Use of Amaranthus (Rajgeera) starch vis-a-vis wheat starch in printing of vat dyes

Wheat is the staple food and is widely consumed. Amaranthus (Rajgeera) has been proposed as an alternative to be used as a thickener in textile printing of vat dyes. Extraction of starch from Amaranthus (Rajgeera) and wheat was done by alkali steeping. In this paper detailed physical and chemical analysis of Amaranthus and wheat starch has been reported. Analysis of both the starches was done by measuring swelling power, paste clarity, crystallinity of starch using X-Ray diffraction and iodine binding. Printing of vat dye on 100% cotton fabric was done using Amaranthus (Rajgeera) and wheat starch pastes. The prints were then analysed by measuring K/S and L*, a*, b* values by reflectance method, bending length, washing & rubbing fastness etc. Results suggest that Amaranthus (Rajgeera) can be used to substitute wheat starch in textile printing. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.