Ecofriendly Dyeing and Antibacterial Finishing ...

Soyabean Protein Fibre (SPF) is considered to be important regenerated protein fibre for various applications in textiles because of its unique properties. However the lack of antibacterial properties of such protein containing polymers is held as a severe limitation for its applications in hygienic textiles and the need to make it antibacterial is quite intense. A lot of marigold (which is antibacterial), used in Idol worship forms a temple waste and there is tremendous potential to use this waste as a good source of natural dye. In the current study, the tannin mordants were extracted from tamarind seed coats, amla (Indian gooseberry) and harda (Myrobalan fruits) and their application in natural dyeing using temple waste marigold as a dye was carried out. Marigold dyeing using most commonly found alum mordant was also carried out for comparison of the purpose. The dyed SPF fabrics were then evaluated for colour values, fastness properties, antibacterial activities as well as durability of the same. The results clearly indicated the advantages of using such mordants both in case of achieving antibacterial functionality as well as eco-friendliness.