Nano Natural Dyes from <i>Melastoma Malabathricum L.</i>

Abstract

In this study, natural colours were produced from Melastoma Malabathricum L.’s (Senduduk) plant. The dyes were extracted from the petal part of the plant using solvent extraction method of acidified methanol and methanol. The natural colours were then converted into powder form of nano size scale using a ball mill grinder. Silk fabrics were used as the substrate and dyed using several natural and synthetic mordant. The use of different solvents for extraction and mordant for dyeing resulted in different colour shades on the silk fabrics. The color fastness to washing tests revealed colour fastness to washing ranging from 3 – 4/5 and the change in color ranging from 3/4 – 4/5. The findings will benefit and promote the dyeing and printing industry such as batik manufacturers and local fashion industry in using natural dyes. On the other hand, dyes from plants can also be used as an alternative to synthetic dyes for dyeing natural silk fibers.