Carthamus red is a deep red dye derived from the safflower plant. The word is spelled /ˈkɑːθəməs rɛd/ using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with an open back unrounded vowel and the second syllable with a schwa sound. The "th" sound is unvoiced, made by placing the tip of the tongue gently between the top and bottom teeth. The final syllable contains the short "e" sound, followed by the "d" consonant sound. This dye is often used in textiles, foods, and cosmetic products.
Carthamus red is a natural red pigment derived from the flowers of the Carthamus tinctorius plant, commonly known as safflower. It is a water-soluble dye that is widely used as a coloring agent in various industries, including food, cosmetics, and textiles.
The Carthamus red pigment is obtained by extracting and purifying the red compounds present in the petals of safflower flowers. These compounds, known as carthamin or carthaminic acid, are responsible for the vibrant red color exhibited by the dye. The extraction process typically involves pulverizing the flowers, mixing them with a solvent, and then filtering and concentrating the resulting liquid to obtain a concentrated carthamin solution.
Carthamus red is valued for its intense red hue and its resistance to fading, making it a desirable choice for applications requiring long-lasting color. In the food industry, it is commonly used to add a red or pink hue to various products, such as beverages, candies, and confectioneries. It can also be found in cosmetics, including lipsticks, blushes, and nail polishes, where it imparts a rich and vibrant red shade. Furthermore, carthamus red is employed in the textile industry to dye fabrics and fibers, as it exhibits good lightfastness and resistance to washing.
In conclusion, carthamus red is a natural, water-soluble red pigment obtained from safflower flowers, widely utilized as a coloring agent in food, cosmetics, and textiles due to its vibrant hue and color stability.
The word "carthamus red" does not have an etymology of its own. It is a compound name derived from two separate terms: "carthamus" and "red".- Carthamus: This term comes from the Greek word "karthamos" (κάρθαμος). It is the name of a thistle-like plant also known as safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), which produces red, yellow, or orange flowers. The word "karthamos" itself may have roots in the ancient Egyptian word "kartam" or the Semitic word "karta".- Red: This term comes from the Old English word "rēad", which evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "raudaz". Ultimately, "red" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₁rewdʰ-", meaning "red" or "to redden".