Optimization of Process Parameters for Coloration & Antibacterial Finishing of Silk Fabrics Using Natural Fungal Extract Available to Purchase

This study aims to evaluate and optimize the dyeing potential of fungal pigments for silk fabrics. The fungal pigments were extracted from thermomyces, purified and characterized by using UV-Vis and FTIR spectra and used for dyeing. An experiment was designed using the Box-Benkhen with three levels and three variables using pH, temperature and time as independent variables and K/S, wash fastness, rubbing fastness, light fastness and bacterial reduction (%) as dependent variables and the conditions were optimized. Regression equations were obtained to analyse color intensity, fastness properties and bacterial reduction and the optimum process parameters were identified. The results showed that the optimum concentration of pigments was 2% of the fabric weight and the optimum condition for dyeing was 60°C for 30 minutes at pH 3.