Abstract

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This study investigated the colour properties and acceptability of cotton fabrics dyed with dyestuffs extracted from selected plants, as a sustainable approach to textile dyeing. The research focused on the extraction of natural dyes from Sorghum bicolour leaves and Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces, the development of composite dyes, and the evaluation of both the colourimetric characteristics and consumer acceptability of the dyed fabrics. A research and development design were adopted. A colourimeter was employed to determine the L*, a*, and b* colour parameters, while a five-point rating scale was used to assess the acceptability of the treated fabrics, with a decision rule of 3. Five coded fabric samples dyed with the extracts were evaluated by sixty respondents. Data were analysed using frequency, mean, and standard deviation. Findings revealed that sample HYS4 recorded the highest lightness value (L* = 54.82), indicating greater brightness, while ABS6 had the lowest (L* = 47.00). The a* values indicated that all samples exhibited reddish hues, with SXB1 showing the highest redness (a* = 14.50) and ABS6 the least (a* = 9.13). The negative b* values confirmed the presence of blue tones, with HYS4 being the bluest (b* = –19.21) and SXB1 showing the least blueness (b* = –6.39). In terms of sensory evaluation, all samples achieved mean scores above 3.0, indicating good acceptability across organoleptic attributes such as colour, texture (sight and touch), odour, evenness of shade, and overall appearance. The study concluded that dyestuffs derived from Sorghum bicolour and Hibiscus sabdariffa possess the potential for effective and sustainable dyeing of cotton fabrics, both for domestic use and in the textile industry. It recommended the utilisation of these natural dyestuffs as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes, promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact within textile production processes.

Keywords: Extraction, application, dyes, fabric and sustainability.