Natural Pigment Extraction from Ixora Coccinea for Its Use in Cosmetic Products

Abstract

Recently, the demand for natural pigments has increased due to the hazardous side-effects of synthetic colors such as cancer, allergies, and organ damage. Natural colors are pigments obtained from natural sources and they have replaced the use of synthetic colors in many industries because they are biodegradable, eco-friendly, and do not cause any side effects. Ixora coccinea (Rubiaceae family) is a flowering shrub that is known for its medicinal properties and most commonly grows in Asia. The present study aims to natural pigment extraction from Ixora coccinea flowers using water as a cost-effective way to obtain natural colors. The characterization of the pigment using UV- Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) showed the possible presence of anthocyanin, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, as the abundant compound. The antioxidant and cytotoxicity of the pigment will be tested for its applications in cosmetic industries. The antibacterial assay showed significant antibacterial activity at higher pigment concentrations. Finally, an attempt to grow in vitro culture of Ixora coccinea will be done for mass production of the pigment.