Impact of individual and amalgamating natural dyes on cellulosic fabrics and comparison of their properties and antimicrobial activity

Abstract

Our study compares the impact of two different natural dyes on cellulosic fabrics i.e., banana cotton 50:50 (Musa acuminata x Gossypium) and bamboo cotton 50:50 (Bambusa vulgaris x Gossypium). As these fabrics are natural fibres, they have a number of favourable properties when compared to artificial fibres, particularly that they are biodegradable. Selected fabrics were dyed using natural dyes derived from Rubia tinctorum L. (madder), and Punica granatum L. (pomegranate). The roots of madder and the peel of pomegranate were selected for the dyeing process. Madder was used separately for dyeing the fabrics and it was also then combined with pomegranate to compare its impact on the fabrics. The impact of the natural dye on the cellulosic fabrics was analysed by evaluating their physical strength, chemical composition, fabric surface morphology and anti-microbial activity.