Dyeing solution, method for dyeing cut flowers, and flower vase.

Abstract

To provide a method for dyeing cut flowers in which there is no coloration due to the pigment under visible light, but luminescence due to the pigment is exhibited when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and a dyeing solution used therein. [Solution] A dyeing solution containing water and a compound represented by the following formula (1), used for dyeing cut flowers. A method for dyeing cut flowers, comprising the step of allowing the cut flowers to absorb the dyeing solution containing water and a compound represented by the following formula (1). TIFF2026144069000010.tif41149 (In the formula, m, n, p, and q each independently represent 0, 1, or 2, provided that m+n≧1 and p+q≧1.)

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a staining solution, a method for staining cut flowers, and a flower vase.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for appreciating cut flowers used in bouquets and flower arrangements, there is a method that not only allows enjoyment of the original color of the flowers, but also achieves coloration via light emission of a fluorescent dye by having the flower absorb the fluorescent dye and then irradiating the flower with ultraviolet light (black light) to enjoy the coloration achieved by light emission of the fluorescent dye (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When staining flowers with a fluorescent dye, in order to further enjoy the original color of the flowers, it is desirable that the color tint of the dye is not visible under visible light, and light emission from the dye becomes visible only when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Accordingly, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for staining cut flowers that exhibits no coloration by the dye under visible light and produces light emission from the dye when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and a staining solution used in such method.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The present invention includes the following aspects. [1] A staining solution that contains water and a compound represented by the following formula (1) and is used for staining cut flowers.

Chemical Formula

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for dyeing cut flowers in which there is no coloration by the dye under visible light, but luminescence by the dye is exhibited when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and a dyeing solution used therein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a dyeing solution containing water and a compound represented by the following formula (1), which is used for dyeing cut flowers. [ka]

[0008] In the formula, m, n, p and q each independently represent 0, 1 or 2, provided that m+n≧1 and p+q≧1 are satisfied. m+n is preferably 1 or 2. p+q is preferably 1 or 2.

[0009] The compound represented by formula (1) is colorless under visible light due to having the above molecular structure, and emits light upon irradiation with ultraviolet light (for example, ultraviolet light having a central wavelength of 350 to 410 nm) particularly due to having at least one of a naphthol structure and an aminonaphthalene structure. Furthermore, since the compound represented by formula (1) has at least one of an SO₃H group and an SO₃Na group in addition to at least one of an OH group and an NH₂ group, it exhibits high water solubility. Therefore, when a dyeing solution containing water and the compound is used, cut flowers can be suitably dyed.

[0010] The dyeing solution may contain one type of the compound represented by formula (1), or may contain two or more types thereof. The compound represented by formula (1) may be in a hydrated state. The dyeing solution preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of H acid (formula (2) below), J acid (formula (3) below), M acid (formula (4) below), SS acid (formula (5) below), sodium 7-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonate (formula (6) below), and disodium chromotropate (formula (7) below), and more preferably contains H acid.

Chemical Formula

[0011] The content of the compound represented by formula (1) may be 0.05 mass% or more, 0.1 mass% or more, 0.2 mass% or more, or 0.3 mass% or more, based on the total amount of the dyeing solution, and may be 3 mass% or less, 2 mass% or less, or 1 mass% or less.

[0012] The content of water may be 90 mass% or more, 95 mass% or more, or 97 mass% or more, based on the total amount of the dyeing solution, and may be 99 mass% or less.

[0013] The staining solution may further contain an organic solvent miscible with water to further improve the solubility of the compound represented by formula (1). Such an organic solvent is preferably an alcoholic organic solvent such as methanol, ethanol or 2-propanol, more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of ethanol and 2-propanol. Based on the total mass of the staining solution, the content of the organic solvent may be 1% by mass or more, or 2% by mass or more, and may be 10% by mass or less, 5% by mass or less, or 3% by mass or less.

[0014] Since the compound represented by formula (1) has at least one of a naphthol structure and an aminonaphthalene structure, its oxidation resistance is not necessarily high. Therefore, the staining solution preferably further contains an antioxidant. Cut flowers dyed with a staining solution containing an antioxidant can maintain their appearance for a longer period of time than cut flowers dyed with a staining solution that does not contain an antioxidant.

[0015] Examples of the antioxidant include ascorbic acid (L-ascorbic acid or D-ascorbic acid), gallic acid, and the like. From the viewpoint of enabling the appearance to be maintained for a longer period of time, the staining solution preferably further contains ascorbic acid. Based on the total mass of the staining solution, the content of the antioxidant may be 0.1% by mass or more, 0.5% by mass or more, or 0.7% by mass or more, and may be 5% by mass or less, 3% by mass or less, or 2% by mass or less.

[0016] The staining solution may further contain other additives other than the antioxidant. Examples of the other additives include surfactants, pH adjusters, and preservatives. Based on the total mass of the staining solution, the total content of the other additives may be 0.1% by mass or more, 0.5% by mass or more, or 1% by mass or more, and may be 3% by mass or less, 2% by mass or less, or 1.5% by mass or less.

[0017] The pH of the staining solution may be 1.0 or higher, 2.0 or higher, or 2.5 or higher, and may be 9.0 or lower, 6.0 or lower, or 4.0 or lower. The pH of the staining solution is the pH measured at 25°C.

[0018] The dyeing solution described above is suitably absorbed by cut flowers, and therefore can suitably dye them. The cut flowers may belong to, for example, the orders Liliales, Asterales, Rosales, Fabales, Asparagales, or Caryophyllales. To further suitably enhance the luminescence of the cut flowers to be dyed, it is preferable that the petals of the cut flowers be white.

[0019] Cut flowers belonging to the order Liliales may also belong to the family Liliaceae or Alstroemeriaceae. Specific examples of such cut flowers include lilies, alstroemeria, Allium cowanii, and tulips.

[0020] Cut flowers belonging to the order Asterales may also belong to the family Asteraceae. Specific examples of such cut flowers include spray chrysanthemums, ping pong chrysanthemums, bloom chrysanthemums, and disbudded chrysanthemums.

[0021] Cut flowers belonging to the order Rosales may also belong to the family Rosaceae. Specific examples of such cut flowers include roses and spirea.

[0022] Cut flowers belonging to the order Fabales may also belong to the family Fabaceae. Examples of such cut flowers include sweet peas.

[0023] Cut flowers belonging to the order Asparagales may also belong to the family Amaryllidaceae or Orchidaceae. Specific examples of such cut flowers include chives, epidendrum, and dendrobium.

[0024] Cut flowers belonging to the order Caryophyllales may also belong to the family Caryophyllaceae. Specific examples of such cut flowers include baby's breath and carnations.

[0025] The cut flowers may preferably belong to the Liliales, Asterales, or Rosales orders, and more preferably to the Liliaceae family of the Liliales, Liliaceae family of the Liliales, Asteraceae family of the Asterales orders, or Rosaceae family of the Rosales orders.

[0026] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for dyeing cut flowers, comprising the step of allowing the cut flowers to absorb a dyeing solution containing water and a compound represented by formula (1) above. Details of the dyeing solution and cut flowers are as described above.

[0027] In the absorption process, for example, the tip of the cut stem of the cut flower is immersed in the dyeing solution to allow the flower to absorb it. Before allowing the flower to absorb the dyeing solution, it is preferable to filter the solution to remove insoluble components. The immersion time in the dyeing solution may be, for example, 1 to 12 hours.

[0028] The dyeing method according to this embodiment may further include a step of drying the cut flowers (drying step) before the absorption step. The drying step makes the dye solution more easily absorbed by the cut flowers. In the drying step, for example, the cut flowers are left to stand for 1 to 8 hours in an environment with a temperature of 15 to 30°C and a humidity of 10 to 40%.

[0029] The dyeing method according to this embodiment may further include a storage step (storage step) in which the tips of the stems of the dyed cut flowers are immersed in a preservation solution after the absorption step. The preservation solution used in the storage step may contain a known nutrient (for example, a commercially available nutrient) that is appropriately selected according to the type of cut flower.

[0030] Another embodiment of the present invention may be cut flowers dyed by the dyeing method described above. That is, cut flowers according to one embodiment are cut flowers dyed with a compound represented by formula (1). The cut flowers may contain the antioxidant described above. The dyed cut flowers may be placed in a vase, for example, for display. That is, another embodiment of the present invention may be a vase in which cut flowers dyed with a compound represented by formula (1) are placed.

[0031] Dyed cut flowers emit light when exposed to ultraviolet light. Therefore, dyed cut flowers may be used together with an ultraviolet irradiation device (light source) that emits such ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet irradiation device (light source) may be installed, for example, in the flower vase described above. The central wavelength of the ultraviolet light may be, for example, 350 to 410 nm, and preferably 360 to 370 nm from the viewpoint of making the cut flowers emit light more effectively.

[0032] Dyed cut flowers may be used in conjunction with an optical filter in addition to an ultraviolet irradiation device (light source). The optical filter may be installed, for example, in the above-mentioned vase. The optical filter can be appropriately selected to transmit the necessary wavelengths of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation device (light source) and block unwanted wavelengths. Preferably, the optical filter has a transmittance of 60% or more at 365 nm and a transmittance of 20% or less at 400 nm. Such an optical filter is preferably used in conjunction with an ultraviolet irradiation device (light source) that emits ultraviolet light with a central wavelength of 360 to 370 nm. [Examples]

[0033] The present invention will be described more specifically below based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0034] A 0.5% by mass aqueous solution of H acid was prepared. This aqueous solution was filtered using a disc syringe filter (pore diameter 0.45 μm) to remove insoluble components and obtain a staining solution.

[0035] (Evaluation of luminescence) The following procedure was used to stain the types of cut flowers shown in Table 1 using the staining solution obtained above, and then the luminescence of the stained cut flowers was observed. The cut flowers were removed from the water and laid on a table to dry for 3 hours at room temperature of 23°C and humidity of 25%. The stems were then cut diagonally 3 cm from the cut end using pruning shears, and the lower part of the stems was immersed in the dyeing solution for 5 hours. Next, the cut flowers were removed from the dyeing solution, the parts that had been in contact with the dyeing solution were washed with tap water, and then the stems were cut diagonally 3 cm from the cut end. The dyed cut flowers were stored in a commercially available cut flower freshness preservative solution diluted to the specified concentration. Observation of the dyed cut flowers revealed no coloration by the pigment (H acid) under visible light. Furthermore, the dyed cut flowers were moved to a darkened room and their luminescence was evaluated by illuminating them with a UV lamp (UVGL-25, 365nm irradiation mode, manufactured by Funakoshi). The evaluation criteria were as follows: A result of A, B, or C indicates that the cut flowers are suitably dyed; A or B indicates that the cut flowers are more suitably dyed; and A indicates that the cut flowers are particularly suitably dyed. The results are shown in Table 1. A: The entire petal glowed uniformly. B: The edges of the petals or the entire petal exhibited mottled luminescence. C: Part of the petals glowed. D: We were unable to confirm the luminescence of the petals.

[0036] [Table 1]

[0037] (Evaluation of storage stability) An aqueous solution was prepared by adding 0.5% by mass of H acid and 1% by mass of an antioxidant. This aqueous solution was filtered using a disc syringe filter (pore diameter 0.45 μm) to remove insoluble components and obtain a staining solution containing the antioxidant. L-ascorbic acid or gallic acid was used as the antioxidant. The storage stability of the staining solutions obtained above, which contain H-acid (but do not contain antioxidants), a staining solution containing H-acid and L-ascorbic acid, and a staining solution containing H-acid and gallic acid, was evaluated using the following procedure. First, roses were dyed with each dye solution using the same method as described above. The dyed roses were left to stand for 6 days at room temperature (23°C) and humidity (25%). When a dye solution containing H-acid (without antioxidants) was used, the roses gradually turned a dark color. When a dye solution containing H-acid and L-ascorbic acid was used, the roses hardly discolored and remained aesthetically pleasing even after 6 days. When a dye solution containing H-acid and gallic acid was used, the roses had already turned black after 1 day, and the discoloration continued thereafter, becoming severely discolored after 6 days. Thus, it was found that the dye solution containing H-acid and L-ascorbic acid had the best storage stability, while the dye solution containing H-acid and gallic acid had the worst storage stability (worse than the dye solution containing H-acid (without antioxidants)). It is surprising that even among antioxidants, there are differences in storage stability depending on the type.

Claims

1. A dyeing solution containing water and a compound represented by the following formula (1), used for dyeing cut flowers. 【Chemistry 1】 (In the formula, m, n, p, and q each independently represent 0, 1, or 2, provided that m + n ≥ 1 and p + q ≥ 1.)

2. The staining solution according to claim 1, wherein the compound represented by formula (1) contains H acid.

3. The staining solution according to claim 1 or 2, further containing ascorbic acid.

4. A method for dyeing cut flowers, comprising the step of allowing the cut flowers to absorb a dyeing solution containing water and a compound represented by the following formula (1). 【Chemistry 2】 (In the formula, m, n, p, and q each independently represent 0, 1, or 2, provided that m + n ≥ 1 and p + q ≥ 1.)

5. The method for dyeing cut flowers according to claim 4, wherein the compound represented by formula (1) contains H acid.

6. The method for dyeing cut flowers according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the dyeing solution further contains ascorbic acid.

7. A vase containing cut flowers stained with the compound represented by the following formula (1). 【Transformation 3】 (In the formula, m, n, p, and q each independently represent 0, 1, or 2, provided that m + n ≥ 1 and p + q ≥ 1.)

8. The flower vase according to claim 7, further equipped with an ultraviolet irradiation device for causing the cut flowers to emit light.

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