title: Tyrian purple: the first four thousand years.
abstract: Some of the long history ofshellfish purple is recounted Understanding how the dye is produced from molluscs, the composition of the pigment and the chemistry involved has only been achieved as a result of the advances in analytical chemistry in the twentieth century, but some mysteries remain. Other diverse aspects such as the taste of the molluscs, the actual colour of the dye, the smell associated with the production and even the application in photography contribute to the fascination of the subject.
authors.affiliation: University College London. dha@chriscooksey.demon.co.uk
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooksey
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000266:history*; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D007211:Indoles / Q000266:history*
chemical_list: C553805:6,6'-dibromoindigo; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007211:Indoles
references.citation: Molecules. 2010 Aug 10;15(8):5473-508
references.pmid: 20714309
references.citation: Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(12):2550-4
references.pmid: 21150089