We often associate the color orange with the orange fruit which is rich in L-ascorbic acid or Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is very good for Life. It helps keep the chemistry of our bodies in tune.
Yet, Vitamin C is not what gives oranges their color. For that we look at another chemical called carotene.
Carotene is also found in carrots and is a precursor to Vitamin A which, as we know, is very good for our eyesight.
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(click on any picture for more information)
Ascorbic Acid – Vitamin C
Vitamin A and B-Carrotene
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There are many other naturally occurring creatures
in Life which exhibit the color Orange.
Let’s take a look at a few…
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Natural Orange:
Alizarin or 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone is an organic compound with formula C14H8O4 that is historically important as a prominent dye,
originally derived from the roots of plants of the madder genus.
Madder Plant
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It was used to dye wool in ancient
Egypt, Persia, and India.
Madder Roots
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In a dilute alcohol solution,
alizarin is yellow at pH 5.5
and red at pH 6.8.
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The roots were used to make a red dye for the English parliamentary, “new model,” army.
The distinctive red color would continue to be worn for centuries, giving English and later British soldiers the nickname of “Redcoat.”
In 1869, it became the first natural pigment to be duplicated synthetically.
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Orange Dye
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In popularity, it’s not easy to think of any big
hit orange movies or songs, but there are a few.
The web tells us of a recent Indian romance/musical movie-play with the name “Orange.” Lots of good dance / music / choreography.
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Many years ago (1971) we had a strange, sci-fi, drama, crime, film called “Clockwork Orange.”
hummmmm, uckkkk!
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In music, a few tunes come to the top of the list:
Orange Crush – by R.E.M., a song reflecting on the Vietnam herbicide called Agent Orange
Orange Sky – by Alexi Murdoch
Orange Colored Sky – by Natalie Cole
Orange Blossom Special – by Johnny Cash
Orange Amber – by The Vines
ColorMe4Life 