Morpho-agronomic characterization and variation of indigo precursors in woad (Isatis tinctoriaL.) accessions

Abstract

Woad (Isatis tinctoria L.) was the most important source of natural blue indigo, a pigment used mainly for dyestuff until the beginning of the 20th century, when the increased use of synthetic dyes by the industry lead to a decrease in the interest of natural dyes and to the abandonment of dye crops. The aim of this study was to characterize, according to morphological and agronomical traits, 11 woad accessions from different countries and to quantify the indigo precursor content by high-performance liquid chromatograph-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Qualitative traits revealed a low variability and a great variation was observed in quantitative traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) diagrams divided the accessions into four groups, primarily according to their geographic origin. The first three components of the PCA accounted for 76.8% of the total variation. Reciprocal interactions between indigo precursors and fresh leaf weight were compared through genetic diversity, with significant differences in isatan B (0.5 -5.1 g/kg), indoxyl (0.3 -2.0 g/kg) and residual indigo (0.3 -0.5 g/kg). This information, together with genetic data, can be used to assist local farmers to re-introduce Isatis species in the European agricultural system, not only indicating the higher indigo yielding genotypes, but also the most suitable harvest time.

High yielding indigo sources in native Isatis (Brassicaceae) taxa from Turkey

“…If compared to indigo amounts about I. indigotica and I. tinctoria with the literatures, our results showed similar or higher indigo content than Kokubun et al (1997), Wu et al (1999), Gilbert et al (2004), Liau et al (2007, Angelini et al (2007) and Rocha et al (2011) reports.…”

“…Within the studies regarding Europe, indican amount were found between 5 lg/g and 5.94 mg/g in I. tinctoria fresh leaf (Kokubun et al 1997;Gilbert et al 2004;Campeol et al 2006;Angelini et al 2007). Morover indican contents of woad accessions from different countries were found between 0.6 and 2.11 g/kg by Rocha et al (2011). Under China conditions, Zou and Koh (2007) analyzed I. indigotica collected from two different locations and indican amounts were found as 12.8-29.4 lg/g.…”

The role of natural indigo dye in alleviation of genotoxicity of sodium dithionite as a reducing agent

“…The indican results obtained herein were close to the previous studies (Kokubun et al 1998;Gilbert et al 2004;Zou and Koh 2007;Rocha et al 2011;Campeol et al 2006;Angelini et al 2007). Indirubin results were similar or lower than those in the previous studies (Liau et al 2007;Gilbert et al 2004;Zou and Koh 2007;Chen et al 2011).…”

Bazı Isatis Türlerinin Yaprak Karakterleri ve İndikan İçeriği Üzerine Farklı Ekim Zamanlarının Etkisi

“…Thus, high variability for agronomic and genetic traits was frequently observed (Spataro and Negri 2008). The renewed interest in natural dyes showed that the potentials in cultivations of woad in marginal lands and their usage in medicine and cosmetic industry could make it interesting crop in the near future (Rocha et al 2011).…”