Authors Gupta,D.A., et al.
The treated fabrics were then dyed with some selected natural dyes such as annatto, onion, pomegranate, indigo, myrobalan, bar berry; and synthetic dyes such as reactive and sulphur dyes. These treated samples were tested for their dyeing characteristics (K/S value, fastness properties, washing, light, rubbing and stain resistance), anti-bacterial, uv-protection, anti-odor behaviors and SEM study. Among the treated fabrics, sodium hydroxide treated cotton fabric exhibited the best properties. Cotton is the most widely used textile fiber in the world. Cotton has a high absorbency rate and holds up to 27 times its own weight in water. Cotton swells in a high humidity environment, in water and in concentrated solutions of certain acids, salts and bases. However, the moist cotton can be easily attacked by bacteria. Antimicrobial textiles with improved functionality have a variety of applications in health and hygiene products, especially the garments worn close to the skin. With increasing world population and the spread of disease, the number of antibiotic resistant microorganisms is rising along with the occurrence of infections from these microorganisms. To address these growing concerns in the environment, research is focused on the use of reusable textiles with durable finishes. The importance of antimicrobial textiles goes together with the rise in resistant strains of microorganisms. In this study cotton (woven and knitted) fabrics were treated with sodium hydroxide, morpholine, and cellulase enzyme followed by dyeing and finishing to improve bacterial resistance dyeing characteristics, UV-protection, and odor resistance. In textile dyeing, reactive and sulphur dyes are widely used because of their high fastness properties. However, the use of natural sources is increasing due to their coloration and functional properties. Hence, some selected natural sources and synthetic dyes (reactive and sulphur) were applied to the cotton fabrics with the chemical treatments. The fabrics tested for their dyeing characteristics (K/S value, fastness properties-washing, light, rubbing and stain resistance), anti-bacterial, UV-protection, anti-odor behaviors and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
