<scp>The BioColour</scp> Library

Abstract The attraction of adopting natural and bio‐based colourants in applications has grown, but their use suffers from a lack of certification bodies, standards and reference data. In the BioColour project, we are developing an open database and tools for the characterisation, authentication and quality analysis of biocolourant sources, biocolourants and coloured products. The database is multidisciplinary and currently combines taxonomy, botany and chemistry to form chemo‐taxonomic authenticity fingerprints of biocolourant compounds. The database collates numerical structured data from targeted analyses, such as high‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detector‐tandem mass spectrometry from published peer‐reviewed articles and books. The target audience, in addition to researchers, and expected use‐cases of the database, includes biocolourant refining, companies using biocolourants, dye conservators and archaeologists. For craft enthusiasts and hobbyists, the database also records material and colour information, consisting of both CIELab colour coordinates as well as spectral reflectance, of textile samples dyed with various biocolourants. We have implemented the database as an online service with a Django web framework and PostgreSQL relational database management system. This article discusses the key features of the current prototype database system from the user's perspective, demonstrating that the three main sections of the database are divided it into taxonomy fact sheets, chemical fact sheets and a colour palette. We published the database as an open publicly available online service on 16 December 2024.