Antibacterial Property of Cotton Fabric Dyed with Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. Leaves

Vaccinium bracteatum Thumb. leaves have a variety of nutritional values and physiological functions, and are rich in useful resources. In this study, these leaves were used as a raw material to make vegetable dyes. Cotton fabric was then dyed with them by the direct staining method. Good dyeing effects and antibacterial properties of the resulting fabrics could be obtained using an optimized dyeing process. The antibacterial properties of the fabric were directly proportional to the dye uptake (K/S value) of the fabric. To improve dyeing, mordant and chitosan were used separately to pretreat the cotton fabrics. The K/S value and antibacterial properties of the pretreated dyed cotton fabrics were improved after pretreatment.