Authors Abdou, E.S., El-Hennawi, H.M. and Ahmed, K.A.
Improving the environmental impact and unifying processes because of using one class of dyes in coloring fabrics made of blends of chemical and natural fibers is one of the main trends in the evolution of textile dyeing and printing technology. Recently, there has been a revival of interest in natural dyes throughout the world as some synthetic dyes are being banned due to their toxic, carcinogenic, and polluting nature. Most natural dyes need the use of chemicals, called mordant, to help promoting dye absorption and fixing and prevent bleeding and fading of the colors. Mordants form chemical bonds between the dye molecules and the proteins of the fabrics (wool is generally the best fabric colored with natural dyes). Natural dyes are used for food coloring, painting, and textile dyeing. They have shown a greater interest in textile dyeing because they are more ecofriendly than synthetic dyes. Curcumin (1,7-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl)-1,6heptadione-3,5-dione) is a yellow pigment present in rhizome of Curcuma longa which is widely used in food industry. Treatment of textiles with chitosan which is considered as multifunctional finish not only contributes to its antimicrobial properties but also results in enhancement of color strength thus generating much interest towards chitosan. It is also used as an auxiliary in printing of textiles. It has been reported that the printed samples have comparable color fastness to that of commercial printed samples, but chitosan film on fabric surface is not desirable since it causes the problem of fabric sti?ness (poor handling). Blending of starch with chitosan results in formation of edible coating with a good film forming and mechanical properties; starch must be gelatinized first before blending with chitosan. Hence the aim of the present study is to investigate the combined e?ect of chitosan and gelatinized starch as thickening agent in screen printing technique using natural dye and to explore its antimicrobial properties.
