STUDY ON EXTRACTION OF CEPHALOPOD'S INK FOR DYEING OF TEXTILE MATERIALS

Squid and cuttle fish rely for defense on the ejection of dark colored ink. The cephalopod ink contains main constituent as melanin (pigment) besides proteins, lipids, Glycosaminoglycans etc, which is available in varying concentrations in variety of species. Different cephalopod species produce different color ink. Octopus, squid and cuttle fish produce black, blue-black and sepia brown colour inks. Squid and cuttlefish possess ink sac in their intestine which is non-edible and discarded as waste. The ink sac may contain about 45 to 75 grams of ink. The ink possess anti-bacterial, anti-radiation, anti-oxidant and anti-retroviral properties. Application of cephalopod’s ink on cotton fabrics develops colour and imparts medicinal and protective finishes. The review of various research works reveals that there is a better scope for dyeing wool and silk material using sepia melanin.