VIOLACEIN
2H-Indol-2-one, 3-[1,2-dihydro-5-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxo-3H-pyrrol-3-ylidene]-1,3-dihydro-, (3E)-
VIOLACEIN is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.
Regulatory evidence by market
No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.
That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.
Chemical identity and properties
Violacein
Violacein is a member of the class of hydroxyindoles resulting from the formal oxidative coupling between the 3-position of 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one and the 3-position of 1,3-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-one, which is substituted at the 5 position by a 5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl group, where the newly-formed double bond has E configuration. It is a purple chromobacterial pigment that has antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoan, and anticancer properties. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, an antineoplastic agent, an antifungal agent, an apoptosis inducer and a bacterial metabolite. It is a member of pyrroles, a member of oxindoles, an olefinic compound and a member of hydroxyindoles. It is functionally related to a proviolacein. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- 3-[2-hydroxy-5-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-1H-pyrrol-3-yl]indol-2-one
- Molecular formula
- C20H13N3O3
- Molecular weight
- 343.3 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 343.09569129 Da
- XLogP3
- 2.7
- Topological polar surface area
- 101.0 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 4
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 3
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:131914
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL1652263
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID001028415
- PubMed:21779844
- PubMed:8597
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Inventory details for VIOLACEIN
INCI name
VIOLACEIN
Description
2H-Indol-2-one, 3-[1,2-dihydro-5-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxo-3H-pyrrol-3-ylidene]-1,3-dihydro-, (3E)-
Record provenance
- Inventory reference
- 94532
- Imported identity
- VIOLACEIN
- Source update
- 06/09/2016
Annex records for VIOLACEIN
Key data
- ANTIMICROBIAL
- Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.
- ANTIOXIDANT
- Inhibiting reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity.
- COLORANT
- Exclusively or mainly intended to colour the cosmetic product, the body as a whole or certain parts thereof, by absorption or reflection of visible light. All authorised colorants are substances in the positive list of Annex IV to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
Official EU ingredient-name evidence
The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.
Related inventory evidence
Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions
Additional official and scientific sources
11 external databases to check this identity in
Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight
How VIOLACEIN appears in the CosIng inventory
The CosIng inventory lists VIOLACEIN as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.
VIOLACEIN is also tagged with 3 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for VIOLACEIN
This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for VIOLACEIN from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.
Use this inventory page to research VIOLACEIN and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.
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