CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Indonesia is one of the countries that have variety of plants. It has many kinds of

plants like herb, brush wood or other plants that has much functions. One of the

functions that have in plant is can be as dyes for foods, textile, and handcrafts.

The development of dyes, especially in world of food has been progressing with

very quickly. However, some manufactures of food use synthetic dyes because its use is

more convenient, instant, varied and easily to get it.

Beside the positive effects, synthetic dyes have a weakness that very dangerous.

Some manufactures of food throw out his wastes of synthetic dyes into the sea or river

because they haven’t own waste storage. This can make a river or sea become polluted

and contain heavy metals that are dangerous to human’s health when consuming it,

destroy life that live in the sea or river and make the balance of the ecosystem becomes

disrupted.

Therefore, many people are starting to re-use natural dyes. Natural dyes are safer

than synthetic dyes because natural dyes have not chemical substance. The natural dyes

usually made from plants and fruits such as mango leaves that can produce green color,

mangosteen peel that can produce purple color and teak leaves that can produce red

color. But, fruits like dragon fruit and beetroot can be as dyes. Beside as fruits can be as

medicine and juice, they can produce red color.

Can dragon fruit peel and beetroot as natural red dyes for food?

1.2 Problem Formulations

1. Can dragon fruit peel and beetroot used as natural red dye for food?

2. Which red color is better, dragon fruit peel or beetroot?

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1.3 Objectives of Study

1. To know whether if dragon fruit peel and beetroot can be used as natural red dye for

food.

2. To know which red color is better, dragon fruit peel or beetroot.

1.4 Significance of Study

1. To improve the knowledge, especially for the writer.

2. To give information to reader about plants that can be used as natural dye for food.

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