Comparison of UV protection properties of cotton fabrics treated with aqueous and methanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum and Amaranthus viridis plants

Abstract

Summary Harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and protection against them have been long discussed. Numerous synthetic dyes, finishes, UV absorbers, and optical brightening agents are present in the market for decades for achieving UV protection through textiles. However, due to environmental impacts of these chemical agents, textile industry is looking for alternatives. In this regard, some natural dyes and plant extracts have shown promising results. However, use of colorless plant extracts as UV protective finishes is still rare. In this study, ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of bleached cotton fabric has been improved by the application of plant extracts with minimal change in fabric's color. For this purpose, two medicinal plants, that is, Solanum nigrum and Amaranthus viridis were selected and bleached cotton fabric was treated with their methanolic and aqueous extracts. Fabrics treated with both extracts exhibited excellent UPF ratings.

A review of UV radiation protection on humans by textiles and clothing

“…The British Standards institute has also developed a standard for evaluating the photo-protection by children clothing. However, the standards developed for evaluation of UV protection of textiles mostly focus on Protection from UV radiation through clothing unstretched dry fabric, which is not the situation in practical wearing (Morison, 2003;Saleem et al, 2019;Nazir et al, 2016).…”

Natural products and extracts from plants as natural UV filters for sunscreens: A review

“…In order to better understand the important role that plant extracts can play in photoprotection, we identified through extensive searches and rigorous screening the most significant data for plant extracts and natural products with photoprotective ability published between 2016 and 2021, which are summarized in Tables 1 and 2 15–53 . The tables include the plant parts used, extraction methods, types of compound, major constituents and main effects.…”

Photoprotection by clothing: A review

“…109 Given VPF ( ) = 1∕T ( ) TA B L E 2 Parameters affecting UPF clothing. 44,57,58,[64][65][66]68,[70][71][72]115 Fabric Flavonoid and phenol-driven photoprotection 118 Grape pomace When used as dye, increased UPF from 5 to 30 in wool and 5 to 25 in cotton 101,103 High phenol concentration 103 Solanum nigrum UPF of 30+ at 1 g/L and UPF of 40+ at 2 g/L concentrated with methanol 104 Flavonoids and phenols absorb UVB radiation [119][120][121] Amaranthus viridis UPF of 58.8 at 1 g/L and UPF of 100+ concentrated with methanol 104 Flavonoids and phenol-driven photoprotection 104 Marigold flower Increased wool UPF from approximately 6.85 to 50+ 105 Carotenoids which have antioxidant properties and increased dye concentration and color contributed to increased UPF 105,122 the potential harmful effects of VL, research into textile technologies increasing VPF is warranted.…”

“…The proposed photoprotective mechanism of grape pomace is its high phenol concentration, and similarly to helichrysum, grape pomace has been suggested to have antioxidant activity 102,103 . Solanum nigrum and Amaranthus viridis, two plant species with high phenol and flavonoid concentrations, have been shown to increase UPF in a dose‐dependent manner in the UVA and UVB range 104 . In addition, the marigold flower and tomato vegetable byproducts have been reported to increase clothing UPF 105,106 …”

“…102,103 Solanum nigrum and Amaranthus viridis, two plant species with high phenol and flavonoid concentrations, have been shown to increase UPF in a dose-dependent manner in the UVA and UVB range. 104 In addition, the marigold flower and tomato vegetable byproducts have been reported to increase clothing UPF. 105,106…”