Cotton fabrics dyed using extracts of eight tropical plants combat pneumonia- and abscess-causing bacteria based on initial findings of a study by researchers at the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI).

Quantitative test of the fabrics against Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that could cause abscess and boils and could infect the nose and skin, resulted in 69 to 99 percent reduction in said bacteria. This means that naturally dyed fabrics could inhibit bacterial growth or destroy bacteria altogether. Crude extracts of mayana (Coleus blumei) leaves, mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) bark, young coconut (Cocos nucifera) husks, talisay (Terminalia catappa) leaves, turmeric (Curcuma longga) rhizomes, annatto (Bixa orellana) seeds, tamarind (Tamarindus indica) bark, and indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) leaves were applied to knitted cotton fabrics. The fabrics were washed thoroughly and air dried before evaluating using the AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) Test Method 100-2004 or the Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials to determine the naturally dyed fabrics’ activity against staphylococcus and AATCC Test Method 147-2004 or the Parallel Streak Method for Klebsiela pneumoniae. 

PTRI researchers—Julius L. Leaño Jr., Jenice P. Malabanan, Jeannie Lynn J. Cabansag, Rudy C. Fenoy, and Cristina H. Andrade—prepared the poster based on said study and presented this at the 10th Science Council of Asia (SCA) Conference held on June 13–16, 2010 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. 

Another PTRI poster, this time based on the study on colorfastness of textiles dyed with young coconut husks by Leaño, was displayed at the conference. Initial results of the study revealed that dyes from extracts of young coconut husks are best absorbed by cotton and blends of cotton-polyester-pineapple fabrics. When tested for colorfastness to laundering or the degree of change in color and staining when washed in soap and water, the naturally dyed fabrics got a 4 to 4.5 rating, which means that a slight change in color occurred without staining. The highest rating possible is 5. Colors produced from young coconut husks vary from pink to mauve pink. 

PTRI is the Department of Science and Technology’s lead institute in textile research and development. (Arlene R. Obmerga, S&T Media Service)