USE OF ENCAPSULATED NATURAL COLORS

Abstract

Use of an encapsulated natural color for coloring a household, industrial or institutional (HI&I) product wherein the encapsulated natural color is stable in water to simulated solar irradiation at 765 Watt in accordance with International Commission on Illumination 85 (1989, Table 4, 3 mm window glass) reference sun for a period of between 8 hours and 16 hours.

Claims

1. Use of an encapsulated natural color in a household, industrial or institutional (HI&I) product wherein the encapsulated natural color is stable in water to simulated solar irradiation at 765 Watt in accordance with International Commission on Illumination 85 (1989, Table 4, 3 mm window glass) reference sun for a period of between 8 hours and 16 hours.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated natural color comprises an encapsulating material comprising one or more of a rosin or rosin derivative or polymer, a terpene, a natural or synthetic phenol (including polyphenols), a resin (including a water-borne resin or a solvent-borne resin), a monosaccharide, an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide, a protein or glycoprotein, a silicate, a silane and a natural or synthetic wax, or combinations thereof.

3. Use according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated natural colour comprises: i) a first encapsulating material comprising a salt of wood rosin, and a second encapsulating material comprising glycerol ester of wood rosin; ii) a first encapsulating material comprising gum arabic, a second encapsulating material comprising maltodextrin, and a third encapsulating material comprising modified starch; iii) a first encapsulating material comprising cyclodextrin, a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Rosin Ester, and a third encapsulating material comprising gum acacia; or iv) a first encapsulating material comprising Phenylaminopropyl tetramethoxysilane, and a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Arabic.

4. Use according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated natural color comprises one or more of an extract or a modified extract obtained from a lichen, a microbe, a fungus, a plant or an animal.

5. Use according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated natural color comprises one or more of alkanet, lac, cutch, weld, pomegranate skin, logwood, natural indigo, henna, osage, madder, sequoia, black or purple carrot, blue fruit juice color, blue shade, vegetable juice colors, elderberry, hibiscus, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, red radish, beet juice, annatto extract, paprika, red carmine, beta-carotene, apocarotenol, lycopene, carthamus, copper chlorophyll, chlorophyll, copper chlorophyllin, chlorophyllin, turmeric (curcumin), caramel color, blue spirulina extract, apple extract, riboflavin, and lutein

6. Use according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated natural color comprises one or more of natural indigo, madder, copper chlorophyll or copper chlorophyllin.

7. Use according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulated natural color further comprises an encapsulating material comprising one or more of an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, an organic solvent, a polyvalent metal or salt thereof, a mordant or a coupling component.

8. An encapsulated natural color which is stable in water to simulated solar irradiation at 765 W/m.sup.2 in accordance with International Commission on Illumination 85 (1989, Table 4, 3 mm window glass) reference sun for a period of between 8 hours and 16 hours.

9. An encapsulated natural color according to claim 8, comprising an encapsulating material comprising one or more of a rosin or rosin derivative or polymer, a terpene, a natural or synthetic phenol (including polyphenols), a resin (including a water-borne resin or a solvent-borne resin), a monosaccharide, an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide, a protein or glycoprotein, a silicate, a silane and a natural or synthetic wax, or combinations thereof.

10. An encapsulated natural color according to claim 8, wherein the encapsulated natural colour comprises: i) a first encapsulating material comprising a salt of wood rosin, and a second encapsulating material comprising glycerol ester of wood rosin; ii) a first encapsulating material comprising gum arabic, a second encapsulating material comprising maltodextrin, and a third encapsulating material comprising modified starch; iii) a first encapsulating material comprising cyclodextrin, a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Rosin Ester, and a third encapsulating material comprising gum acacia; or iv) a first encapsulating material comprising Phenylaminopropyl tetramethoxysilane, and a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Arabic.

11. An encapsulated natural color according to claim 8, comprising one or more of an extract or a modified extract obtained from a lichen, a microbe, a fungus, a plant or an animal.

12. An encapsulated natural color according to claim 8, comprising one or more of one or more of alkanet, lac, cutch, weld, pomegranate skin, logwood, natural indigo, henna, osage, madder, sequoia, black or purple carrot, blue fruit juice color, blue shade, vegetable juice colors, elderberry, hibiscus, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, red radish, beet juice, annatto extract, paprika, red carmine, beta-carotene, apocarotenol, lycopene, carthamus, copper chlorophyll, chlorophyll, copper chlorophyllin, chlorophyllin, turmeric (curcumin), caramel color, blue spirulina extract, apple extract, riboflavin, and lutein.

13. An encapsulated natural color according to claim 8, comprising one or more of natural indigo, madder, copper chlorophyll or copper chlorophyllin.

14. An encapsulated natural color according to claim 8, comprising an encapsulating material further comprising one or more of an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, an organic solvent, a polyvalent metal or salt thereof, a mordant or a coupling component.

15. A method for the production of an encapsulated natural color comprising mixing a natural color with a water-based or oil-based solution of one or more of an encapsulating material whereby to obtain an encapsulated natural color wherein the encapsulated natural color is stable in water to simulated solar irradiation at 765 W/m.sup.2 in accordance with International Commission on Illumination 85 (1989, Table 4, 3 mm window glass) reference sun for a period of between 8 hours and 16 hours.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the encapsulated natural color is obtained as an emulsion.

17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising spray drying the emulsion to a solid.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein the encapsulating material comprises one or more of one or more of a rosin or rosin derivative or polymer, a terpene, a natural or synthetic phenol (including polyphenols), a resin (including a water-borne resin or a solvent-borne resin), a monosaccharide, an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide, a protein or glycoprotein, a silicate, a silane and a natural or synthetic wax, or combinations thereof.

19. A method according to claim 15, wherein the encapsulating material comprises: i) a first encapsulating material comprises a salt of wood rosin, and a second encapsulating material comprising glycerol ester of wood rosin; ii) a first encapsulating material comprises gum arabic, a second encapsulating material comprising maltodextrin, and a third encapsulating material comprising modified starch; iii) a first encapsulating material comprises cyclodextrin, a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Rosin Ester, and a third encapsulating material comprising gum acacia; or iv) a first encapsulating material comprises Phenylaminopropyl tetramethoxysilane, and a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Arabic.

20. A method according to claim 15, wherein the natural color is one or more of an extract or a modified extract obtained from a lichen, a microbe, a fungus, a plant or an animal.

21. A method according to claim 15, wherein the natural color is one or more of alkanet, lac, cutch, weld, pomegranate skin, logwood, natural indigo, henna, osage, madder, sequoia, black or purple carrot, blue fruit juice color, blue shade, vegetable juice colors, elderberry, hibiscus, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, red radish, beet juice, annatto extract, paprika, red carmine, beta-carotene, apocarotenol, lycopene, carthamus, copper chlorophyll, chlorophyll, copper chlorophyllin, chlorophyllin, turmeric (curcumin), caramel color, blue spirulina extract, apple extract, riboflavin, and lutein.

22. A method according to claim 15, wherein the natural color is one or more of natural indigo, madder, copper chlorophyll or copper chlorophyllin.

23. A method according to claim 15, wherein the encapsulating material further comprises one or more of an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, an organic solvent, a polyvalent metal or salt thereof, a mordant or a coupling component.

24. A HI&I composition or product comprising an encapsulated natural color which is stable in water to simulated solar irradiation at 765 W/m.sup.2 in accordance with International Commission on Illumination 85 (1989, Table 4, 3 mm window glass) reference sun for a period of between 8 hours and 16 hours.

25. A HI&I composition or product according to claim 24, wherein the encapsulated natural color comprises one or more of an encapsulating material comprising one or more of a rosin or rosin derivative, a terpene, a natural or synthetic phenol (including polyphenols), a resin (including a water-borne resin or a solvent-borne resin), a monosaccharide, an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide, a protein or glycoprotein, a silicate, a silane and a natural or synthetic wax.

26. An HI&I composition or product according to claim 24, wherein the encapsulated natural colour comprises: i) a first encapsulating material comprising a salt of wood rosin, and a second encapsulating material comprising glycerol ester of wood rosin; ii) a first encapsulating material comprising gum arabic, a second encapsulating material comprising maltodextrin, and a third encapsulating material comprising modified starch; iii) a first encapsulating material comprising cyclodextrin, a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Rosin Ester, and a third encapsulating material comprising gum acacia; or iv) a first encapsulating material comprising Phenylaminopropyl tetramethoxysilane, and a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Arabic.

27. An HI&I composition or product according to claim 24, wherein the natural color comprises one or more of an extract or a modified extract obtained from a lichen, a microbe, a fungus, a plant or an animal.

28. An HI&I composition or product according to claim 24, wherein the natural color comprises one or more of alkanet, lac, cutch, weld, pomegranate skin, logwood, natural indigo, henna, osage, madder, sequoia, black or purple carrot, blue fruit juice color, blue shade, vegetable juice colors, elderberry, hibiscus, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, red radish, beet juice, annatto extract, paprika, red carmine, beta-carotene, apocarotenol, lycopene, carthamus, copper chlorophyll, chlorophyll, copper chlorophyllin, chlorophyllin, turmeric (curcumin), caramel color, blue spirulina extract, apple extract, riboflavin, and lutein.

29. An HI&I composition or product according to claim 24, wherein the natural color comprises one or more of natural indigo, madder, copper chlorophyll or copper chlorophyllin.

30. An HI&I composition or product according to claim 24, wherein the encapsulated natural color further comprises an encapsulating material comprising one or more of an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, an organic solvent, a polyvalent metal or salt thereof, a mordant or a coupling component.

31. A method for providing a colored HI&I composition or product, comprising formulating the HI&I composition or product with an encapsulated natural color which is stable in water to simulated solar irradiation at 765 W/m.sup.2 in accordance with International Commission on Illumination 85 (1989, Table 4, 3 mm window glass) reference sun for a period of between 8 hours and 16 hours.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the encapsulated natural color comprises one or more of an encapsulating material comprising one or more of a rosin or rosin derivative or polymer, a terpene, a natural or synthetic phenol (including polyphenols), a resin (including a water-borne resin or a solvent-borne resin), a monosaccharide, a oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide, a protein or glycoprotein, a silicate, a silane and a natural or synthetic wax, or combinations thereof.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein the encapsulated natural colour comprises: i) a first encapsulating material comprising a salt of wood rosin, and a second encapsulating material comprising glycerol ester of wood rosin; ii) a first encapsulating material comprising gum arabic, a second encapsulating material comprising maltodextrin, and a third encapsulating material comprising modified starch; iii) a first encapsulating material comprising cyclodextrin, a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Rosin Ester, and a third encapsulating material comprising gum acacia; or iv) a first encapsulating material comprising Phenylaminopropyl tetramethoxysilane, and a second encapsulating material comprising Gum Arabic.

34. A method according to claim 31, wherein the natural color comprises one or more of an extract or a modified extract obtained from a lichen, a microbe, a fungus, a plant or an animal.

35. A method according to claim 31, wherein the natural color comprises one or more of alkanet, lac, cutch, weld, pomegranate, logwood, natural indigo, henna, osage, madder, sequoia, black or purple carrot, blue fruit juice color, blue shade, vegetable juice colors, elderberry, hibiscus, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, red radish, beet juice, annatto extract, paprika, red carmine, beta-carotene, apocarotenol, lycopene, carthamus, copper chlorophyll, chlorophyll, copper chlorophyllin, chlorophyllin, turmeric (curcumin), caramel color, blue spirulina extract, apple extract, riboflavin, and lutein.

36. A method according to claim 31, wherein the natural color comprises one or more of natural indigo, madder, copper chlorophyll or copper chlorophyllin.

37. A method according to claim 31, wherein the encapsulated natural color further comprises an encapsulating material comprising one or more of an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, an organic solvent, a polyvalent metal or salt thereof, a mordant or a coupling component.

Description

[0135] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following non-limiting examples and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0136] FIG. 1 are photographs showing the color fastness of encapsulated copper chlorophyll according to one embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 1A) in a fabric conditioner base to UV irradiation as compared to the color fastness of a suspension of copper chlorophyll (FIG. 1B) in the fabric conditioner base;

[0137] FIG. 2 are photographs showing the color fastness of encapsulated copper chlorophyll in a hand dish wash base according to one embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 2A) to UV irradiation as compared to the color fastness of copper chlorophyll encapsulated by maltodextrin in the hand dish wash (FIG. 2B) and the color fastness of a suspension of copper chlorophyll in the hand dish wash (FIG. 2C);

[0138] FIG. 3 are photographs showing the color fastness of encapsulated indigo in a hand dish wash base according to different embodiments of the present invention (FIGS. 3B and 3C) to UV irradiation as compared to the color fastness of a suspension of indigo powder in the hand wash (FIG. 3A).

[0139] FIG. 4 are photographs showing the color fastness of encapsulated Madder extract in a hand dish wash base according to one embodiment of the present invention to UV irradiation, as compared to the color fastness of unencapsulated Madder extract; and

[0140] FIG. 5 are photographs showing the color fastness of encapsulated natural indigo in a hand dish wash base according to different embodiments of the present invention (FIGS. 5A and 5B) to UV irradiation.

EXAMPLE 1

[0141] Encapsulated Copper Chlorophyll 1

[0142] An emulsion containing gum arabic (10 wt/wt %), maltodextrin (20 wt/wt %), modified starch (30 wt/wt %), copper chlorophyll (10 wt/wt %) and polysorbate 80 (1 wt/wt %) was made up in water (to 100 wt/wt %) by mixing using a Silverson high shear mixer at 3000 r.p.m. for 3 minutes. The emulsion was spray dried to a green powder and the powder dispersed in a fabric conditioner base.

[0143] The resulting fabric conditioner base containing encapsulated copper chlorophyll (hereinafter designated 1) was exposed to UV irradiation (300 nm to 400 nm) using an Atlas Suntest® CPS+ benchtop apparatus (Atlas Material Testing Solutions, Linsengericht, Germany) at 765 W/m.sup.2 at 35° C. during a period of 14 hours. The color of the fabric conditioner base prior to, and following the exposure is shown in FIG. 1A.

[0144] A suspension of copper chlorophyll (10 wt/wt %) in the fabric conditioner base was exposed to similar UV irradiation. The color of the fabric conditioner base prior to, and following the exposure is shown in FIG. 1B.

[0145] As may be seen from FIG. 1A, the color of the fabric conditioner base containing the encapsulated copper chlorophyll following the UV irradiation 11 is essentially retained albeit with some loss of intensity as compared to the color of the fabric conditioner base prior to the irradiation 10.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Fabric conditioner Color intensity Color Intensity Base Prior to Irradiation After Irradiation Encapsulated copper ++++ ++-- chlorophyll 1 Unencapsulated copper ++++ ---- chlorophyll Unencapsulated copper ++++ ---- chlorophyllin

[0146] By contrast, as may be seen from FIG. 1B, the color of the fabric conditioner base containing the unencapsulated copper chlorophyll following the irradiation 13 is completely different as compared to the color the fabric conditioner base prior to the irradiation 12.

[0147] The outcomes of these irradiation tests are qualitatively outlined in the Table 1.

[0148] Note that the color of a fabric conditioner base containing dissolved copper chlorophyllin (as opposed to copper chlorophyll) following a similar irradiation is also completely different as compared to the color the fabric conditioner base prior to the irradiation.

EXAMPLE 2

[0149] Encapsulated Copper Chlorophyll 2

[0150] An emulsion containing glycerol ester of wood rosin (33.33 wt/wt %), copper chlorophyll (16.67 wt/wt %) was made up in vegetable oil (50.00 wt/wt %) by gradual addition of the glycerol ester to a solution of copper chlorophyll in the vegetable oil heated to the melting point of the ester with mixing using a Silverson high shear mixer at 3000 r.p.m. for 3 minutes. The emulsion was dispersed in a hand dish wash base (uncolored Ecover®).

[0151] The resulting hand dish wash base containing the encapsulated copper chlorophyll (hereinafter designated 2) was exposed to UV irradiation using an Atlas Suntest® CPS+ benchtop apparatus (Atlas Material Testing Solutions, Linsengericht, Germany) at 765 W/m.sup.2 at 35° C. during a period of 16 hours. The color of the hand dish wash base prior to, during and following the exposure is shown in FIG. 2A.

[0152] A hand dish wash base containing an encapsulated copper chlorophyll of a type known in the food industry (hereinafter designated F) was similarly prepared from maltodextrin (60 wt/wt %), copper chlorophyll (10 wt/wt %) and polysorbate 80 (1 wt/wt %) and exposed to similar UV irradiation. The color of the hand dish wash base prior to and following the exposure is shown in FIG. 2B.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Hand Dish Color intensity Color Intensity Base Wash Prior to Irradiation After Irradiation Encapsulated copper ++++ +++- chlorophyll 2 Encapsulated copper ++++ +--- chlorophyll (F) Unencapsulated copper ++++ ---- chlorophyll

EXAMPLE 3

[0153] Encapsulated Natural Indigo

[0154] An emulsion containing sodium salt of wood rosin (9.169 wt/wt %), glycerol ester of wood rosin (9.169 wt/wt %), natural indigo (1.834 wt/wt %) capryl glycoside (17.483%) and bees wax (1.834%) was made up in water (60.513 wt/wt %) by mixing using a Silverson high shear mixer for 3 minutes at 3000 r.p.m.

[0155] A first portion of the resulting emulsion was spray dried to a blue powder and the powder dispersed in a hand dish wash base (uncolored Ecover®). A second portion of the resulting emulsion was directly dispersed in the hand dish wash.

[0156] Note that the bees wax (which has low visible light absorbance and relatively high UV absorbance) improves the physical properties of the spray dried emulsion.

[0157] The hand dish wash bases were each exposed to UV irradiation using an Atlas Suntest® CPS+ benchtop apparatus (Atlas Material Testing Solutions, Linsengericht, Germany) at 765 W/m.sup.2 at room temperature during a period of 16 hours.

[0158] The color of the hand dish wash base containing the spray dried encapsulated natural indigo prior to, and following the irradiation is shown in FIG. 3C. The color of the hand dish wash base containing the directly used emulsion prior to, and following the irradiation is shown in FIG. 3B.

[0159] A suspension of natural indigo powder in the hand dish wash base was exposed to similar UV irradiation. The color of this hand dish wash base prior to, and following the exposure is shown in FIG. 3A.

[0160] As may be seen from FIG. 3C, the color of the hand dish wash base containing the spray dried encapsulated natural indigo following the UV irradiation 36 is essentially retained with little loss of intensity as compared to the color of the hand dish wash base prior to the irradiation 35.

[0161] As may be seen from FIG. 3B, the color of the hand dish wash base containing the directly used emulsion following the UV irradiation 34 is essentially retained albeit with some loss of intensity as compared to the color of the hand dish wash base prior to the irradiation 33.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Hand Dish Color intensity Colour Intensity Wash Base Prior to Irradiation After Irradiation Encapsulated natural ++++ +++- indigo - spray dried Encapsulated natural ++++ ++-- indigo - emulsion Natural indigo powder ++++ ----

[0162] By contrast, as may be seen from FIG. 3A, the color of the hand dish wash base containing the natural indigo powder following irradiation 32 is near completely lost as compared to the color of the hand wash base prior to the irradiation 31.

[0163] The outcomes of these irradiation tests are qualitatively outlined in the Table 3.

[0164] It is clearly seen from these irradiation studies, that the process of spray drying emulsions comprising encapsulated natural colors and reconstituting the emulsions gives an enhanced resistance to UV exposure as compared to directly using the emulsions.

[0165] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it appears that the spray drying provides for better encapsulation of the natural colors as compared to the emulsions.

[0166] Table 4 shows the wt/wt % composition of the spray dried encapsulated natural indigo as compared to the wt/wt % composition of the emulsion.

[0167] As may be seen, the higher proportions of natural indigo, sodium salt of wood rosin and wood rosin ester resulting from the spray drying appear to support a greater degree of encapsulation as compared to the emulsion.

[0168] The present invention renders oil soluble natural colours dispersible in water and water soluble natural colors dispersible in oils.

[0169] It enhances the visible and UV light stability of natural colors making it possible to include natural colors in HI&I formulations.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Encapsulated natural Encapsulated natural indigo - emulsion indigo - spray dried Constituent % wt/wt % wt/wt Purified water 60.513 4.340 Dresinate® X* 9.169 27.127 Natural Indigo 1.834 5.425 Capryl glucoside 17.483 30.556 Wood rosin ester 9.169 27.127 Bees wax 1.834 5.425 * sodium salt of wood rosin

EXAMPLE 4

[0170] Encapsulated Madder Extract—

[0171] Madder Extract (0.652 wt/wt %), Cyclodextrin (2.833 wt/wt %) and Ethanol (8.5 wt/wt %) were dissolved in in Deionised Water A (28.332 wt/wt %) with mixing. The mixture was heated to 65° C. and mixed for a further 30 mins at 65° C. The mixture was left to stand for 8 hours. Then 40% Gum Rosin Ester in vegetable oil mixture (1.886 wt/wt %) was added with mixing. Gum Acacia (1.133 wt/wt %) was dissolved in Deionised Water B (56.664 wt/wt %) with mixing and then added to the Madder Extract/Gum Rosin/Cyclodextrin mixture slowly with mixing. The resulting slurry was then spray dried. The spray dried material was dispersed in the hand dish wash base (uncolored Ecover®).

[0172] The mixtures were then exposed to UV irradiation using an Atlas Suntest® CPS+ benchtop apparatus (Atlas Material Testing Solutions, Linsengericht, Germany) at 765 W/m.sup.2 at 35° C. The colour of the mixture prior to exposure and after 1 hour and 2 hours of exposure is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4, in tubes labelled 42, 44 and 46. This is shown compared to unencapsulated madder extract also in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C in tubes labelled 41, 43 and 45. This is quantitively shown in Table 5. The Encapsulated Madder extract has a higher colour intensity prior to irradiation, but also a much higher colour intensity after irradiation, than the unencapsulated Madder extract.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Color intensity Color Intensity Color Intensity Prior to After 1 hour After 2 hours Irradiation Irradiation Irradiation Unencapsulated ++-- ++-- +--- Madder extract Encapsulated +++++ ++++- ++++- Madder extract

EXAMPLE 5

[0173] Organic Silane Encapsulated Natural Indigo

[0174] An emulsion containing Phenylaminopropyl tetramethoxysilane (2.817 wt/wt %), Gum Arabic (0.282 wt/wt %) and natural indigo (5.634 wt/wt %) was made up in purified water (91.268 wt/wt %) by mixing.

[0175] A first portion of the resulting emulsion was spray dried to a blue powder and the powder dispersed in a hand dish wash base (uncolored Ecover®). A second portion of the resulting emulsion was directly dispersed in the hand dish wash.

[0176] The hand dish wash bases were each exposed to UV irradiation using an Atlas Suntest® CPS+ benchtop apparatus (Atlas Material Testing Solutions, Linsengericht, Germany) at 765 W/m.sup.2 at room temperature during a period of 8 hours.

[0177] The color of the hand dish wash base containing the directly used emulsion prior to, and following the irradiation is shown in FIG. 5A. The color of the hand dish wash base containing the spray dried encapsulated natural indigo prior to, and following the irradiation is shown in FIG. 5B.

[0178] As may be seen from FIG. 5A, the color of the hand dish wash base containing the directly used emulsion following the UV irradiation 52 is retained albeit with some loss of intensity as compared to the color of the hand dish wash base prior to the irradiation 51.

[0179] As may be seen from FIG. 5B, the color of the hand dish wash base containing the spray dried encapsulated natural indigo following the UV irradiation 54 is retained albeit with some loss of intensity as compared to the color of the hand dish wash base prior to the irradiation 53.

[0180] This can be seen by contrast to FIG. 3A and Table 3 (also shown for comparison in Table 6), where the color of the hand dish wash base containing the natural indigo powder following irradiation 32 is near completely lost as compared to the color of the hand wash base prior to the irradiation 31.

[0181] The outcomes of these irradiation tests are qualitatively outlined in the Table 6.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Hand Dish Color intensity Colour Intensity Wash Base Prior to Irradiation After Irradiation Encapsulated natural + + + + ++-- indigo - emulsion Encapsulated natural + + + + ++-- indigo - spray dried Natural indigo powder + + + + ----

[0182] Table 7 shows the wt/wt % composition of the spray dried encapsulated natural indigo as compared to the wt/wt % composition of the emulsion.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Encapsulated natural Encapsulated natural indigo - emulsion indigo - spray dried Constituent % wt/wt % wt/wt Purified water 91.268 2.027 Phenylaminopropyl 2.817 27.027 tetramethoxysilane Gum Arabic 0.282 3.378 Natural Indigo 5.634 67.568

[0183] Copper chlorophyll is an oil soluble dye, Madder extract is a water soluble dye and Natural indigo is a dye that effectively behaves as a pigment and is almost insoluble in all common or safe to use solvents for the described products and uses herein. Thus, herein is described the successful encapsulation of a broad range of natural dyes. This proves the possible encapsulation and use of all natural dyes and pigments for the herein described application areas.

[0184] A range of different encapsulation materials are also described and exemplified herein. Oligosaccharides or polysaccharides (e.g. Maltodextrin, Cyclodextrin) mixtures of glycoproteins and polysaccharides (e.g. Gum Arabic, Gum Acacia), oil-soluble rosins or a rosin derivatives (e.g. Glycerol ester of wood rosin, Sodium salt of wood rosin), organic silanes (e.g. Phenylaminopropyl tetramethoxysilane) and natural or synthetic waxes (e.g. bees wax).

[0185] A variety of solvents and surfactants are also described and exemplified, including oil, alcohol and water based solvents.

[0186] Encapsulation also enhances the chemical stability of natural colors so that they are better able to withstand the aggressive media found in HI&I formulations.

[0187] The enhanced stability of the encapsulated natural color is at least twice that of the unencapsulated natural colors and is consistent with the supermarket shelf-life requirement (up to 1 year) of the HI&I market.

[0188] The present invention makes a wide range of encapsulated natural colors available for use in HI&I compositions and products. The use of encapsulating materials which are naturally occurring for the natural colors further protects the environment and the consumer alike.

[0189] The present invention also provides for HI&I compositions or products which need substantially less UV absorbing additive (typically synthetic) as compared to existing H&I compositions or products. The HI&I compositions or products may be completely free from such additives.

[0190] Note that references herein to ranges “between” lower and upper values are references to ranges including the lower and upper values.

[0191] Note further that much of the technology described herein is transferable to cosmetic applications.