A Study on Natural Dyes Extracted from Eichhornia crassipes and Thespesia populnea Flowers on the Functional and Physical Properties

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, Eichhornia crassipes and Thespesia populnea flowers were collected and composites were prepared using the Soxhlet apparatus. The flower composites were finished to polyester and cotton fabrics by mordants of alum, CuSO4, and FeSO4. The mordants were determined by wash fastness tests such as fastness to washing, alkalis and acids, perspiration, and light. Two common pathogens were tested for synergistic antibacterial activity of flower composites, and the physical tests were evaluated for control and finished fabrics. Alum showed excellent color fastness than other mordants. Alum-finished fabrics showed higher antibacterial activity. In the inhibitory zones, the cotton fabrics were observed as 31 mm and 29 mm, and the polyester fabrics were observed as 30 mm and 29 mm. Both the inhibitory zones are against E. coli and S. aureus. The tensile strength, air permeability, and dimensional stability were slightly reduced on the finished polyester and cotton fabrics when compared with control fabrics. Control fabrics showed no pilling, and the finished fabrics showed slight pilling. Finishes on fabrics showed a slight increase in the GSM of the finished fabrics.