Extraction of Natural Dye from Chili (Capsicum Annum) for Textile Coloration

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology
Available Online at: www.environmentaljournal.org
(c) All Rights Reserved
2011 Vol 1 58-63


Open Access







Research Article

Extraction of Natural Dye from Chili (Capsicum Annum) for
Textile Coloration

1 Kulkarni S. S., 2Bodake U. M., 3Pathade G. R.

1,2Department of Biotechnology, Sinhgad College of Science, Ambegaon, Pune-411041, Maharashtra, India
3Department of Biotechnology, Fergusson College, Pune-411004, Maharashtra, India
1Corresponding author: sayali156@gmail.com

Abstract
The synthetic dyes which are of wide commercial importance cause severe atmospheric and
environmental pollution. The present investigation was carried out to extract natural dye from green
chili (Capsicum annum).The main coloring component in chili is oleoresin. The dye was extracted using
solvent extraction method. A mordant is a substance used to set dyes on fabrics by forming a
coordination complex with the dye which then attaches to the fabric. Two mordants - copper sulphate
and ferrous sulphate were used in ratios 1:1, 1:3, 3:1.100% scoured cotton cloth was used for dyeing by
three different techniques-pre mordanting, simultaneous mordanting and post mordanting. Fastness is
the ability of a dye to remain permanent and not run or fade. Color fastness studies on the dyed cloth
were undertaken. The mordants helped in fixing the dye to the fabric as well as improve the fastness
properties of the dyed cloth. Different shades of yellow were obtained from the dye extracted from
chili skin. These different shades are obtained from a single dye using the two mordants in different
ratios. Good light fastness, good rub fastness and moderate wash fastness was observed in fabrics dyed
with the dye extracted from Green chili.

Keywords: Natural dye, Capsicum annum, Mordants, Fastness

Introduction

Natural Dyes have been used extensively since
industrial production, 4 per cent to the country's
long periods. It was practiced during the Bronze
gross domestic product (GDP) and 17 per cent
Age in Europe. The earliest written record of the
to the country's export earnings, according to
use of natural dyes was found in China dated
the Annual Report 2009-10 of the Ministry of
2600 BC (Siva, 2007). Synthetic dyes are
Textiles. The natural dyes are clinically safer
produced from cheap petroleum sources and
than their synthetic analogues in handling and
show superior fastness properties (Aminoddin
use
because
of
non
carcinogenic
and
and Haji, 2010). The synthetic dyes are widely
biodegradable nature (Aminoddin and Haji,
available at an economical price and produce a
2010). Natural dyes have better biodegradability
wide variety of colors. These dyes, however,
and generally have higher compatibility with the
produce skin allergies, toxic wastes and other
environment. They are non-toxic, non-allergic to
harms to human body (Samanta and Agarwal,
skin, non-carcinogenic, easily available and
2009). Germany was the first to take initiative to
renewable (Onal, 1996; Pruthi et al, 2007; Saha
put ban on numerous specific azo-dyes for their
and Dutta; Siva, 2007; Adeel et al, 2009).
manufacturing and applications. Netherlands,

India and some other countries also followed
Textile effluents are characterized by strong
the ban (Patel, 2011). Consumption of natural
color and high concentration of organic and
dyes is 1% of synthetic dyes consumption
inorganic compounds caused by residual dyes
(Sachan and Kapoor, 2007).The Indian textile
that were not fixed to the fibers during the
industry contributes about 14 per cent to
dyeing process (Adeel et al, 2009). Majority of
58
Kulkarni et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology

natural dyes need a chemical in the form of
2. Materials and Methods
metal salts to create an affinity to the fibers and

pigment. These chemicals are called mordants.
2.1 Materials
The natural dyes which require mordant are
1. Source
called as adjective dyes. Common mordants
Green chili was collected from Market Yard,
used are alum, chrome, stannous chloride,
Pune.
copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate etc. (Siva,
2007; Mahangade et al, 2009; Samanta and
2. Substrate
Agarwal, 2009). Color fastness is the resistance
100% cotton cloth was purchased from
of a material to change any of its color
Prakash Departmental Stores, Pune
characteristics or extent of transfer of its
3. Chemicals
colorants to adjacent white materials in touch
Laboratory grade chemicals- 95% ethanol,
(Samanta and Agarwal, 2009). Generally light
copper sulphate and ferrous sulphate were
fastness, wash fastness and rub fastness are
supplied by Anand Agencies, Pune.
considered for textile fibers.


4. Equipments used in the present
For a substance to act as dye, it must 1) have a
study
suitable color 2) be capable to be fixed to the

Weighing balance (Citizen)
fabric. 3) should not be fugitive after fixing on

Water bath (Neolab WB344)
fabric to be dyed (Saha and Dutta). Pigment

Soxhlet apparatus
molecules containing aromatic ring structure

Hot air oven (Thermo lab)
coupled with a side chain are usually required

Colorimeter (Erma Japan CXL)
for resonance, and thus, to impart color (Mishra

UV Trans illuminator (Bioera)
and Patni, 2011). Various colors are obtained

from plant dyes (Cage). Cotton textile industry

used these cheap natural dyes since the
medieval period (Naqvi, 1980). Capsicum annum
Linn. is from Solanaceae family. The main
coloring component is oleoresin. It is a mixture
of esters of capsanthin, capsorubin, zeaxanthin,
cryptoxanthin
and
other
carotenoids.
Capsanthin is the major color component in
green chili (Patel, 2011) Chili has good heat
stability. It is abundantly found in many
countries
of
the
world.
The
present
investigation aimed at extraction of dye from
the chili skin for its application on cotton cloth.




Fig. 2: Green Chili

2.2 Methods
Solvent extraction was used for extracting the

dye.

2.2.1 Preparation of Raw Material
Fig 1: Structure of capsanthin
The samples were collected and washed

thoroughly
with
water
to
remove
any

impurities. After drying at room temperature,

the samples were ground into powder with the
help of grinder (Win and Swe, 2008).
59
Kulkarni et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology

2.2.2 Extraction of Crude Dyestuff
Table 1: Conditions for Dyeing and Mordanting

100 g of sample was weighed and taken in a
Dye
Mordant
M:L
Temp.
Time
round bottom flask and 500ml of solvent
(ethanol water) was added to it. The flask was
4% owf
2% owf
1:40
80C
60 mins
heated in a water bath at 60C for 60mins.The

solution was then filtered to obtain crude
2.2.6 Fastness tests
dyestuff (Win and Swe, 2008; Goodarzian and
The dyed material was tested for light fastness,
Ekrami, 2010).
wash fastness and rub fastness. The color

fastness is usually rated either by loss of depth
2.2.3 Purification of Crude Dyestuff
of color in original sample or is expressed by
The crude dyestuff is distilled to get 1/3rd of the
staining scale (Samanta and Agarwal, 2009).
solution using the Soxhlet apparatus at 70C for
Light fastness was analyzed by exposing the
3hrs. n this process ethanol is recovered and the
dyed materials to direct sunlight for 24hrs. The
concentrated dye is obtained. The solution is
dyed
clothes
were
kept
under
UV
kept overnight at room temperature for
transilluminator for 10mins. The wash fastness
precipitation. The precipitation in ethanol water
was carried out by washing the dyed fiber with
is obtained by decanting the solution. The
non-ionic soap (1g/lit). The rub fastness of the
obtained particles are dried in the oven
dyed fiber was carried out by rubbing the fiber
overnight at 60C (Win and Swe, 2008;
and checking for fading of color (Adeel et al,
Goodarzian and Ekrami, 2010). Water was
2009; Raja, 2010; Mishra and Patni, 2011).

added in the soxhlet apparatus. By addition of
3. Results and Discussion
water, the boiling points of the compounds are
Different shades of yellow were obtained from
lowered, allowing them to evaporate at lower
the dye extracted from chili skin. These different
temperatures (Chowdhari et al, 2004)
shades are obtained from a single dye using the

two mordants in different ratios. Similarly, red
2.2.4 Scouring of Cotton Cloth
and blue pigments were obtained from crude
Scouring of cotton cloth was done by washing it
indigo
extract
of
Indigofera
tinctoria
in a solution containing 0.5g/lit Sodium
(Chanayatht et al., year) and yellow color was
carbonate and 2g/lit non-ionic detergent
obtained from turmeric dye (Sachan and
(Tween 80) at 50C for 25 mins, keeping the
Kapoor, 2007). Mordants play very important
material to liquor ratio at 1:40.The scoured
role in imparting color to the fabric. The
cotton was thoroughly washed with tap water
mordants used in combination in different ratios
and dried at room temperature. The scoured
gave varying shades.
material was soaked in clean water for 30 mins

prior to dyeing or mordanting. (Salam and
Better color strength results are dependent on
Salam, 2005; Pruthi et al, 2007; Jothi, 2008;
the metal salt used (Kamel etal, 2009). Strong
Vankar et al, 2009; Aminoddin and Haji, 2010)
co-ordination tendency of Fe enhances the

interaction between the fiber and the dye,
2.2.5 Dyeing and Mordanting
resulting in high dye uptake (Jothi, 2008).
Accurately weighed cotton cloth was treated
Ferrous sulphate and Copper sulphate have the
with different metal salts (mordants used-
ability of forming co-ordination complexes (Co-
cupric sulphate and ferrous sulphate).Three
ordination numbers are 6 and 4 respectively).
processes of mordanting were used - pre
Functional groups such as amino and carboxylic
mordanting, simultaneous mordanting and post
acid on the fiber can occupy the unoccupied
mordanting. After dyeing, the dyed material was
sites on interaction with the fiber. Thus, a
washed with cold water and dried at room
ternary complex is formed by the metal salt on
temperature (Pruthi et al, 2007; Jothi, 2008;
which one site is with the fiber and the other
Suitcharit et al, 2010)
site is with the dye (Mongkholrattanasit et al)

Use of copper sulphate and ferrous sulphate

gives high resistance to fading, whereas

stannous chloride or alum do not (Samanta and

Agarwal, 2009).
60
Kulkarni et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology



Fig. 3: Application of Dye on Cotton Cloth


The mordanted cotton cloth was immediately
Good rub fastness was exhibited by the fibers
used for dyeing because some mordants are
dyed using the dye extracted from the green
light sensitive. The chromatophore of the dye
chilli. Complexing the fiber with mordant has
makes it resistant to photochemical attack, but
the effect of insolubilizing the dye, making it
the auxochrome may alter the fastness (Jothi,
color fast. Mordants give different shades to the
2008). Good light fastness was observed in
fabric. Similarly, wide range of soft and light
fabrics dyed with the dye extracted from Green
colors was obtained on silk using the dye
chili. This is due to the formation of complex
extracted
from
flower
of
Spathadia
with
the
metal
which
protects
the
campanulata (Kumaresan et al.,2011). Mordants
chromatophore from photolytic degradation.
are used to increase the dye uptake and to
Wash fastness of the dye is influenced by the
improve the color fastness behaviour of the
rate of diffusion of the dye and state of the dye
natural dye (Samanta and Agarwal, 2009). The
inside the fiber (Jothi, 2008). The fiber dyed with
present investigation revealed that the use of
green chili dye showed good wash fastness.
combination of mordants in varying ratios gives

different shades. Good light fastness and rub
61
Kulkarni et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology

fastness are observed in the clothes dyed by the
Orellanae Linn. International J. Basic And
chili dye. Moderate wash fastness meaning
Applied Sciences, 10 (4).
slight fading was observed when the dyed
6. Goodarzian, H. and Ekrami, E.(2010): Wool
clothes were washed.
Dyeing
with
Extracted
Dye
from

Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Peel.
4. Conclusion
World Applied Science Journal, 8(11): 1387-
The study carried out is significant because
1389.
organic dyeing helps to preserve the traditional
7. Jothi, D. (2008): Extraction of Natural Dyes
art of dyeing and also provides employment and
from African Marigold Flower (Tagates
yields economical and ecological benefits. The
Ereectal) for Textile Coloration. AUTEX
process
of
extraction
and
dyeing
is
Journal, 8(2).
environmental friendly and causes minimum
8. Kamel, M.M., Helmy, H.M And Hawary, N.S.
environmental or atmospheric pollution. Use of
(2009) Some Studies on Dyeing Properties
other mordants may also be considered for
of Cotton Fabrics with Crocus Sativus
improving the fastness of dyed cloth further
(Saffron) Flowers Using an Ultrasonic
research will help to explore the important
Method. AUTEX Research Journal, 9(1).
properties of dye extracted from chili skin. A
9. Katz, D. (2004) Natural Plant Dyes
systematic
approach
for
extracting,
<http://www.chymist.com>.
characterizing and improving the properties of
10. Kumaresan, M., Palanisamy, P.N. and
dye is very important to minimize the cost
Kumar, P.E. (2011): Application of Eco-
investment, for yield maximization and dye
Friendly Natural Dye Obtained from Flowers
purity.
of Spathodea Campanulata on Silk Using

Combination of Mordants. European J. Sci
5. Acknowledgement
Research, 52(3): 306-312.
11. Mahangade, R.R., Varadarajan, P.V., Verma,
Authors are thankful to Principal, Dr. Sampada
J.K. and Bosco, H. (2009): New Dyeing
Joshi, Head of the Department, Dr. Suman
Techniques for Enhancing Color Strength
Sheelavantamath and Lab assistant, Suvarna
and Fastness Properties of Cotton Fabric
Vaidya, Sinhgad College of Science for their help
Dyed with Natural Dyes. IJFTR, 34, 279-282.
and support in completion of this work.
12. Mahanta, D. and Tiwari, S.C. (2005): Natural

Dye-Yielding
Plants
and
Indigenous
References
Knowledge on Dye Preparation in Arunachal
1. Adeel, S., Ali, S., Bhatti, I. A. And Zsila, F.
Pradesh, North-East India Current Science,
(2009): Dyeing Of Cotton Fabric Using
88(9).
Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Aqueous
13. Mishra, P. and Patni, V. (2011): Extraction
Extract. Asian J. Chem,. 21(5): 3493-3499.
and Application of Dye Extracted from
2. Aminoddin, and Haji.(2010): Functional
Eriophyid
Leaf
Galls
of
Quercus
Dyeing of Wool with Natural Dye Extracted
Leucotrichophora-A Himalayan Bluejack Oak
from Berberis Vulgaris Wood and Rumex
African J. Biochem Research, 5(3), 90-94.
Hymenosepolus Root As Biomordant. Iran J.
14. Tiwari H.C, Singh P., Mishra P.K. and
Chem. Chem. Eng., 29(3).
Shrivastava P. (2010): Evaluation of Various
3. Cage Sarah. Dyeing Of Wool and other
Techniques for Extraction of Natural
Natural Fibers with Natural Dyes.
Colorants
from
Pomegranate
Rind-
4. Chanayatht, A.I., Sorasak L. and Suree P.
Ultrasonic and Enzyme Assissted Extraction.
Pigment Extraction Techniques from the
IJFTR, 35: 272-276.
Leaves of Indigofera Tinctoria Linn. and
15. Mongkholrattanasit,
R.,
Krystufek,
J.,
Baphkacanthus Cusia Brem. and Chemical
Wiener, J. and Vikova, M. (2011): Dyeing,
Structure Analysis of their Major Chemical
Fastness and UV Protection Properties of
Components.)
Silk And Wool Fabrics Dyed with Eucalyptus
5. Chowdhari, A.I., Molla, A.I., Sarker, M.,
Leaf Extract by the Exhaustion Process
Rana, A.A., Ray, S.K., Nur, H.P. And Karim,
Fibers and Textiles, 19(3):, 94-99.
M.M. Preparation of Edible Grade Dye and
16. Naqvi, H. K. (1980): Color Making and
Pigments
from
Natural
Source
Bixa
Dyeing of Cotton Textiles in Medieval
62
Kulkarni et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology

Hindustan Indian J. History of Science, 15(1):
Extracted from Mango Bark for the
58-70.
Application on Protein Fibers. World
17. Onal, A. (1996): Extraction of Dyestuff from
Academy of Sci, Eng and Technol, 46.
Madder Plant (Rubia Tinctorum L.) and

Dyeing of Wool, Feathered-Leather and

Cotton. Tr. J. Chem., 20, 204-214.
18. Onal A. (1996): Extraction of Dyestuff from
Onion (Allium Cepa L.) and its Application in
Dyeing of Wool, Feathered-Leather and
Cotton Tr. J. Chem., 20, 194-203.
19. Pruthi N., Chawla G. and Yadav S. (2008):
Dyeing of Silk with Barberry Bark Dye Using
Mordant Combination. Natural Product
Radiance, 7(1): 40-44.
20. Raja, D., Arputharaj, A., Prakash, C.,
Ramesh, B.and Koushik, C.V. (2010): Study
on Dyeing Behaviour of Cotton/Organic
Cotton Knitted Fabrics. Indian J. Sci Technol,
3(7).
21. Sachan,
K.and
Kapoor,
V.P.
(2007):
Optimization of Extraction and Dyeing
Conditions for Traditional Turmeric Dye.
IJTK, 6(2): 270-278.
22. Saha, P. and Dutta, S. Production of Floral
Dyes from Different Flowers Available in
West Bengal for Textile and Dye Industry.
<http://www.chemeca2007.com>
23. Salam, M.A. and Salam, A. (2005): Study on
Color Fastness Properties on to Bleached
Sulfonated Jute-Cotton Blended Fabrics
with Basic Dyes. JTATM, 4(4).
24. Samanta, A. K. and Agarwal, P. (2009):
Application of Natural Dyes on Textiles
IJFTR 34, 384-399.
25. Patel, N.K (2011): Natural Dye Based
Sindoor Lifesciences Leaflets, 11, 355-361.
26. Singh, P, Singh V.V. And Waghmare V.N
Naturally
Colored
Cotton
<http://www.cicr.org.in>
27. Siva, R. (2007): Status of Natural Dyes and
Dye-Yielding Plants in India, Current Science,
92(7).
28. Suitcharit, C., Awae F., Sengmama W. And
Srikulkit K. (2010): Effect of Chitosans
Molecular Weights on Mangosteen Dye
Fixation on Cotton Fabric. J. of Metals,
Materials and Minerals, 20(1):, 27-31.
29. Vankar, P. S., Shankar, R. and Wijayapala, S.
(2009): Dyeing Cotton, Silk and Wool Yarn
with Extract of Garnicia Mangostana
Pericarp. JTATM, 6(1).
30. Zin,
M.W.
and
Moe,
M.
S.(2008):
Purification
of
the
Natural
Dyestuff
63
Kulkarni et al.

---