Dosage of indigotine (indole alkaloid)

Indigotine , also known as indigo blue , is a natural dye belonging to the indole alkaloid . Derived from dye plants such as Indigofera tinctoria or Isatis tinctoria , it has been used for centuries to dye textiles and, more recently, as a natural food coloring (E132).
Indigotine content is used to control the purity, concentration, and color intensity of plant extracts, dyes, or finished products, ensuring regulatory compliance and color stability .

Principle and operation of the method

Indigotine analysis relies on high-precision spectral and chromatographic methods:

• UV-Vis spectrophotometry : allows for the rapid quantification of the dye by measuring absorbance at a specific wavelength (approximately 610 nm). This technique is suitable for routine controls and products with a high indigo content.
• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) : ensures precise separation of indole components and allows simultaneous detection of impurities or oxidized derivatives.
• LC-MS (chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) : used to confirm molecular structure and identify possible contamination or degradation products.

These methods guarantee reliable quantification , even at trace levels, in complex matrices such as plant extracts or natural food formulations.

Analytical performance and related analyses

Indigotin analysis allows for the evaluation of the quality of natural colorants and their compliance with European regulations (Directive 1333/2008/EC for food additives).
For a complete characterization of pigments and colored molecules, this analysis can be combined with other services from the YesWeLab catalog, such as:

• the dosage of curcumin ,
• chlorophyll dosage ,
• the dosage of betanine ,
• or even the measurement of anthocyanins.

These additional analyses provide a complete colorimetric profile , useful for natural formulations, batch controls and stability studies.

Applications and areas of use

Indigotine measurement is applicable in several fields:

• Nutraceutical and food industry : control of natural indigo content in supplements, drinks or foods colored with plant pigments.
• Textile industry : verification of the concentration of the dye in dye baths or natural fibers.
• Phytochemistry research : study of indole alkaloids and their bioactive derivatives.

The matrices typically analyzed include extracts of dye plants , food colorings , plant powders and natural textiles .

The advantages of the YesWeLab service

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of ISO 17025 and COFRAC accredited laboratories , experts in chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses applied to natural dyes and plant molecules.
Each sample is entrusted to the most suitable laboratory according to the matrix, the method, and the desired level of sensitivity.

Thanks to its digital platform , YesWeLab simplifies the management of analyses: sample submission, results tracking, and personalized scientific support.
Since 2020, numerous players in the food, cosmetics, and nutraceutical have trusted YesWeLab to guarantee the quality and traceability of their natural extracts.

For any specific request regarding the dosage of indigotine , contact our scientific team for a customized quote and advice tailored to your analytical needs.