Researching biocolour

Biocolourants differ from the conventionally utilized synthetic colourants and thus their dyeing processes and performance also differ from the conventional solutions. The need for understanding their interactions with various materials and releasing the full potential of the biocolourants has inspired us to carry out studies on the physicochemical characteristics of biocolourants. In this chapter, these studies are compiled into three cases. Case #1, “Stability of biocolourants”, highlights pushing the limits of biocolourant stability and presents two studies on colour fastness of natural indigo pigment on wood coating applications. Case #2, “Textile dyeing with natural colourants and biomordants”, introduces metal-free fixation of dyes to textiles and features two studies on textile dyeing with bio-based colourants and mordants. Case #3, “Biocolourants in functional materials”, focuses on potential of biocolourants with unique properties and presents a group of studies on camouflaging and antioxidative biocolourants.