Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activity of Fabrics Dyed with Viburnum opulus and Onion Skins

Abstract

Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi can cause serious health and hygiene problems for this reason, products with antimicrobial activity gains importance day by day. As is known, textile products can also provide a suitable environment for the development of microorganisms. In this context, we aimed to develop textile products which can provide antimicrobial and antifungal effect. For this purpose, woolen fabrics were dyed with onion (Allium cepa) skins and juice of gilaburu (Viburnum opulus) plant fruit in our study. The dyeings were carried out without using of any mordanting agent and no prior extraction of the herbal sources was carried out in other words these natural dye sources (onion skins and juice of Viburnum opulus plant fruit) were directly added to the dye bath. Samples after dyeing with these natural dye sources were tested in terms of antimicrobial activity using two bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aeroginosa) and a yeast strain (Candida albicans). Meanwhile the dyed samples were also investigated in terms of obtained colors. For this purpose, color measurement of the dyed samples has been managed and color efficiencies and color values has been collected. After the evaluation of the results, it was observed that onion (Allium cepa) skin and gilaburu (Viburnum opulus) fruit juice had an antimicrobial effect. While the dyed fabric with Viburnum opulus juice showed higher activity on bacterial strains, the onion skin had a higher effect on the yeast. Viburnum opulus provided the highest activity on E. coli, whereas onion skins showed the highest activity on C. albicans. Meanwhile it was observed that different colors can be obtained with the use of these tested natural dye sources.

Keywords

• antimicrobial textiles
• bacteria
• biotechnology
• fungi
• natural dye