Orcein

Orcein, also archil, orchil, lacmus, litmus, Citrus Red 2, and C. I. Natural Red 28, are names for dyes extracted from several species of lichen, also called orchella weeds, found in various parts of the world. A dye can generally be described as a Colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied Lichens (ˈlaɪkən or /lɪtʃən/ are symbiotic associations of a Fungus (the mycobiont with a photosynthetic partner (the photobiont also known as Commercial archil is either a powder (called cudbear) or a paste. It is red in acidic pH and blue in alkaline pH. pH is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a Solution.

Orcein is approved as a food dye, with E number E121. A food coloring is any substance that is added to Food or Drink to change its Color. E numbers are number codes for Food additives and are usually found on Food labels throughout the European Union. Its CAS number is [1400-62-0]. CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for Chemical compounds Polymers biological sequences mixtures and Alloys They are also referred to Its chemical formula is C₂₈H₂₄N₂O₇. It forms dark brown crystals.

Can be used to stain elastic fibers found in connective tissue.

Orcinol is extracted from archil lichen, Rocella tinctoria. Orcinol is a natural Phenolic Organic compound that occurs in many species of Lichens It is then converted to orcein by ammonia and air. Ammonia is a compound with the formula N[[hydrogen H3]] It is normally encountered as a Gas with a characteristic pungent Odor Orcein is a reddish-brown dye, orchil is a purple-blue dye. Orcein is also used as a stain in microscopy to visualize elastic fibers. Staining is an auxiliary Technique used in Microscopy to enhance contrast in the microscopic image Elastic fibers (or yellow fibers) are bundles of Proteins ( Elastin) found in Connective tissue and produced by Fibroblasts and It is a mixture of phenoxazone derivates - hydroxyorceins, aminoorceins, and aminoorceinimines.

Another lichen-derived dye is litmus.

Cudbear

Cudbear is a dye extracted from orchil lichens that produces colours in the purple range. A dye can generally be described as a Colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied Lichens (ˈlaɪkən or /lɪtʃən/ are symbiotic associations of a Fungus (the mycobiont with a photosynthetic partner (the photobiont also known as Purple is a general term for the range of shades of Color occurring between Red and Blue. It can be used to dye wool and silk, without the use of mordant. Wool is the fiber derived from the specialized skin cells called follicles of animals in the Caprinae family principally sheep, but the hair of certain species Silk is a natural Protein Fiber, some forms of which can be woven into Textiles The best-known type of silk is obtained from cocoons A mordant is a substance used to set Dyes on fabrics by forming an insoluble compound with the dye

Cudbear was developed by Dr Cuthbert Gordon of Scotland: production began in 1758, and it was patented in 1766. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. A patent is a set of Exclusive rights granted by a State to an inventor or his assignee for a fixed period of time in exchange for a disclosure of an The lichen is first boiled in a solution of ammonium carbonate. Ammonium carbonate is the commercial salt formerly known as sal volatile or salt of hartshorn. The mixture is then cooled and ammonia is added and the mixture is kept damp for 3-4 weeks. Ammonia is a compound with the formula N[[hydrogen H3]] It is normally encountered as a Gas with a characteristic pungent Odor Then the lichen is dried and ground to powder. The manufacture details were carefully protected, with a ten-feet high wall being built around the manufacturing facility, and staff consisting of Highlanders sworn to secrecy. The lichen consumption soon reached 250 tons per year and import from Norway and Sweden had to be arranged. [1]

Cudbear was the first dye to be invented in modern times, and one of the few dyes to be credited to a named individual.

Similar process was invented in France. The lichen is extracted by ammonia. Ammonia is a compound with the formula N[[hydrogen H3]] It is normally encountered as a Gas with a characteristic pungent Odor Then the extract is acidified, the dissolved dye precipitates and is washed. Then it is dissolved in ammonia again, the solution is heated in air until it becomes purple, then it is precipitated with calcium chloride; the resulting insoluble purple solid is known as French purple, a fast orchid dye that did not fade in light like the other lichen dyes. Calcium chloride (CaCl2 is an ionic compound of Calcium and Chlorine.