Natural Colorant Extraction and Plant Regeneration from Ixora Coccinea

Abstract

Recent growth in the demand for natural pigments is a result of the dangerous side effects of synthetic colors, including organ damage, cancer, and allergies. Because they are biodegradable, environmentally benign, and have no negative side effects, natural colorant—pigments derived from natural sources—have largely replaced the usage of synthetic colors in many sectors. Asia is the region where Ixora coccinea, a flowering shrub of the Rubiaceae family, is most frequently found. The current work attempts to economically produce natural color by extracting natural pigment from Ixora coccinea flowers. For the potential application of the color in the food and pharmaceutical industries, the pigment's antioxidant and antimicrobial activity has been evaluated. In order to produce the pigment in large quantities, in vitro culture of Ixora coccinea plant was attempted using leaf and stem explant. Red color was extracted from the flowers using water by applying different techniques of extractions. Significant antioxidant activity was observed at lower pigment concentrations while antibacterial activity was detected at higher pigment concentrations. Callus induction from stem and leaf explant was observed after 12 weeks of incubation. Also, root induction was seen from stem containing 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Successful plant regeneration would help in the large amount of pigment extraction from flowers in any season and the color can be used for food and medical purpose.