Nano-dyeing of silk with plant-based nanomaterial; a pollution-free production and consumption strategy

Toxic wastewater from textile dyeing poses serious threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to the heavy use of synthetic dyes and auxiliary chemicals. In the current study, anjbar root extract (ARE) coated ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared and evaluated as a functional nano-dye (FND) for pollution-free dyeing of silk. The prepared ARE-coated ZnO NPs as FND were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The silk samples were dyed using ARE and FND (1, 2, 4, 5, and 6%) under pollution-free dyeing conditions. The silk samples dyed with FND (silk-FND) were subjected to washing fastness, rubbing, and colorfastness analysis with silk-ARE as the control. The silk-FND showed significant improvement in colorfastness and UV resistance. The eco-friendly nature of the dyeing nanomaterial was validated by its use in seed germination studies. The wheat seed treatments with FND (1, 2, and 3 ppm) significantly increased total soluble proteins (31-39%), activated the antioxidants (POD (63-81%), APX (37-42%), CAT (42-49%), hydrolytic enzymes (α-amylase (57-94%), and protease (55-99%)). The FND treatments also caused a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (14-35%) and protected the cellular membranes, reducing MDA (24-35%). The FND-mediated positive changes in seed biochemistry proved the growth-promoting potential of the nano-dye. The sustainable production and consumption of the prepared nano-dye offer an eco-friendly solution for the dyeing industry.