Color Fastness and Antibacterial Activity Against Superbugs of Natural Dyed Textiles Using <i>Curcuma longa</i> Extract

The study examines cotton and silk textiles dyed with a Curcuma longa (C. longa) extract, focusing on color characteristics, fastness properties, and antibacterial activity against superbug, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). For cotton textiles, mordant treatment did not result in a significant change in color strength (K/S values). In contrast, for silk textiles, CuSO4⦁5 H2O and FeSO4⦁7 H2O mordant treatments led to an increase in K/S values. Color fastness to washing was assessed as moderate to good (grades 2–3), except for silk textiles treated with FeSO4⦁7 H2O mordant (grade 4). Color fastness to acidic and alkaline perspiration was rated very good to excellent (grades 4–5) for both cotton and silk textiles without mordant treatment. All textiles, whether mordanted or unmordanted, demonstrated very good to excellent dry rubbing fastness (grades 4–5). However, color fastness to light was rated poor to moderate (grades 1–2). In terms of antibacterial activity, all cotton textiles – both mordanted and unmordanted – exhibited a 100% bacteriostatic reduction rate against MRSA. Similarly, unmordanted silk and silk treated with CuSO4⦁5 H2O mordant also showed a 100% reduction rate, confirming their antibacterial properties. These findings suggest that textiles dyed with C. longa extract possess promising antimicrobial activity against superbugs.