Natural dyes for textiles: Few New source of Natural dyes for cotton and silk

The raw material used in the present study for extraction of colouring components is obtained without disturbing the plant as the flowers fruits and bark used are bio-wastes. All the dyes extracted can be used for dyeing silk and cotton substrates. Eco-friendly mordants used result in variety of shades, fastness of which is satisfactory, making it viable for commercial application. As all the obtained colorants are free from banned amines and heavy metals these can be considered eco-friendly. In the new era this study offer four new sources of natural dyes for silk and cotton, which can be made use of in cottage/handloom industry, provide value added products and it will give better employment opportunities to rural folks and also promote rural entrepreneurship to develop the rural economy. It also encourages usage of waste lands for cultivation of these plants that yield dyestuff and forestation of plants and provides consequent additional remuneration.

Dr. V. Narayana SSwamy, Assistant Professor, Fashion and Apparel Design, The Oxford Science College, Bangalore, is a postgraduate in Sericulutre (Silk Technology) from the Bangalore University, India. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in silk technology and has obtained his Ph.D in the Natural dyes on textiles.