Extraction of natural dyes from Alpinia blepharocalyx K. Schum. for dyeing of silk fabric

Natural dyes were extracted from the leaves and stems of Alpinia blepharocalyx K. Schum. Analysis of the designed experiment revealed that extraction at a plant/water ratio of 1:20 could reach an optimal production of natural dyes when extraction was performed at 80 °C, for 4 h, under 20 min ultrasound, in the presence of 10 g/l sodium hydroxide, and with two extractions. The extracted natural dyes were applied to the dyeing of silk fabrics using different methods, including or excluding a mordant. It was found that mordants had a significant effect on the colour of dyed silk fabrics. The silk fabric dyed with the pre‐mordant method using potassium aluminium sulphate as a mordant showed a bright yellow with a higher colour strength. The optimal dyeing conditions were reached when the extracted natural dyes were pre‐mordanted with 10 g/l potassium aluminium sulphate at pH 6, and for a 20 min dyeing time.