Application of germinated maize starch in textile printing

Germinated maize is generally discarded as a waste material. In the present investigation starch obtained from germinated maize has been compared with the starch from non-germinated maize, as a thickener in textile printing. Extraction of starch was done by alkali steeping method. Analysis of both the starches was done by measuring swelling power, paste clarity, particle size, crystallinity and iodine binding. Printing of vat dyes on 100% cotton fabric was carried out using both the starches. The prints were analysed by measuring colour value (K/S and L∗, a∗, b∗ value), bending length and fastness to washing and crocking. Results suggest that germinated maize starch can substitute the non-germinated maize starch partially if not fully, as a thickener in printing.