Utilizing henna and babool bark for antibacterial and UV-protective cellulosic fiber (cotton) treatment

Abstract

The textile processing industry faces significant environmental challenges due to the heavy chemical load in its effluent, including synthetic dyes. To mitigate these impacts, two main strategies are pursued: building effective effluent treatment plants and using eco-friendly dyes and mordants. Natural dyes, derived from tree waste or easily cultivated plants, have garnered global interest in response to environmental concerns. This study investigates the use of natural dyes on cotton fabrics and examines their potential to enhance functional properties. Typically, natural dyes require metallic salts as mordants to improve dye uptake and fastness; however, some natural dyes have limited affinity for fibers like cotton. To address this, the study employs biomordants, specifically henna and harad, to improve cotton fabric dyeability. It also examines the impact of these biomordants on the antibacterial and ultraviolet (UV) protection properties of cotton fabric. The findings indicate that henna and harad-treated babool bark-dyed cotton fabric shows improved dyeing efficiency, UV protection, and antibacterial properties. Henna-treated fabric particularly excels, demonstrating significant reductions in bacterial growth (93.35% for E. coli and 88.07% for S. aureus) and superior UV protection (UPF of 56.89). The synergy between henna treatment and babool bark dyeing enhances dye absorption, resulting in darker shades with higher UPF values. This study highlights the potential of biomordants and natural dyes as eco-friendly alternatives in textile processing, offering a sustainable approach to enhancing cotton fabric properties while reducing the environmental impact of conventional chemical treatments.