Extraction and characterization of natural dye from thymus vulgaris l and its use in dyeing cellulosic substrate

Abstract

Thymus vulgaris is a rich source of polyphenols such as flavonoids and anthocyanins, which can be used as a natural dye. This study aimed to evaluate the color spectrum of T. vulgaris by combining different parameters such as extraction methods, pre-treatment, mordanting with additives, and metals. The natural dye was isolated from the hot water extract of T. vulgaris aerial part powder and characterized by TLC Chromatography. The results of the study revealed that T. vulgaris could be qualified as natural dyes and give several colors such as yellow without mordant, several green shades with ferrous sulfate, and from green to deep red with copper sulfate. The colors were stable for a minimum of two months with DE<1. The color fastness like the washing and friction resistance is directly related to the specific type of used mordant and rate of additives. In addition to this, the use of the metal-mordants coupled with the additives forms “lacquers” and brings a low fastness. For copper sulfate, the fastness remains good. A wide spectrum of colors has been obtained by modifying the amount of mordant and/ or metal mordant ranging from yellow to green to pink to brick red. These study results extended the application of T. vulgaris as a natural dye like for a cellulosic substrate.