Natural dyes found in leaves

Natural dyes, also referred to as pigments, are organic compounds whose organic structure allows them to absorb light in the visible region of spectra. These compounds are responsible for the colour of all plants and trees. Looking at them from the perspective of a chemist, dyes are a diverse group of compounds, however they all have one attribute in common – high conjugation. Molecules of pigments are highly conjugated, meaning there is altering single and double bonds. This high conjugation allows them to absorb visible light and hence we perceive them as coloured.

In leaves we see Chlorophylls as the main dyes, however other dyes are present as well depending on the type and colour (e.g. green/red) of the leaf. The other most common dyes include Xanthophylls, Anthocyanins and Melanins.

Anthocyanin

Anthocyanins are one of the most widespread Pyran dyes. They can be orange, red or even purple and blue coloured. Their role in leaves is to protect them from strong sunlight as well as attract pollinators with their bright colours.

Anthocyanins are used as food colouring in wine, juice, yogurt, various desserts or ice cream. Considering their anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties, some are also used in pharmaceutical industry.

Melanin

Melanins are an example of Chinin dyes, one of the most widespread groups of dyes in nature. They can be different shades of yellow, brown or black. These dyes can be found in roots, tree bark and in autumn they are most apparent in leaves.

In terms of chemical structure, there is not a uniform structure like there is in Chlorophylls, Xanthophylls and Anthocyanins.

Melanins are used in food and pharmaceutical industries as well as cosmetics for their detoxifying and photoprotective (they can absorb UV light and hence protect) properties.

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Laboratory techniques used for the experiment

In the experiment we will be using Paper Chromatography (PC) and Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE).

Chromatography

Chromatography is a separation method enabling scientist to separate individual compounds from a mixture. A Russian botanic Mikhail Tswett, who in 1901 worked on a research about natural dyes and used chromatography, is considered as the inventor of this separation technique. He named the method “chromatography” from the Greek words “chroma” (= colour) and “graphos” (= to write). Nowadays, there are several different methods of chromatography used in labs. The most common ones include Gas Chromatography (GC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). More on chromatography can be found here.

In this experiment, we will be using Paper Chromatography (PC) which is similar to commonly used Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC).

Paper Chromatography (PC) is a simple method used for determining the composition of a sample. A sample is spot onto a filtration paper and the bottom of the paper is then dipped into an appropriate solvent (the sample spot must be above the level of the solvent). The solvent is carried across the paper and takes the sample with it. Individual compounds in the sample are carried with different speeds and so they separate.

There are different ways of developing the chromatogram which is illustrated in the following scheme:

For the purpose of our experiment, we will be using method C.

Extraction

Extraction is a separation method used in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. For example, it is used during the manufacture of penicillin and to extract the active substance from plants.

Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) is based on the principle of immiscibility of solvents. We add a second solvent to our sample already in a certain solvent. The second solvent has to be immiscible with the first solvent while the sample has to be miscible in both solvents. After the mixing, a two-phase mixture is obtained (liquid-liquid) and sample is transported between the two solvents. Upon equilibration, individual components of the sample are separated in the two immiscible solvents. They can be then separated from each other based on their density.

The property dictating into which solvent the individual components will go, is solubility of the compounds in the different solvents. Also the polarity must be considered to carry out the extraction successfully. The polarity of the solvent and the compound being extracted must be similar for the extraction to occur. In the case of natural dyes, apolar solvents (e.g. ethanol, petroleum ether) are used since Chlorophylls, Xanthophylls and Anthocyanins have apolar character.

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The experiment

Aim: to detect what natural dyes are present in leaves samples

You will need:

• ethanol
• petroleum ether
• cotton wool
• mortar with pestle
• filter sand
• 10x filtration paper
• 5x test tubes
• 5x Petri dish
• glass rod
• filtration apparatus (stand, beaker, filter funnel, iron ring)
• plastic pipettes
• 5x different types of leaves (green, yellow, red)

Procedure

Firstly, set up the filtration apparatus – attach an iron ring to the stand, put a funnel into the ring and a beaker below (see image 1). Fold a filter paper and put it in the funnel.

Fold a filter paper in half and cut a small hole in the middle. Make a small wick from cotton wool and insert it through the hole (see image 2).

Tear apart your leaves (only one type at a time) to as small pieces as you can and put them in the mortar. Add a bit of filter sand so the leaves can be smashed better and 15ml of ethanol in aliquots (use plastic pipette). Once thoroughly smashed, pour the solution into the funnel with filter paper using a glass rod so you don’t spill anything and wait for it to filter.

Take your pre-prepared filter paper with cotton wool and carefully put it into the petri dish so only the bottom of the wick touches the solution (see image 3). Make sure the filter paper is NOT in the solution. The solution will be slowly drained up through the wick and form a chromatogram. After the chromatogram is finished, carefully remove the filter paper from the wick and let it dry.

Next, add 2ml of petroleum ether into the test tube with your solution. Carefully shake it and observe the separation of individual dyes into the two solvent layers.

Repeat the same procedure for all your leaves and fill in the required section of the worksheet. If you are using the same filter funnel or any other glassware, wash it before you start another measurement so you obtain as accurate results as possible.

Results

The outcome depends on whether you run the experiment in spring or autumn.

Spring
We tested 5 different leaves:

Sample NO.	Name	Chlorophylls	Anthocyanins	Xanthophylls & Melanins
1	Berberis thunbergii	✓	✓	X
2	Acer japonicum	✓	✓	✓
3	Apple tree (Malus domestica)	✓	X	✓
4	Prunus avium	✓	X	✓
5	Prunus domestica	✓	X	✓

All leaves had chlorophyll present. Berberis thunbergi and Acer japonicum were the only ones that had Anthocyanins.

Autumn
Again, we tested 5 leaves – the same ones we did in spring.

Sample NO.	Name	Chlorophylls	Anthocyanins	Xanthophylls & Melanins
1	Berberis thunbergii	✓	✓	X
2	Acer japonicum	✓	X	✓
3	Apple tree (Malus domestica)	✓	X	✓
4	Prunus avium	✓	X	✓
5	Prunus domestica	✓	X	✓

All leaves had chlorophyll present and melanins (mixed with xanthophylls) were also mostly present. As you can see in the picture below, the chlorophylls present have yellow-ish colour. This is due to the fact that in autumn chlorophylls begin to degrade slowly in plants.

In the research lab