Journal of Textile Science and Technology

Journal of Textile Science and Technology

Eco-Friendly Dyeing of Cotton Fabric with Anthocyanins Extracted from Red Cabbage: Optimization of the Extraction Process and Comparative Evaluation of Natural and Metallic Mordants

Document Type : Research/ Original/ Regular Article

Authors
Department of Art, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
Abstract
In this study, anthocyanins extracted from red cabbage were employed as natural dye for dyeing cotton fabrics. To optimize the dye extraction process, a factorial experimental design was applied to investigate the effects of three independent variables: extraction solvent (distilled water, ethanol, methanol, citric acid, and sodium hydroxide), extraction temperature (40°C, 60°C, and 90°C), and extraction time (1, 2, and 4 hours). After analyzing the color strength (K/S) of dyed cotton fabrics obtained from each extract, the optimal extraction condition was identified. Subsequently, the extract obtained under optimal conditions was used for dyeing in the presence of both metallic mordants (tin and aluminum) and natural mordants (pomegranate rind and sumac). The results revealed that all three parameters, solvent type, extraction time, and extraction temperature, significantly influenced the color strength, hue, and chroma of the dyed fabrics. The best result in terms of color strength (1.96) was achieved using ethanol as a solvent, at 60°C and an extraction duration of 2 hours. Among the used mordants, tin provided the highest color strength (1.96) and color saturation (21.03), while the natural mordants, pomegranate rind and sumac (rhus), yielded warmer and more varied hues, along with superior light fastness (up to grade 6). The light fastness of the samples mordanted with tin and aluminum ranged from grade 4 to 4-5. Also, the results showed that all mordanted samples exhibited very good wash fastness (grade 4 to 4-5).
Keywords

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  • Receive Date 31 July 2025
  • Accept Date 02 November 2025