Extraction and dyeing behavior of natural dye obtained from areca catechu powder waste for cotton fabric

Abstract

Natural dyes derived from plant materials have the potential to replace synthetic dyes due to their ecological compatibility and biodegradability. This study focuses on extracting and characterizing the natural dye from powder waste of Areca catechu and developing a dye recipe for the cotton fabric dyeing process. The ethanol extraction method was used to extract the Areca catechu dye. Two different mordants (Alum and Ferrous sulfate) and two mordanting techniques (pre-mordanting and post-mordanting) at 3% and 5% concentrations were used to set the extracted dye on the cotton fabrics. The dye exhibited a pH value of 4.0, presenting a distinct red-brown hue, and had absorption spectra in the UV-A and visible light regions. The extraction was analyzed by FT-IR to determine the presence of the functional groups in each extract. Dyed cotton samples displayed good colorfastness properties, particularly in washing and light fastness. Color intensity values were measured in terms of color strength and coordinate values. Premordanting the dyed cotton fabrics with 5% Ferrous sulfate proved more effective, leading to optimal color strength. Thus, the dye extracted from Areca catechu powder waste can be successfully utilized with ferrous sulfate to dye the cotton fabrics. The future study of Areca catechu natural dye should focus on the economic viability of producing the dyes commercially.