TY  - JOUR
T1  - Stability of the Fungal Pigment from Scytalidium cuboideum Carried in Food-Grade Natural Oils
JF  - Journal of Fungi
Y1  - 2022
A1  - Hinsch,Eric
A1  - Gutierrez,Sarah
A1  - Van Court,R. C.
A1  - Chen,Hsiou-Lien
A1  - Robinson,Sara
KW  - Design Program
AB  - Wood-staining fungal pigments have shown potential use as colorants for wood and textiles, with organic solvents as the pigment carrier. Natural oils have been suggested as an environmentally friendly and more available carrier; however, oils promoted color degradation. The current study examined the mechanism of said degradation and tested therapeutic and food-grade oils (instead of finishing oils) for their potential to carry draconin red, the pigment from Scytalidium cuboideum, without color loss over time. FTIR analysis from finishing oils indicated that oxidation was not likely the cause of color loss as the pigment could not be distinguished from the oils in the IR spectra. SEM was employed to determine if crystal degradation was contributing to color loss and indicated, surprisingly, that the crystals of draconin red formed rather than degraded over time. This suggested crystal breakdown was also not likely the cause of color loss. The pigment did not show degradation in hemp oil, flaxseed oil, and cold-pressed linseed oil when treated with β-carotene. Further in- depth chemical studies are needed to determine the mechanism of color loss in pigmented natural oils; however, food-grade oils appear to be a promising alternative to carry draconin red, without degradation of the color.
CY  - Basel
UR  - https:// doi.org/10.3390/jof8030276
U2  - a
U4  - 233020801024
ID  - 233020801024
ER  -