Dyes/colorants are normally used to improve the aesthetic of consumer products, and leather is one of them. The leather industry plays a significant role in the global economy. However, the leather-making process causes severe environmental pollution. Synthetic dyes are one of the major classes of leather chemicals that are responsible for the enhanced pollution load created by the industry. Over the years, excessive use of synthetic dyes in consumer products created severe environmental pollution and health hazard. Many of these synthetic dyes are carcinogenic, allergic, cause serious health problems for human beings, and have been restricted by regulatory authorities for use in consumer goods. Since ancient days, natural dyes and colorants have been used to make lives colorful. Amid the green movements and environment-friendly products/processes, natural dyes are back to mainstream fashion. Moreover, natural colorants have become a trend due to their eco-friendly nature. The demand for non-toxic and eco-friendly dyes and pigments is increasing. However, the question remains \"is natural dyeing sustainable\" or \"how to make it sustainable.\" Here, we review the literature reports on natural dye\'s application in leather in the last two decades. This review article provides a detailed overview and current knowledge base on the various plant-based natural dyes used in leather dyeing, their fastness properties, and the need of the hour in terms of product and process development to make natural dying sustainable. The color fastness characteristics of the dyed leather to light, rub, and perspiration have been critically discussed.

Natural plant pigments have attracted researchers to investigate the application of these dyes in food products. Besides, public awareness of the adverse effects of synthetic dye also increased the demand for natural pigments. Various colours can be obtained from different plants. Interestingly, these pigments are not only beneficial in the appearance of final food products, but they are very advantageous to the plant itself, food and human nutrition. Hence, this article reviews the state-of-the-art establishment of plant pigment application in food products. This review starts with a brief explanation of plant pigment usage in food, followed by clarifications on the functions of six primary plant dyes and the extraction of the natural pigments. The importance of natural pigments is shared. A highlight of future challenges facing the food industry in utilizing natural pigment is also discussed.

This review highlights and summarizes the impact of different fabrication processes on the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Energy conversion efficiency of cell depends upon semiconductor, sensitizer, electrolyte, and counter electrode. Efficiency of DSSCs can be enhanced by properly selecting the optimum significance of various parameters of fabrications process. Major challenges of these solar cells are non-vegetal, noxious, extreme sensitizers. Application of natural dyes in this field plays a significant role. An optimized CdSe-TiO2 photoanode showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.29% and short circuit current density of 15.30 mA cm-2 for the DSSC. Power conversion efficiency of 3.26% was achieved by using TTO electrode for DSSC device that is ascribed to the improved electrical and optical properties due to doping with Ta element. Absorbance of betalain was shown in the visible range of 530-535 nm for betanin while 450-559 nm for anthocyanin pigment. The natural dyes are economical, readily available, and environmentally friendly. This compilation would be beneficial for researchers working on dye solar cell.

Due to the potentially harmful effects of some synthetic dyes, there is an increasing demand for natural colorants. Recent literature has emphasized the necessity of investigating new sources of dyes. This review discusses the biological sources of dyes derived from the rich plant diversity of Madagascar. As one of the first contributions on the use of these dyestuffs for dyeing textiles, it provides an overview of 128 dye plant species with other potential applications for coloring materials in industry. A detailed description of the botanical and chemical properties of these dyestuffs is given. We believe that the Madagascar plant diversity may be a promising source of novel colorants not yet investigated. We considered it worthwhile to carry out a thorough scientific study of a set of Malagasy plants carefully selected for their coloring properties together with their potential use and valorization in specialized industries where use of natural colorants would be a particular interest.

The perennial flowering plant, saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.), is the source of the most expensive spice in the world. The dried stigmas of saffron flowers are the source of a natural dye, saffron, which has been used from ancient times for dyeing silk and fabric rugs, and for painting; it also has been used for cooking and in medicine. The yellow compounds present in the dye include crocins, which are 20-carbon water soluble glycosyl derivatives of the carotenoid, crocetin, and the dicarboxylic acid itself. We review the chemistry of these compounds and discuss various applications of saffron as a natural dye. We review in particular the use of saffron or its constituents in histopathologic techniques.