Dyeing Wool Fiber with Natural Alizarin in a Vat System

Abstract

Herein we report our study on wool dyeing with natural alizarin in a vat system using the Argan’s pulp. Natural alizarin was extracted from the Rubia tinctorum plant using enzymatic hydrolysis and alkaline solution. In order to assess the role of the reducer in the dyeing process, we tested one dye bath without reducer containing just alizarin extract and sodium carbonate solution at pH 8. In the vat preparation using these components, we used Argan’s pulp as the reducer. Under relatively soft dyeing conditions for wool (60°C and pH 8) dyeing in the vat system realized a higher degree of dye fixation and wash fastness.