Colour significantly improves the environment in which we live. Dyes are compounds that add colour to objects by absorbing and emitting light only in certain wavelengths. It is estimated that 7 × 10⁷ tonnes of synthetic dyes, which are thought to be persistent pollutants, are produced and used annually. Natural dyes are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic. The Hibiscus acetosella plant is a potential source of natural dyes. In this research, H. acetosella leaf samples were collected from Kisii County, Kenya. Cold and Soxhlet extraction methods were used upon sample preparation. The extract was characterised using physical tests such as LC-MS, GC-MS and FT-IR and chemical tests. The yield of the dye obtained using cold extraction method (80% ethanol and 0.1% HCl) was 65.44 ± 1.53 mg/g. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts indicated the presence of anthocyanins, terpenoids, flavonoids, phlobatannins, steroids, tannins, glycosides and saponins. The main anthocyanin found in H. acetosella leaves was Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside which eluted at a retention time 22.52 min and with a m/z at 449.0. Besides, some non-polar compounds present were recorded based on the GC-MS data obtained. The present study provides reliable information on dye extraction, percentage yield and phytochemical constituents of H. acetosella leaves.

Keywords: Anthocyanins; Chromophores; Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside; Hibiscus acetosella; Polyphenols;