Potent polyphenolic natural colorants derived from plants as eco-friendly raw materials for the dyeing industry

Abstract

The reintroduction of colorants from vegetables sources, animals, and minerals is gaining popularity for use in different application fields due to the economical and ecological restrictions imposed by many countries on a number of synthetic colorants that are associated with allergic, toxic, carcinogenic, and harmful responses. Although various sources of natural colorants are known, the tannin colorants from plants are better options to replace or act as co-partners with synthetic dyes in view of their several advantages such as biodegradability and eco-friendliness. Tannins are naturally occurring compounds commonly found in roots, barks, leaves, flowers, skins, fruits, and shells of plants. This chapter discusses the phytoconstituents and coloring compounds in some well-known tannin dye-yielding plants such as cutch, pomegranate, harda, gallnut, and babool, which are grown all around the world.