Extraction of Natural dye from Eichhornia crassipes leaves

The present study investigates the potential of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), an invasive aquatic species, as a novel source of natural dye for sustainable textile applications. Aqueous extraction was employed to isolate dye from the plant's leaves, which was subsequently applied to pure silk fabric. The dyeing process included treatments with two mordants—15% alum and 15% iron powder—as well as a control (unmordanted) sample. The dyed fabrics were evaluated using a Colour Scan Spectrophotometer to determine colour strength (K/S values) and CIE Lab* colour coordinates. Results indicated that alum-mordanted samples yielded the highest K/S values and displayed brighter, more vivid shades, while iron-mordanted samples resulted in deeper, subdued tones. The findings demonstrate that water hyacinth, owing to its abundant availability and effective dyeing properties, holds promise as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes. This work contributes to ongoing efforts in sustainable material sourcing and waste-to-value strategies in textile processing. Further research is recommended to assess the dye’s commercial viability, long-term stability, and scalability.