~ 104 ~ Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2016; 4(6): 104-107 ISSN 2320-3862 JMPS 2016; 4(6): 104-107 © 2016 JMPS Received: 16-09-2016 Accepted: 17-10-2016 M Vasundhara Department of Horticulture, Medicinal and Aromatic Section, UAS (B), GKVK, Bangalore, India B Radhika Department of Horticulture, Medicinal and Aromatic Section, UAS (B), GKVK, Bangalore, India BS Thara Department of Horticulture, Medicinal and Aromatic Section, UAS (B), GKVK, Bangalore, India Priyanka R Department of Horticulture, Medicinal and Aromatic Section, UAS (B), GKVK, Bangalore, India Ashwini Jayaram Department of Horticulture, Medicinal and Aromatic Section, UAS (B), GKVK, Bangalore, India Correspondence M Vasundhara Department of Horticulture, Medicinal and Aromatic Section, UAS (B), GKVK, Bangalore, India Organic colours for Ayurvastra from kokum fruits and rinds M Vasundhara, B Radhika, BS Thara, Priyanka R and Ashwini Jayaram Abstract Kokum (Garcinia indica Choisy) is an indigenous and commercially valuable fruit crop. The rich bioactive profile of kokum makes it a highly nutritious and desirable fruit crop. The ripened fruits are used as kokum extract, syrup, nectar, juice etc. The present study was taken up with the objective of extraction and estimation of anthocyanin pigment (mg/100g) from kokum rind (Fresh, dry and sugar rind). Total Anthocyanin Content varied from 79.93, 85.03,7.83mg/100g in fresh, dry and sugar rind samples respectively. The results highlighted that Sugar rind samples can also be utilized as a source of Anthocyanin. Extracted dye was tested on different fabrics for their applicability and color range from sugar rind samples and compared it with the pigments extracted from fresh and dry kokum fruit rinds in developing organic clothes. Keywords: Kokum, anthocyanin, organic colours, Ayurvastra 1. Introduction Ayurvastra (Ayurvedic and herbal clothes) is an ancient technique of dyeing textiles with medicinal herbs. It is based on the ayurvedic principle that a regular contact of cloth made from the yarns infused with organic herbs and medicinal plant extracts will enable the medicinal properties permanently being encapsulated to the fabrics [1] . Ayurvastra is more effective when the body is most at rest such as during sleep or meditating. When exposed on skin, the herbs are absorbed into the body and provide treatment for a broad range of diseases including diabetes, skin infections, asthma, arthritis and hypertension. They also relieve metabolic disorders, eliminate toxins, improve metabolism, strengthen the immune system and thus thread a new line of healthy living. Ayurvastra in the form of sleepwear, bedsheets, towels, meditation clothes and coir mats are being used [2] . The demand for natural and organic dyes for ayurvastra has been increasing considerably because of their eco-friendliness, non- toxic and water solubility unlike chemical and synthetic dyes which pollute the environment. Anthocyanins are one such group of organic colors which are natural phenolic pigments or glycosylated polyhydroxy and polymethoxy derivatives, widely distributed in nature and account for colours in several fruits, flowers and vegetables. They are utilized for the color intensity and appearance; improves the visual activity also known for multitude of health benefits [3] 2). The worldwide market of dyes and organic pigments is expected to grow at six percent every year, to reach $19.5 billion in 2019 from $14.5 billion in 2014, as per the new Freedonia group report. China is the dominant global consumer of dyes and organic pigments and rapid growth is also seen in smaller Asian markets such as India, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Garcinia indica or Kokum is known to be a rich source of anthocyanin. Cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside are the major pigments present in kokum, and is reported to occur in the ratio of 4:1 [4] . Garcinia indica, is an indigenous, endemic and underutilized perennial medicinal fruit tree. Commonly known as Kokum, Goa butter tree, Biran, Amsool, Ratamba etc., and distributed mainly in the western Peninsular coastal regions and parts of Eastern India [5] . Kokum, is an antioxidant rich fruit used in the name of Vrikshamba in Ayurveda. The fruits are conical/oblong/pear/spherical in shape, with an average diameter of 1.8-5.51cm and length of 1.19-2.63cm, with 3-8 large seeds being embedded in a red acidic pulp. India produces around 10, 200 metric tons of kokum, with a productivity of 8.5 tons/ha. [6] . Kokum fruits are utilized both in fresh and dry forms; the fruits and fruit rind is valued as a nutraceutical source as it is a rich source of protein, tannin, pectin, total sugars, fat, tannin, starch, crude fat and citric acid. The therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial,