Natural Dye Extracted from Pomegranate Peel: Physicochemical Characterization, Dyeing of Cotton Fabric, Color Fastness, and Photoprotective Properties

The present study involved characterizing the physicochemical, dyeing, UV-protective, and antibacterial properties of pomegranate peels extract on woven cotton fabric. As a point of departure, the extract itself was characterized using methods such as SEM, TG, DSC, ATR-FTIR, and UV–Vis analyses. ATR-FTIR and UV–Vis spectra were consistent with the presence of polyphenolic compounds that provide a basis for defining the observed coloristic properties of the extract. Coloristic measurements on cotton indicated that mostly yellow to brown colors with good to excellent wash, light, rubbing, and perspiration fastness were obtained. The best results were obtained when the peel extract was used to dye cotton in the presence of Fe (II) and without the need to adjust its pH of 4.06. This dyeing also gave a K/S value (color strength) upwards of 10.3, which is significantly more than values previously reported for peel extracts. In view of continuing interest in identifying natural colorants having dual properties on textiles, fabric samples dyed with the extract were also evaluated for their UV protection and antibacterial properties. UV protection testing indicated that most of the samples gave a UPF value of 15–24, which is equivalent to the category of good photoprotection. However, the dyed fabric did not exhibit antibacterial activity when tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, probably due to deep dye penetration into cotton fibers.