Extraction and antibacterial activity of Pulicaria gnaphalodes as a natural colorant: Characterization and application on wool fibers

Abstract

Pulicaria gnaphalodes has various biological activities and is used as an herbal plant in traditional medicine. The major components of the aqueous extract of this plant are flavonoids, terpenoids and phenolic compounds which could be a good candidate for dyeing of wool fibers. In this study, the aerial part of Pulicaria gnaphalodes plant was extracted and used for the coloration of wool yarns. Firstly, the chemical components of the Pulicaria gnaphalodes extract were identified using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). After that, the effect of dyeing procedure parameters such as mordant concentration, pH of dyeing bath, dyeing duration, and dye concentration was assessed on the color characteristics of the dyed yarn samples. The results and observations indicate that the un-mordanted and alum mordanted dyed samples have a yellow color and their hue angle value is located between Huemax= 89.11° and Huemin=76.49°. The obtained yellow shade at the optimized dyeing condition presented a considerable good washing and light fastness. In addition, the aqueous extract of aerial parts of Pulicaria gnaphalodes presented an inhibitory effect against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria.