Antibacterial and UV Protective Effects of Cotton Fabrics Dyed with Reseda luteola Extract

Reseda luteola (Weld) extracts were used to dye textiles and decorate medieval manuscripts. The main components are luteolin and apigenin in the form of β-glucosides, having an important role in plant UV protection, coloration and defense. Luteolin and apigenin have anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The present study investigates the degree of exhaust of dyestuff extract of Weld in the dyeing process of cotton fabrics pre-mordanted with mimosa tannin and tannin/alum, the antibacterial and UV protective effects of dyed fabrics. The UV-Vis spectra of the dye solution demonstrated the presence of luteolin-7, 3'-di-O'-glucoside as the main compound. The highest dye exhaustion in the dye bath is attained for the cotton pre-mordanted with 8% Mimosa and 15% Alum, probably due to the complex formed between the flavonoids components and Al3+ ions. While the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) for the untreated cotton knit is 10, indicating the lack of protection against UV radiation, all the mordanted and dyed fabrics show an excellent protection (UPF >50+) due to the UV high absorbance of tannins and Reseda luteola components. The only samples demonstrating a satisfactory antibacterial effect against S. Aureus are the fabrics pre-mordanted with mimosa tannin and alum and dyed with Reseda luteola extract.