"Plant-derived indigo is a marginal, alternative product, and it does not currently compete with synthetic indigo," Vuorema says. Vuorema also investigated indirect electrochemical reduction. She discovered that 1.8-dihydroxyanthraquinone was an efficient catalyst for glucose-induced reduction. Electrochemical reduction can only be introduced by major companies as it requires investment in special equipment.

"We still need to achieve a lower pH in glucose reduction and solve the matter of impurities," Vuorema muses.

Anne Vuorema's doctoral dissertation, Reduction and Analysis Methods of Indigo, was publicly reviewed at the University of Turku on 19^th December 2008 at midday. Professor Bernd Rudolph of the University of Applied Sciences Jena will serve as the opponent and Professor Keijo Haapakka of the University of Turku as custos.

About the Author

The author is the Research Scientist at MTT Agrifood Research Finland.