Abstract
Effects of extraction methods and mordant on the colorfastness of cotton
fabric treated with dyes extracted from beetroot (Beta vulgaris)
indigenous plant was studied. Research and Development (R and D)
design was adopted in the study and was carried out at the University of
Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State and at the International Textiles Industries
(ITI), Limited, Lagos, Nigeria. The colorfastness tests were done at the ITI,
Lagos according to the International Standard Organization (ISO,
105/A03; 1993) specification. The extent of color fade or staining was
rated using Gray Scale and recorded with Fastness Test Rating Scale
(FTRS). Data were analyzed using general linear model for factorial
experiments and descriptive statistics. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
was used to test a null hypothesis and Scheffe‟s post hoc test compared
the treatment mean at 0.05 probability level. Findings include among
others; prototype samples were fast to alkali perspiration (3.00± .14) and
dry rubbing (3.00 ±84). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in
the mean effects of dye extraction methods but differences exist (P<0.05)
in mordant effects on the colorfastness of the prototypes. Based on the
above findings, recommendations were made.