Study on the dyeing effectiveness and the antibacterial ability of cotton fabric 100% using the extract from Muntingia Calabura leaves

In the context of the textile industry, which is the second largest polluter in the world just after the oil industry, the demand for natural components is increasing. And the environmental damage is increasing as the industry grows. This study focuses on Muntingia calabura leaves with the aim of exploring natural colorants capable of dyeing cotton fabric as a substitute for chemical dyes and developing an antibacterial finishing method for cotton fabric. The study employs color extraction methods using Ethanol 60% solvent and Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES), and dyeing is performed using microwave irradiation. Color measurement is conducted using an X-Rite Color i5 spectrophotometer, and color parameters are analyzed in the CIELab. Furthermore, the presence of antibacterial substances on the treated fabric is determined by FTIR spectroscopy, and the antibacterial efficacy of the treated cotton fabric is evaluated against two bacterial strains: gram-negative E. coli and gram-positive S. aureus. The Muntingia calabura leaves’ extract demonstrated the ability to dye cotton fabric with Delta E of 36,53 (Ethanol 60%), 39,95 (DES) and the K/S color strength of 5,613 (Ethanol 60%), 6,576 (DES), along with impressive antibacterial activity, achieving up to 100% against E. coli and 96,5% against S. aureus. The dyed fabric exhibited high rubbing fastness at level 5 for both solvents in dry rubbing fastness and exhibited quite good color staining fastness to washing, reaching level 4-5.