Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
1767962 
Journal Article 
Antibacterial properties and color fastness of silk fabric dyed with turmeric extract 
Ghoreishian, SM; Maleknia, L; Mirzapour, H; Norouzi, M 
2013 
0 
Fibers and Polymers
ISSN: 1229-9197
EISSN: 1875-0052 
14 
2 
201-207 
WOS:000315575500005 
The use of non-toxic and eco-friendly natural dyes on
textiles has received much attention due to the increased environmental awareness in order to
avoid some hazardous synthetic dyes. In the present study, an eco-friendly approach was developed
to impart color and antibacterial properties to silk fabrics dyed with turmeric extract as a
non-toxic natural colorant. The natural colorant was extracted from Curcuma Longa rhizome. Copper
sulfate, ferrous sulfate and potassium aluminium sulfate were applied in a pre-metallization
process as mordanting agents. Antibacterial properties of treated fabrics were evaluated against
common pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-
negative). The effects of dye concentration and mordant types on the obtained color hues,
antibacterial efficiency and color fastness of the fabrics were investigated. The results
indicated that mordanted and dyed fabrics possessed desirable antibacterial properties. Complete
antibacterial activity of the treated fabrics was obtained with 3 %owf (on weight of the fabric)
copper sulfate. It was also shown that increasing the dye concentration could lead to a more
efficient antibacterial activity on the mordanted dyed fabrics. An optimum level of the
antibacterial activity was observed in the sample treated with 30 %owf of turmeric. Furthermore,
the results of CIE L*, a*, b* values, FTIR, washing, light and rubbing fastnesses of the dyed
fabrics were reported. The mordanted dyed silk fabrics exhibited desirable color fastness
properties. These studies proved a direct relationship between the degree of antibacterial
activity of the fabrics treated with turmeric and the metals ion concentration. 
Natural colorant; Turmeric; Silk fabric; Antibacterial properties; Color fastness