Determination of the color stability of an environmetally-frienlywood stain from saffron (CROCUS SATIVUS L.) extrakts under uv exposure

Abstract

This study was designed to develop an environmentally friendly wood stain by natural pigments from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and determine the color stability of this stain to UV light irradiation. Wood stains derived from saffron were prepared by using pure extracts of saffron and saffron extracts with two kinds of mordants, iron and alum. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Turkish oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) wood specimens were used for the study. After treatment with the stain, wood specimens were exposed to UV light irradiation for periods of 500, 1000 and 1500 hours. Results showed that saffron extract with or without mordants as a stain for wood provided some stability to color change after UV irradiation. Furthermore, it was found that treatments with both mordants resulted in much more the color stability compared to saffron treatments without any mordant.