Investigation into the Dyeing of Soybean Fibers with Natural Dyes and their Antimicrobial Properties

The dyeing behavior of annually renewable soybean protein fibers with Madder, Weld and Walnut seed husk, natural dyes, were investigated and their possible antimicrobial effects were evaluated. The results obtained from the dyeing of the Madder on the soybean fabric were compared with those on a wool fabric. It was shown that the amount of the amino acid content of the fiber has a great effect on the final color depth. The unusual change in the color of the Madder on the soybean fabric upon washing in an alkaline washing solution is also addressed. Also, a good antimicrobial activity against the gram-positive bacterium for the Walnut husk and Madder dyes were revealed while the effect of Weld dye was practically negligible. However, these natural dyes on the soybean fabric did not show any significant antibacterial properties against gram-negative bacterium.