alkannin
Sign in to saveAlso known as alkanet extract, C.I. Natural red 20, Anchusaic acid, Anchusin
Alkannin is a natural dye that is obtained from the extracts of the plant dyer's alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) which is found in the Mediterranean region. The dye is used as a food coloring and in cosmetics; within the European E number schedule, it is numbered E103. It is used as a red-brown food additive in regions such as Australia. Alkannin is deep red in an acid and blue in an alkaline environment. The chemical structure as a naphthoquinone derivative was first determined by Hans Brockmann in 1936. The (R)-enantiomer of alkannin is known as shikonin, and the racemic mixture of the two is kn
Wikidata facts
- Mass
- 288.1
Show 4 more facts
- Commons category
- Alkannin
- chemical formula
- C₁₆H₁₆O₅
- isomeric SMILES
- CC(=CC[C@@H](C1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)O)C
- canonical SMILES
- CC(=CCC(C1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)O)C
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Article
3 sectionsContents
- Biosynthesis
- Research
- References
Alkannin is a natural dye that is obtained from the extracts of the plant dyer's alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) which is found in the Mediterranean region. The dye is used as a food coloring and in cosmetics; within the European E number schedule, it is numbered E103. It is used as a red-brown food additive in regions such as Australia. Alkannin is deep red in an acid and blue in an alkaline environment. The chemical structure as a naphthoquinone derivative was first determined by Hans Brockmann in 1936. The (R)-enantiomer of alkannin is known as shikonin, and the racemic mixture of the two is known as shikalkin.
== Biosynthesis == The enzyme 4-hydroxybenzoate geranyltransferase utilizes geranyl diphosphate and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid to produce 3-geranyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and diphosphate. These compounds are then used to form alkannin.