Title: Alkanet
Additional Names: Alkanna; orcanette; dyer's alkanet; anchusa; orkanet
Literature References: The root of Alkanna tinctoria Tausch, Boraginaceae. Habit. Asia Minor, Hungary, Greece, Mediterranean region. Constit. Alkannin (the coloring principle) and tannin. Extraction of roots: Betrabet, Chakravarti, J. Indian Inst. Sci. 16A, 51 (1933); C.A. 28, 1038 (1934); Majamdar, Chakravarti, J. Indian Chem. Soc. 17, 272 (1940); C.A. 34, 6262 (1940).
Derivative Type: Alkannin paper
Additional Names: Anchusin paper; Boettger's paper
Properties: White paper impregnated with a 1% alc tincture of alkanet root and dried. A blue paper can be made from the red paper by treating the latter with a 1% Na2CO3 soln. This paper acts nearly like litmus paper. Alkalies = green or blue; acids = red. pH: 8.0 red; 10.0 blue.
Use: For coloring wines, cosmetics, confectionery. Alkannin paper as indicator.
Therap-Cat: Astringent. |