A method for obtaining a betalain pigment composition from red beet plants comprising pre-harvest foliar spraying of an ethylene-generating compound and the use of the obtained betalain pigment composition for coloring of an edible product.

This invention relates to heterocyclic red azo colorants for seed treatment applications. The red azo colorants contain a heterocycle that includes one nitrogen atom and one sulfur atom and are free from electron-withdrawing groups on the heterocycle. Seeds for use in horticultural/agriculture applications that are coated with the heterocyclic azo colorants provide anti-counterfeiting properties to the coated seeds. A color change phenomenon is observed when the coated seeds are exposed to an acidic material, such as vinegar, and provides evidence of the authenticity of the coated seeds. The invention also relates to agricultural formulations containing the heterocyclic red azo colorants that can be used as an anti-counterfeit agents.

A thermochromic composition including a dye molecule; a matrix, wherein the matrix comprises a material having a defined melting point; and an optional developer. A process for preparing a thermochromic composition, including providing a dye; heating a matrix above its melting point; adding the heated matrix to the dye until the dye dissolves in the matrix; optionally, adding a developer; wherein the thermochromic composition exhibits a first color at a first temperature and a second color at a second temperature; wherein the first color and the second color are different; and wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are different.

A near-infrared fluorescent small-molecule probe, a synthesis method thereof, and an application thereof are provided. The near-infrared fluorescent small-molecule probe is IR-780-F derived from IR-780, in which the basic structure of IR-780 is retained, an end of an alkyl carbon chain connected with a nitrogen (N) atom is changed by adding a trifluoromethyl group (—CF.sub.3) at the end. The IR-780-F shows excellent performance in photostability, targeting cancer cells and fluorescence imaging, and has low toxicity. It can be used for targeting tumor tissues, in vivo near-infrared fluorescence imaging, and photothermal therapy, which realizes an integration of diagnosis and treatment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a phycocyanin pigment composition insoluble in water and provide food, cosmetics, a coating material or a printing marker for pharmaceuticals or agricultural chemicals, a stationery product, a writing tool, a printing ink, an inkjet ink, a metal ink, a paint, a plastic coloring agent, a color toner, a fluorescent labeling agent, a fluorescent probe, or a chemical sensor, each containing the pigment composition. It was found that the phycocyanin pigment composition containing phycocyanin and a metal or a metal compound was insoluble in water, and thus the present invention was accomplished.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: composite phthalocyanine microparticles of a nano-order level, preferably on the order of 100 nm, that are optimal as a coloring material; and a method for producing the same. Provided is a method for producing composite phthalocyanine microparticles, the method being characterized by including a step (1) for preparing a dissolved solution by dissolving at least copper phthalocyanine and titanyl phthalocyanine and/or cobalt phthalocyanine as raw materials in a first solvent, a step (2) for precipitating composite phthalocyanine by mixing the dissolved solution obtained in step (1) with a second solvent that serves as a poor solvent of the abovementioned raw materials, and a step (3) for causing an organic solvent to act on the composite phthalocyanine obtained in step (2). Also provided are composite phthalocyanine microparticles containing at least copper phthalocyanine and titanyl phthalocyanine and/or cobalt phthalocyanine, the composite phthalocyanine microparticles having an aspect ratio of 1.1-2.5 and a particle size of 5-100 nm.

The invention herein provides for an improved dye material composed of a dry particulate mixture of azo and phthalocyanine dyes for concrete surface applications.

The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing a Lawsonia inermis extract which is rich in Lawsone. It also relates to the extract which may be obtained by said process and to a composition comprising thereof. The disclosure also relates to a method for dying fibers, in particular keratin fibers.

A betalain pigment composition from red beet plants including pre-harvest foliar spraying of an ethylene-generating compound and the use of the obtained betalain pigment composition for coloring of an edible product

A new yellow pigment excellent in both brightness and coloring power is provided. It has been found that dimerization of a specific quinophthalone skeleton gives more selective absorption and transmittance. Furthermore, the dimerization method was also studied, and it has been found that excessive reddish tone can be suppressed by cleaving the conjugate using a methylene chain as a spacer instead of simply employing a direct bond. In addition, dispersibility has been improved by polyhalogenation and introduction of an imide structure. Furthermore, a coloring agent containing the quinophthalone compound and a coloring composition containing the coloring agent are provided.