Natural colorants from <i>Mimusops elengi</i> fruits: an eco-friendly dyeing approach for cotton textiles

Purpose The growing environmental concerns and adverse effects of synthetic dyes have led to increasing interest in the use of nontoxic, eco-friendly natural dyes for textile coloration. This study aims to investigate the dyeing potential of a natural dye extracted from Mimusops elengi fruit, with the aim of providing a sustainable alternative for cotton fabrics. Design/methodology/approach Aqueous and alkaline extracts were prepared and applied to cotton fabrics both with and without mordants. The dyed samples were evaluated in terms of color strength (K/S), CIE L *a*b* values, wash and rubbing fastness and bonding interactions between the dye and cellulose fibers. Findings The highest K/S value (2.265) was obtained using pomegranate peel as the biomordant. Wash fastness was evaluated using the grey scale, ranging from 4 (very good) to 4–5 (excellent), with fabrics dyed at pH 4 and treated with pomegranate peel showing superior results. The dyed fabrics exhibited bright colors with excellent wash and rubbing fastness, showcasing strong resistance to fading. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids and tannins, which play a crucial role in dye-fabric bonding through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions, improving color retention and durability. Originality/value Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the dye extracted from Mimusops elengi can be effectively used without the need for chemical mordants. This report highlights the use of Mimusops elengi fruit as a novel source of natural dye for textiles, providing a foundation for further investigations into its applications across various textile materials and dyeing conditions.