Eco-Friendly Dyeing of Cotton and Wool Fabrics with Avocado Seed and Peel Extracts

In this study, agricultural waste of avocado (Persea americana) was proposed as a natural dye source for eco-friendly and sustainable dyeing of textiles. Woven fabrics made of cotton and wool were pre-mordanted with nontoxic metallic salts; alum and ferrous sulfate and dyed with the pigments extracted from avocado seeds and peels. All samples exhibited very good washing and rubbing fastness grades. Pre-mordanting fabrics with ferrous sulfate provided a different color, a noticeable increase in dyeability and a significant improvement in fastness to light. On the other hand, in case of using alum, only a slight change in chroma and hue was recorded. Based on findings of the study, it was concluded that the extracted pigments have strong affinity for protein fibers and a relatively lower affinity for cellulosic fibers. It was also observed that the samples dyed with peel extract have darker and more saturated colors, a more persistent hue and higher light fastness grades when compared to the corresponding samples dyed with seed extract.

Automated summary

This study explores the use of avocado agricultural waste as a natural dye source for eco-friendly and sustainable textile dyeing. It demonstrates that pre-mordanting fabrics with ferrous sulfate can enhance dyeability and light fastness grades. The extracted pigments have stronger affinity for protein fibers and samples dyed with peel extract achieve darker and more saturated colors.