Eco-friendly dyeing of bacterial cellulose using Beta vulgaris L extract
摘要
The textile and fashion industries’ interest in sustainable materials has grown significantly, driven by environmental concerns and consumer demands. Although bacterial cellulose (BC) has commercial potential, its application in fashion remains in the research stage. This study aimed to develop naturally dyed BC using Beta vulgaris L extract and investigate the impact of dyeing on the material properties. BC was bleached and dyed using Beta vulgaris L extract via in-situ and ex-situ methods, followed by treatment with 1% glycerol and drying at room temperature. The K/S analysis revealed that in-situ dyeing of BC resulted in better colour strength (60.35, λmax 540 nm) compared to ex-situ dyed BC (32.56, λmax 550 nm) confirmed by the presence of betacyanin-related peaks. Although the wash fastness of the reactive dyed BC was superior (Rating 4), the in-situ and ex-situ dyed BC showed moderate performance (Rating 3). Notably, a significant colour change was observed in the Beta vulgaris L extract-treated BC after laundering, due to the higher pH (ΔE of ex-situ dyed BC-27.39 & in-situ dyed BC 25.46). Bleaching and dyeing significantly affected BC’s structural characteristics of BC, reducing the crystallinity percentage of dyed BC (62.84–69.69%) compared to that of raw BC (79.76%; p < 0.05). The glycerol treatment has significantly improved the flexibility but resulted a thicker (0.36 mm) and bulkier structure with a higher GSM. However, the tensile properties, abrasion resistance, and stiffness decreased from raw BC to in-situ and ex-situ dyed samples (p < 0.05). Considering the overall characteristics, in-situ dyed BC showed commercial potential owing to its lower stiffness, enhanced abrasion resistance, better strength, and moderate thickness compared to other BCs. Future research should focus on exploring the effects of plasticizers and drying methods on the properties of dyed BC to achieve optimal thickness and performance.