Variety and durability of color are presumed as key constrains of natural dyes. So, this
study attempts to investigate the effect of metallic mordants on the color fastness
properties of ecologically dyed cotton fabric using banana floral stem sap. Color difference
was measured in terms of hue (ΔH*), chroma (ΔL*) and value (ΔC*) difference.
Metal ions in residual mordanting bath, dyeing wastewater and level of trace metals
in the finished fabric surface were accessed to justify the environmental safety and
speculate the health risk respectively. Pre-mordanted specimens were dyed at 100 °C
for 60 min. Optical properties of extracted sap were observed by UV visible spectroscopy.
Dye fixation with fiber was determined by FTIR-ATR spectra. Atomic absorption
spectroscopy was employed to determine the trace metals in finished fabric. Effect of
metallic mordants were calculated in terms of color fastness to wash, water, perspiration,
rubbing and light for estimating the color durability. Except light fastness property
almost all color fastness values were 4/5, i.e. very good. Light fastness properties were
improved for mordanting action with metallic salts. The level of trace metals in finished
fabric were within the safe zone.

EB00000003077K

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• Ecological risk assessment and health safety speculation during color fastness properties enhancement of natural dyed cotton through metallic mordants