Extraction and characterisation of natural dye from orange peel for textile applications

Abstract

Awareness of the need to protect the environment and people's health has led to an intensification of concerns for obtaining sustainable products and processes. Toxic waste created during the production and use of synthetic dyes has an impact on both human and environmental health. As a result, natural dyes are more secure and safer than synthetic dyes. This study is significant because it has the potential to help develop sustainable and environmentally friendly textile dyeing techniques. In this study, a natural dye was successfully extracted from orange peel (Citrus recticulata Rutaceae) which was applied on textile fibre and was found to be partly effective for eco-friendly dyeing applications. The extracted dye does not have a good wash fastness, which is the ability of the fabric to retain its colour after washing. This weakness is demonstrated by carrying out a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis where the potential binding mechanisms between the dye and the textile fibres was revealed. Different functional groups can interact with the fibre’s functional groups, affecting the dye's affinity for the fabric and its overall colour fastness properties. Findings show that dyes from orange peels showed promise in this study, but need to be improved further. Therefore, the study suggests that further research is needed to optimize the dyeing process and improve the fabric's resistance to washing and other environmental factors.