Abstract:
Dyes color textiles, food and other commodities and enhances quality and appeal of
product under the competitive market setting. Dyes derived from natural sources have
emerged as an important alternative to synthetic dyes which cause environmental issues.
Therefore, dyeing efforts were made on cotton using extracts of areca nut (Areca catechu
L) , which is a readily available natural dye source at a very low cost in Sri Lanka.
Extracts of Areca nuts were obtained using a water-based extraction method. These
extracts were used as dye on pretreated, cleaned cotton fabrics with inorganic compounds
such as aluminum potassium sulphate, copper sulfate and ferrous sulphate as mordants
which that facilitate dye binding on cotton surface.
Also, antibacterial efficacy estimation conducted on Areca nut dye extract solutions and
Areca nuts dye extract-dyed cotton produced negative results.
Visual inspection of colored fabrics shows that mordants used improved dyeing cotton
fabrics using extracts of Areca nuts. Moreover, use of mordants enhanced shades and
brightness of colors on cotton. Specifically, copper sulphate and alum produced light
colors and on the other hand, darker shades of color were observed with iron sulphate.
