OBTAINING COLORED ANTIOXIDANT COTTON AND COTTON/LINEN FABRICS USING GREEN TEA AQUEOUS EXTRACT

Abstract

Green tea aqueous extract was prepared and characterized regarding total flavonoids and total phenolic contents as well as antioxidant activity (assessed by ABTS method). The characterized aqueous extract was used for dyeing and functionalization of 100% cotton and cotton/linen (47%/53% and 70%/30%) fabrics. Fabric color strength (K/S) values and their antioxidant activities before and after washing were compared. The obtained results revealed that 100% cotton (GTI), 47%/53% cotton/linen (GTII), and 70%/30% cotton/linen (GTIII) fabrics have K/S values ranging between 8.33 and 10.85. After one washing cycle, these values decreased significantly. On the other hand, dyed fabrics showed excellent (100 %) ABTS radical scavenging ability which remained excellent (GTII) or decreased to medium (GTI and GTIII) levels after one washing cycle. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that 47%/53% cotton/linen fabric is the most suitable for functional clothing capable of trapping the free radial of oxygen species. The current paper represents a step towards a more sustainable textile industry that could undoubtedly contribute to overcoming the environmental problems caused by the textile industry.