A Simple, Green Approach Towards Detecting Pollutant Gases Using Flower Pigments from Anthurium andreanum

摘要

A simple and green approach towards detecting pollutant gases was developed using flower pigments derived from Anthurium andreanum. A drastic color change was observed when flower extracts, either in solution or adsorbed onto silica gel, were exposed to sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide gas. Only a slight color change was observed for carbon dioxide. These results may be attributed to possible acid-base interaction and bisulfite addition or nitration to anthocyanin pigments in response to pollutant gases.