Catalytic activity o f the enzyme which mediates the synthesis o f carthamin was examined in the etiolated hypocotyl tissues o f Carthamus tinctorius L. The enzyme was optim ally active at pH 5.2 in citrate buffer. The activity o f the enzyme was highest in the extract from 2-day-old seedlings after sowing and it declined sharply with tissue ageing. The enzyme activity was localized in the apic...

Carthamin, the natural dye of carthamus tinctorius (Golrang) was separated by soxhlet extraction and further purified in good yields. Its mordant dyeing of wool, using potassium dichromate as mordant, showed a high washing fastness (above 4). Mordanting by "sweet chrome", "sour chrome", and "reduced chrome" proved that last one to be superior.