No abstract

Natural dyes are soft, eco-friendly, and non-toxic colours for silk fabric, imparting high compatibility with the environment. Among the different natural dyestuffs derived from different parts of plants, the peel of the Parkia roxburghii pod is thriving as one of the potential natural substantive dyes. The study reveals optimization of dye extraction for dyeing silk fabric. Colour strength (K/S) and absorbance of dye extract were evaluated for optimization of extraction and dyeing parameters. The optimized ML ratio (material and solvent proportions) was 1:30 for 60 minutes of boiling at 80°C under acidic medium. Use of natural and synthetic mordants produced different colour patterns giving two classes, YR, light to dark brownish colour. CuSO 4 , lime juice and Terminalia chebula mordants produced better wash fastness and light fastness in metamordant conditions. Dyeing silk with parkia peel without mordant also produces better fastness properties, thus acts as a natural substantive silk dye.