Characterization of pigments from malus domestica leaves for wool dyeing

The study presents results of the mass spectrometric analysis of pigments found in leaves of domestic apple trees (M. domestica) used to dye wool yarns. Yarns were dyed with fresh leaves of M. domestica. Before dyeing, the yarn was treated with a mordant of potassium aluminium sulfate. Dyestuffs from the yarn were extracted by a modified hydrochloric acid method of hydrolysis. Extracts were analysed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MS) for identification of the pigments. Phytochemical screening of dyeing solution of the M. domestica leaves showed the presence of dihydrochalcones (phloretin, phlorizin), flavan-3-ols (dimeric B type proanthocyanidin, catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin), flavanols (quercetin derivatives: hyperoside, rutin, quercitrin), phenolic acids and other compounds.