Optimization of Natural Colorant Extraction from the Fruit Peels of Wild Pomegranate

Punica granatum var. daru, commonly referred to as wild pomegranate, is widely distributed across Himalayan region and is characterized by its sour flavoured arils (anardana). A large quantity of fruit peels generates during the anardana production, which are traditionally used for various herbal and tanning purposes. These biowaste peels are a rich in polyphenolics and other bioactive constituents. Despite of its phytochemical richness and traditional values, limited research has focused on the valorisation of its fruit peel waste, especially for natural dye extraction. To validate its traditional claim, present study aimed at the valorisation of underutilized fruit peels of wild pomegranate through protocol optimization for extraction of natural colorant. The influence of three critical parameters including material to liquor Ratio (MLR), pH, and time on the optical density were systematically examined. Additionally, biochemical parameters such as total tannin and flavonoid content were assessed. The optimum extraction conditions were determined to be an MLR of 3 g/100 mL, pH 3, and time of 15 minutes, under which a reddish-brown dye with optical density 1.41 was obtained with the yield of 18.33%. Biochemical parameters including total tannin content (TTC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) were also found 0.28%, and 0.14%, respectively. The extracted dye imparted various shades of yellowish-brown when applied to different textile substrate. This is first time report that highlights a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for the valorisation of such biowaste, with promising implications for its integration into large scale sectors such as textiles, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.