Evaluation of the potential of <scp><i>Ganoderma lucidum</i></scp> extract for dyeing and imparting protective properties to fabrics of various chemical compositions

Abstract This study tested the potential of Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract for dyeing and imparting protective properties to diacetate (DA), viscose (CV), cotton (CO), polyester (PES), polyamide (PA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), silk (SILK), and wool (WO) fabrics. The extract demonstrated an half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 298.2 μg/mL, as determined using the DPPH antioxidant assay. Ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionisation‐tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS) identified 35 compounds, of which seven were coloured and contributed to dyeing PA, SILK, and WO fabrics (at pH 2–6) in light to dark brown shades with yellowish tones. Dyeing experiments pointed out that SILK and WO fabrics dyed at pH 4 and 6 exhibited excellent colour fastness to washing (Δ E &lt; 1.6), indicating strong fixation of coloured compounds from Ganoderma lucidum extract. Regardless of the dyebath pH values, PA, SILK, and WO exhibited consistently high colour strength values ( K/S ), ranging between 17.5 to 20.7, 14.2 to 18.5, and 18.8 to 20.2, respectively. Besides coloration properties, antioxidant activity and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of dyed PA, SILK, and WO were evaluated. PA fabrics dyed at pH of 2 and 4 showed higher antioxidant activity (25.4% and 27.3%, respectively) than SILK fabrics dyed under the same conditions (20.0% and 21.0%, respectively), providing slight skin protection by mitigating free radical damage. SILK dyed at pH 2 has UPF greater than 30, qualifying as ultraviolet (UV)‐protective, with minimal loss of UV‐blocking ability after washing. These findings demonstrate the dual functionality of Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract for dyeing and imparting protective properties to PA and SILK fabrics.