for some of its biological activities, including antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. 
This plant has been utilized not only for its dyeing properties but also in traditional remedies where it is sometimes applied topically to help soothe skin irritations or promote healing of minor wounds.
Alkanet is a plant native to and cultivated in parts of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 

Alkanet has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal agent and as a colorant for textiles, food and cosmetics. 
Powdered and mixed with oil, the alkanet root is used as a wood stain. When mixed into an oily environment, it imparts a crimson color to the oil, which when applied to wood moves the wood's color towards dark-red-brown (resembling that of rosewood), and accentuates the grain of the wood.

Alkanet is also traditionally used in Indian food under the name ratan jot, and lends its red colour to some versions of the curry dish rogan josh. 
In Australia, alkanet is approved for use as a food colouring, but in the European Union, it is not.
Alkanet has been used as colorant for lipstick and rouge.

In alkaline environments, alkanet dye is blue; in the presence of acids it gradually changes to crimson.
The colour is red at pH 6.1, purple at 8.8 and blue at pH 10.
Alkanet is a natural dye that is obtained from the extracts of the plant dyer's alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) which is found in the Mediterranean region. 

The dye is used as a food coloring and in cosmetics; within the European E number schedule, it is numbered E103. 
Alkanet is used as a red-brown food additive in regions such as Australia.
Alkanet is deep red in an acid and blue in an alkaline environment.

The chemical structure as a naphthoquinone derivative was first determined by Hans Brockmann in 1936.
The (R)-enantiomer of Alkanet is known as shikonin, and the racemic mixture of the two is known as shikalkin.
The enzyme 4-hydroxybenzoate geranyltransferase utilizes geranyl diphosphate and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid to produce 3-geranyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and diphosphate. 

These compounds are then used to form Alkanet.
The colouring agent in A. tinctoria root has been chemically isolated and named Alkanet.
In folk medicine, it is also used to treat abscesses and inflammations

In English in the late medieval era, the name alkanet meant A. tinctoria.
In the centuries since then, the name has come to be used informally for some botanically related other plants; see Alkanet.
Alkanet is soluble in alcohols, oils and other organic solvents. Alkanet is slightly soluble in water.

Alkanet forms a deep blue solution with alkalis and a purple precipitate with bichloride of tin.
Alkanet, or Alkanna tinctoria is a very attractive purple colorant which can be found in the roots of plants belonging to the borage family. 
Alkanet is often used in textiles, cosmetics, soaps and pigments. 

In alkaline environments, alkanet dye has a blue color, with the color changing again to crimson on addition of an acid. 
The color is red at pH 6.1, purple at 8.8 and blue at pH 10. 
Alkanet is not very soluble in water and the color can fade with washing or overexposure to sunlight. 

Before the dyebath, the alkanet root must be soaked in a solution of alcohol and hot water – colorless rubbing alcohol or methylated spirits can be used.
Alkanet root (Alkanna tinctoria), a perennial herb from the Boraginaceae family, is native to the Mediterranean but grows across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Traditionally, its vibrant red pigment—Alkanet—has been used as a natural dye in textiles, cosmetics, and even food. 

Beyond its coloring properties, research suggests it may offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits.
A natural colorant for cosmetics, soaps, candles, and hair. 
Alkanet imparts a ruby red color to oily preparations and shades of pink, grey, blue or purple, depending upon the amount used and the alkalinity of the formulation. 

To hair it brings mahogany reflections.
A natural red dye obtained from the roots of two species of plants. 
In the near East and Europe, alkanet is extracted from the false alkanet plant, Anchusa officinalis (and A. tinctoria). 

In Asia, alkanet is extracted from the true alkanet plant, Lawsonia alba. 
Alkanet was used in late Egyptian times through the Middle Ages at which time its use was discontinued because of poor lightfastness. 
Alkanet roots produces a deep red color that is soluble in weak acids, alcohols, oils, and other organic solvents. 

The primary colorant is Alkanet. 
Since alkanet gives a blue tone in basic solutions, it is sometimes used as an acid-base indicator. 
The colorant has been used as a cosmetic, textile dye, wood stain, lake pigment, and for medicinal purposes.

Because the root bark (cork layers) of Alkanna tinctoria contains large amounts of red naphthoquinone pigments, including Alkanet, the roots of these plants are red-purple. 
When extracted from fresh tissues, the pigment gradually darkens over several days, finally forming black precipitates, which are thought to be polymers.[7]

Uses Of alkanet:
Alkanet has been widely used for centuries primarily as a natural dye, with its roots producing a deep red pigment called Alkanet, which is prized for coloring cosmetics, such as lipsticks, rouges, and soaps, as well as textiles and food products. 
Its oil-soluble pigment makes it especially valuable in the formulation of lip balms, ointments, and other oily cosmetic products, where synthetic dyes might not be suitable or desired. 
Beyond its coloring properties, alkanet root extract has found a place in traditional herbal medicine, where it has been applied topically to soothe skin inflammations, promote wound healing, and reduce irritation, although scientific validation of these medicinal effects is still limited. 

In the food industry, alkanet has occasionally been used as a natural coloring agent to enhance the appearance of certain dishes and beverages, though its use is less common today due to the availability of synthetic alternatives and regulatory restrictions. 
Additionally, alkanet’s antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, attributed to the Alkanet compound, have sparked interest in its potential as a natural preservative or therapeutic ingredient in various health and beauty products.
Alkanet serves both aesthetic and functional purposes across multiple industries, making it a versatile and historically significant natural resource.

In addition to its traditional uses as a dye and topical remedy, alkanet’s rich pigment has also been utilized in artisanal crafts, such as hand-made inks and paints, where natural, vibrant colors are preferred over synthetic ones for their unique hues and environmental friendliness. 
The plant’s extract is sometimes incorporated into natural skincare formulations because of its purported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which may help protect the skin from oxidative stress and promote a healthier complexion. 
Some natural cosmetic brands emphasize the use of alkanet root dye as a botanical ingredient to appeal to consumers seeking products free from artificial chemicals. 

Furthermore, alkanet has occasionally been studied for its potential antimicrobial properties, which could make it useful in formulations aimed at preserving shelf life or reducing microbial contamination without relying on synthetic preservatives. 
While it is less common to see alkanet in large-scale food production today, specialty and organic food producers sometimes use it to add color to traditional recipes, maintaining culinary heritage and natural ingredient standards. 
Because of these diverse applications, alkanet remains an important botanical with a unique combination of coloring, medicinal, and preservative properties that continue to inspire both traditional and modern uses.

Alkanet’s roots have occasionally been used in folk medicine preparations as an ingredient in poultices or salves aimed at relieving muscle pain and joint inflammation, reflecting its role in traditional healing practices. 
In perfumery, although less frequently, alkanet root can be used as a fixative or natural colorant in some fragrance blends, contributing to both the scent longevity and the visual appeal of the product. 
Some artisans and natural product makers value alkanet for its biodegradable and non-toxic nature, using it as a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes that may have environmental or health concerns. 
Moreover, scientific research continues to explore the bioactive compounds in alkanet, including Alkanet and its derivatives, for potential pharmaceutical applications such as anticancer, antibacterial, and wound-healing agents, though these are mostly at experimental stages. 

In cultural contexts, alkanet dye has also been important historically for coloring ceremonial textiles and artworks, underscoring its significance beyond commercial uses. 
Thus, alkanet represents a multifaceted plant with a blend of practical, medicinal, artistic, and research interests that extend its relevance well into modern times.

Safety Profile Of Alkanet:
Alkanet, while generally considered safe for external use in cosmetics and traditional remedies, does carry some potential hazards that should be carefully considered, especially when used improperly or in large amounts. 
One of the main concerns is the possibility of skin sensitization or allergic reactions, as some individuals may develop irritation, redness, or dermatitis after topical application, particularly if they have sensitive skin or pre-existing allergies. 
Additionally, ingestion of alkanet or its extracts is not recommended because certain compounds in the plant, including Alkanet derivatives, may be toxic if consumed in significant quantities, potentially leading to gastrointestinal discomfort or more serious toxic effects.